Senate Resolution No. 976

BY: Senator WEBB

RECOGNIZING Lisa Cortes for her valuable
contributions to the film, television, music, and
entertainment industries

WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this Legislative Body to recognize
and acknowledge those distinguished citizens who, by means of their
knowledge, passion, and dedication, reach admirable levels of success in
their careers, while simultaneously strengthening the cultural fabric of
this great State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize Lisa Cortes for her valuable contributions to the film,
television, music, and entertainment industries; and

WHEREAS, An alumnus of New York Film Academy, Lisa Cortes is a
Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning director and producer renowned
for her bold and empowering art that brings important stories often
hidden out of view to the forefront of the media industry; and

WHEREAS, Originally hailing from Milford, Connecticut, Lisa Cortes
grew up participating in piano recitals and children's theater
productions--both of which instilled a deeper level of confidence and
appreciation for storytelling which have been a valuable foundation for
her illustrious career; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Milford Academy as valedictorian,
Lisa Cortes attended Yale University where she earned a Bachelor of
American Studies degree with a focus on Black literature; and

WHEREAS, One of Lisa Cortes' great interests includes music; working
her first job at the recording label Def Jam during an era when hip-hop
music was growing fast in popularity allowed her to learn and prosper;
she went on to become the vice president of A&R at Mercury Records; and

WHEREAS, A trailblazer at heart, during her tenure with A&R at
Mercury Records, a division of PolyGram Records, Lisa Cortes developed
new recording artists and launched her own music recording label known
as Loose Cannon Records; this monumental achievement solidified her as
the first African American woman with her own label with a major record
company; and

WHEREAS, Following many rich life experiences and a rediscovered
love of storytelling, Lisa Cortes became the founder and president of
Cortes Filmworks--a New York City based multimedia production company
committed to telling complex, powerful stories from new perspectives,
elevating the talent often overlooked by the mainstream media; and

WHEREAS, Cortes Filmworks, under the able and insightful leadership
of Lisa Cortes, aims to produce scripted and unscripted properties
spanning music, social justice, crime, and other notable topics; and

WHEREAS, The portfolio of films by Cortes Filmworks include: "Little
Richard: I am Everything"; "The Space Race"; "Invisible Beauty"; "The
Melt Goes on Forever"; "All In: The Fight for Democracy"; "The Apollo";
"The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion"; "The Woodsman"; and "Precious"; and

WHEREAS, Lisa Cortes' film productions have received over 80
international awards and nominations, and in 2023, the Black Film
Critics Circle selected her for its Pioneer Award; and

WHEREAS, In acknowledgement of her admirable talent, Lisa Cortes has
been featured at world-renowned film festivals, including Sundance Film
Festival and Tribeca Film Festival; the masterful works she helped
direct and produce--"Little Richard: I Am Everything," "Invisible
Beauty," and "The Space Race,"--were honored at Sundance with the former
film being chosen as the opening night selection in the U.S. Documentary
Competition--a highly prestigious and commendable accomplishment; and

WHEREAS, Lisa Cortes co-produced "The Woodsman," starring Kevin
Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick (2004); produced "Shadowboxer," starring Helen
Mirren and Cuba Gooding Jr., (2005); and "Tennessee," starring Mariah
Carey (2008); in 2009, she executive-produced "Precious," which won two
Academy Awards, the Sundance Audience Award, and the Sundance Grand Jury
Prize for Best Drama; and

WHEREAS, Further, Lisa Cortes produced HBO's "The Apollo," a
documentary that examines African American cultural and political
history through the lens of the legendary Apollo Theater; the film
earned her the 2020 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or
Nonfiction Special; and

WHEREAS, Lisa Cortes' latest project, a true crime series entitled
"Murder Has Two Faces," shines a social justice light on harrowing,
lesser-known cases that were eclipsed in the media by more notorious
murders; her work aims to bring about justice for victims and confront
biases that exist in these tragedies, especially with BIPOC women and
girls, while challenging the narrative around whose stories get told and
why; and

WHEREAS, For her numerous and invaluable contributions to
filmmaking, television, arts, music, entertainment, advocacy, and social
justice, Lisa Cortes was inducted into the Connecticut Women's Hall of
Fame in 2023; and

WHEREAS, Lisa Cortes' dedicated work in uplifting diverse
identities, stories, and experiences through music and filmmaking helps
promote understanding, inclusion, and justice; her art is a powerful
tool for storytelling, cultural expression, and social change, and
deserves the recognition and applause from this Legislative Body; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize Lisa Cortes for her valuable contributions to the film,
television, music, and entertainment industries; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Lisa Cortes.