Hill Harper is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: Letters to a Young Brother, Letters to a Young Sister, and The Conversation. Letters to a Young Brother was named “Best Book for Young Adults” by the American Library Association in 2007, and to date, his collective work has been recognized with three NAACP Image Awards: Outstanding Literary Work: Debut Author (2007) and Outstanding Literary Work: Youth/Teens (2007, 2008). Hill currently stars on the hit television drama CSI:NY as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes; internationally, CSI is the most successful television franchise in history. He has also appeared in numerous prime-time television shows and feature films, including The Sopranos, ER, The Game, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Lackawanna Blues, He Got Game, The Skulls, In Too Deep, The Nephew, and The Visit. He is the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, dedicated to empowering, encouraging, and inspiring underserved youth to succeed through mentorship, scholarship and grant programs. Hill graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from Brown University (and was valedictorian of his department) and cum laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He also holds a master’s degree with honors from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Hill travels frequently as a motivational speaker and resonates with a wide range of audiences including youth, adults, and couples. Named one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive, he lives in Los Angeles.
RECENT AWARDS AND HONORS
2009
- NAACP, Image Award: Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, "CSI: NY"
- NAACP, Image Award: Outstanding Literary Work: Youth/Teens
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Award of Honor
- Americans for the Arts and the US Conference of Mayors, National Award for Artist-Citizen
- Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, WEEN Award for Community Empowerment
- Men Stopping Violence, True Ally Award for Outstanding Efforts to Promote Gender Justice, Safety & Respect for Women
- Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Gene Siskel Renaissance Award
- Morehouse College, National Award for Philanthropic Service
- UNCF, Appreciation Award for Outstanding and Dedicated Service
- Black Women Lawyers Association, Outstanding Contribution to the Literary Arts Award
2008
- National Surrogate, Obama for America
- NAACP, Image Award: Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, "CSI: NY"
- Black Aids Institute, Hero in the Struggle Award
- Urbanworld Film Festival, Audience Award, Best Film, This Is Not a Test
- African American Pavilion at BEA, Sidney Poitier Distinguished Writer Award
- I Have a Dream Foundation, Dreamkeeper Award
- Talladega College, Activist Award
- Holman United Methodist Church, Youth Advocate Award
- City of Los Angeles, Mayoral Resolution
- City of Inglewood, Mayoral Commendation
- California Legislature Assembly Resolution
- Black Administrators and Child Welfare Inc., Appreciation Award
- ETA Creative Arts Foundation, “Challenging the Energy” Honoree
2007
- NAACP, Image Award: Outstanding Literary Work: Youth/Teens
- NAACP, Image Award: Outstanding Literary Work: Debut Author
- Trumpet Awards, Usher Raymond Altruism Award
- Tavis Smiley Foundation, Youth Advocate Award
- Torch Foundation, L.I.G.H.T. Honoree
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Architect of Inspiration Award
- City of Dallas, Mayoral Proclamation for Community Outreach
- National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), Appreciation Award
- The Fatherhood and Marriage Leadership Institute (FAMLI), Mentoring Service Award
2006
- Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Reclaim Our Youth Award
- Bishop Noel Jones Scholarship Foundation, Youth Empowerment Award
- Sarasota, Florida, Mayoral Presentation of Key to the City