Djimon Hounsou







The purpose of the Djimon Hounsou Foundation (DHF) is twofold:
- Strengthen Africaās intergenerational identity and self-awarenessĀ by reconnecting the Peoples of the African Diaspora with their motherland and celebrating āUnity in Diversityā.
- Combat modern-day slavery & human traffickingĀ to stop exploitation, loss of freedom, and identity, and educate about the causes, stakes and consequences of slavery.
Strengthening Connections Among the African Diaspora.
December 2Ā marks the āInternational Day for the Abolition of SlaveryāĀ as well as the birthday of the Djimon Hounsou Foundation. On this symbolic day in 2019, Djimon Hounsou commemorated the 400-Year-Anniversary of the transatlantic trade with a speech in front of the Ark of Return at the United Nations Headquarters.
On this occasion, the African-American actor and humanitarian also announced theĀ formation of the Djimon Hounsou Foundation. Based in Los Angeles, California, we are a tax-exempt charity dedicated to the mission outlined below.
Djimon Gaston Hounsou Ā born April 24, 1964)Ā is a Beninese-American actor and model.
Hounsou was born inĀ Cotonou,Ā Benin, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, a cook.Ā He emigrated toĀ LyonĀ in France at the age of 12Ā with his brother, Edmond. Soon after arriving there, he dropped out of school and was homeless for a time. A chance meeting with a photographer led to an introduction to fashion designerĀ Thierry Mugler, who encouraged Hounsou to pursue a modeling career.Ā In 1987, he became a model and established a career in Paris. He moved to the United States in 1990.
He began his career appearing in music videos. He made his film debut inĀ Without You I’m NothingĀ (1990) and earned widespread recognition for his role asĀ Cinqué in theĀ Steven Spielberg-directed filmĀ AmistadĀ (1997). He gained further recognition for his roles inĀ GladiatorĀ (2000),Ā In AmericaĀ (2003), andĀ Blood DiamondĀ (2006), receivingĀ Academy Award for Best Supporting ActorĀ nominations for both the latter films. He also played an antagonist inĀ Furious 7Ā (2015). He has been nominated for aĀ Golden Globe AwardĀ and threeĀ Screen Actors Guild Awards. He plays an important role as well in the French filmĀ Forces spĆ©cialesĀ (2011).
In theĀ Marvel Cinematic Universe, he playsĀ Korath the PursuerĀ inĀ Guardians of the GalaxyĀ (2014) andĀ Captain MarvelĀ (2019). Additionally, in theĀ DC Extended Universe, he played the Fisherman King inĀ AquamanĀ (2018) andĀ the wizard ShazamĀ inĀ Shazam!Ā (2019) andĀ Shazam! Fury of the GodsĀ (2023). He playedĀ Papa MidniteĀ in another DC movie,Ā ConstantineĀ (2005).
