Sowande Tichawonna is an award-winning, independent filmmaker and actor from Washington, D.C. He began his career as a production assistant for the PBS series In Other Words with Ossie and Ruby, produced by the late, acclaimed actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.
As a member of the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers (now defunct), based in New York City, Sowande co-founded the AIVF-DC salon, which he chaired from 1994 to 2000. The salon hosted monthly workshops and screenings that covered all aspects of the film and television industry.
Sowande’s credits include serving as executive producer and director of photography for the documentary Straight Up Go-Go (1992), which received critical acclaim and garnered an impressive second place in the Nielsen ratings for its time slot during its television debut in the D.C. market. He also served as writer/producer/director of the short film Talkin’ Shop (2000), for which he won the 2000 Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Emerging Artist. The Mayor’s Arts Award is the highest honor the city of Washington confers on artists.
Sowande won the 2010 Larry Neal Writer’s Award for his screenplay, The New “N” Word. He also produced, directed and edited the short film of the same name, starring Erik Todd Dellums, Rain Pryor and James “JJ” Johnson. The short film received a 2011 Best Diaspora Short Film nomination from the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
As an actor, Sowande’s television credits include a starring role in the Investigation Discovery series, Who the (BLEEP) Did I Marry? He also has appeared in the hit Netflix series, House of Cards and the HBO series, Veep. His film credits include Too Saved and Nocturnal Agony.
Currently, Sowande is in development on the TV sitcom CAPCO, set in Washington, his hometown. He is also co-producer with Darnley Hodge Jr. of the upcoming documentary series, The American LOWS.
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