COLORS UNITED MEMBERS WHO ARE FEATURED IN THE FILM Oscar Sierra Oscar is one of the original members of Colors United. In junior high school, he had been using his strong leadership skills to organize gang activities such as ditching, parties and car -theft rings. When his Mexican parents were shot in a violent crime, he needed the illegal money to support the family. Colors United helped shift Oscar from gang leader to student body president at Jordan High School in South Central Los Angeles. He helped his sister Jackie get out of her gang activities and go back to school, and guaranteed his younger brother's release from jail by helping him find a job. Oscar now divides his time between college studies, teaching yoga and working as Student Coordinator for the program. Oscar still struggles to keep his past from being in his way to his future. LaToya "Lovely" Howlett LaToya's grew up and lives in Watts. She is the youngest of an African American family of 12 kids. She used to look up to her brother who is a gang member, now in jail. She used to hang out with her homegirls and steal from liquor stores to be cool. She was caught by Colors United founder Phil Simms, tagging her "Lovely" name on a school bench. That incident changed her life forever. During her seven Colors United years, she developed her acting skills as well as self dignity and confidence. LaToya is now going to Cal State LA, and got a principal role in the new television series "Dangerous Minds". Stanley Elam Stanley was a kid that everyone had given up on- his teachers, his friends, his family. He was getting into as many fights as he could, trying to get the attention he lacked at home. His family lived in the Nickerson Garden projects in Watts. His two brothers are members of the Crips, and in and out of jail. His mother became a drug addict and lived on the busy down town streets. Stanley became homeless and used his school steps as a bed. The dancing aspect attracted him to the group, where he has become a great dancer and choreographer. He graduated high school, goes to college, and got himself an agent. He tries to help his mother who is now in jail facing a three strikes conviction. Norma Perez When Norma was stabbed by a rival gang member in Venice, Los Angeles, she finally snapped out of it and left her gang. Her mother was working 18 hour shifts at a bra factory and didn't have time to give her any guidance. School was boring and not "cool", so Norma was looking for an alternative. With Colors United's support she learned to get along with other races and started to imagine a future for herself. A talented singer and actress, Norma graduated high school, got a grant to go to the California Summer School for the Arts, and is now in college. Michael Ford At 14 years Michael already had three Colors United years behind him. Born and raised in the projects in Watts, his mother encouraged him not to follow his brother's footsteps which led him from gangs to jail. Michael listened. Even though his friend called him "sissy" for not joining the gang wannabes, he learned to stay away from trouble and stay in school. Michael starred in an anti-handgun public service announcement on network television, and dreams of going to Harvard. Cynthia "Queenie" Turner Queenie got her name from Phil, as short for "Queen of Watts". She never joined a gang even though they were around her home in the projects. She didn't want to exchange her high heels for sneakers and run in a gang. She was one of the first ones to trust "the white guy" and join Colors United. There she found a safe place to express herself. One of her brothers is in jail for life and her sister is in drug rehab. But that didn't stop Queenie from going to college and working towards becoming a probation officer. Queenie left Colors United when she felt she had gotten the wings to fly on her own.