Still Leading (B10): Louis Gossett Jr.— A New Role Erasing Racism

Rosabeth Moss Kanter; Ai-Ling Jamila Malone

Case | HBS Case Collection | October 2017

Still Leading (B10): Louis Gossett Jr.— A New Role Erasing Racism

by Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone

Abstract

Louis (Lou) Gossett Jr.’s exemplary life included a groundbreaking career in entertainment and a bold and audacious goal to erase racism. From the Broadway stage to television and the movie screen, Gossett earned major accolades in his field, notably becoming the first African American man to win an Oscar (Academy Award) for Best Supporting Actor for his moving portrayal as Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman in 1982. Despite his accomplished Hollywood career, as an African-American male he was subjected to constant discrimination in the industry and in society. Amidst the duality of success and distress in his life, Gossett forged a meaningful life path, marked by resilience and perseverance. In 2006, his desire to make an even greater impact led him to create the Eracism Foundation. Eracism was defined as “the removal from existence of the belief that one race, one culture, one people is superior to another.”

Keywords: leadership; Advanced Leadership Initiative; advanced leadership; entrepreneurship; Change; Transition; Entrepreneurship; Social Entrepreneurship; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Prejudice and Bias;

Language: English

Format: Print

11 pages

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Citation:

Kanter, Rosabeth Moss, and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone. "Still Leading (B10): Louis Gossett Jr.— A New Role Erasing Racism." Harvard Business School Case 318-053, October 2017.

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Still Leading (B10): Louis Gossett Jr.— A New Role Erasing Racism

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