About
Michael
Beloved by family, friends and co-workers, Michael made it his mission and purpose in life to transform society into one of love, equity, compassion and true justice. In his public work, he fought tirelessly for change through art, narrative and policy.
In his private life, he brought people together, he made communities, he was the embodiment of love and he was always supporting everyone’s dreams.
Over his career, he worked alongside influential artists, brands and organizations like musical artist Common, visual artist Glenn Kaino, artist BMike, musician Samora Pinderhughes, Emerson Collective, Sundance Film Festival, Directors Guild of America, Shabazz Center, Values Partnerships, filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, Frieze Art Fair, award-winning filmmakers Ryan Coogler, Raoul Peck, and Barry Jenkins, among many others.
Past initiatives where Latt played key roles included Blackout for Human Rights, a collective of entertainment professionals and artists founded by Ryan Coogler, dedicated to fighting state-sanctioned violence and empowering communities through art; The Hope & Redemption Prison Tour, featuring musical artist Common, to deliver inspiration to incarcerated women and men; a national boycott of major retailers profiting from human rights violations; over 5 years of a star-studded MLK Now event honoring the legacy of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.; and marketing support for the films Fruitvale Station, Till, Killers of the Flower Moon, I Am Not Your Negro, among many others.
At the time of his passing, Latt served on the leadership advisory committees for NeueHouse, Art Frieze and Real Wins and was recently invited to join the Artist Committee for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Tribute Video by Max Joseph and Tanya Selvaratnam
He also received a Certificate of Recognition from the California Legislative Black Caucus acknowledging his significant contribution to Hip Hop Culture and the West Coast Hip Hop Industry. In March, Michael was acknowledged by the Hollywood branch of the NAACP with their Dorothy Parker Ally Award at their annual IMAGE Awards and at the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Special Achievement Awards with their first ever Freedom Award. During the 2024 Academy Awards, he was celebrated In Memoriam during the televised ceremony.
Most recently, New Media Ventures celebrated Michael with their first Changemakers Film Showcase and For Freedoms Congress paid tribute to Michael’s dedicated and compassionate work at their 2024 Summit.
Michael Latt worked to activate equity, justice, artistic expression and mindfulness. The Legacy Fund will continue to collaborate with organizations and individuals who will make meaningful impact with change-making projects. Please sign up if you want to stay connected to Michael’s legacy and community.
Michael’s Memorial Service
INSPIRING CHANGE
Clay
I want more for us
Than a tally of missteps
Than ragged white flags
Worn by the winds of regret
Battered by our worst moments
I want a life as monuments
Not of past failures
But of work to become
A story to pass down
Not merely a relic weathered
In remorse nor a fossil of our broken
Promises and lost faith
For us I dream of clay
Ready for form from which
Old faults are stretched into beauty
Reading List
