Rising Stars: Meet Nollis Dewar of Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nollis Dewar.

Hi Nollis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in St. James, Jamaica, where I was born and where so much of who I am was shaped. My journey has taken me from Jamaica to the United States, through difficult circumstances, unexpected opportunities, and ultimately into a life centered around family, service, storytelling, and creating opportunities for others.

I legally came to the United States as a teenager in 2001. Like many immigrants, I arrived with ambition, but without a clear roadmap for how I was going to build the life I imagined. There were times when resources were limited and doors seemed closed, but those experiences taught me resilience. I learned early that sometimes you have to create the opportunity you are waiting for.

Over the years, I found two areas that became incredibly important to me: working with young people and pursuing film and entertainment.

My work with youth exposed me to young people and families facing some of the same challenges I understood personally such as poverty, instability, limited opportunities, difficult environments, and sometimes simply needing someone to believe in them. That work eventually became much bigger than a career for me. It became part of my purpose.

In 2013, I along with four friends founded La Familia Movements, an organization built around a simple belief: La Familia Es Todo. Family Is Everything. What started as a vision to help people has grown into work that reaches communities in both the United States and Jamaica. We have supported young people and families through education, scholarships and bursaries, mentorship, school supplies, community events, sports, family support, and other initiatives designed to create opportunities and strengthen communities.

Jamaica has remained especially important to me. No matter where life has taken me, I have always felt a responsibility to give back to the communities that helped shape me. Returning to St. James and being able to invest in children, schools, families, sports, and community development has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

At the same time, I continued pursuing another dream: acting and filmmaking. Entertainment is a difficult industry because there are far more rejections than opportunities. I stayed committed, continued auditioning, studying, building relationships, and taking roles that allowed me to grow. Over time, I have been fortunate to work across film, television, music videos, writing, and producing. Every project has taught me something and reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling.

My journey has taught me that where you start does not have to determine where you finish. You can come from a small community and still dream globally. You can experience setbacks and still build something meaningful. And as you become successful, you can reach back and make sure someone else gets an opportunity to move forward. I genuinely believe the best chapters of my story are still ahead.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many obstacles, disappointments, losses, setbacks, and moments when giving up would have been easier than continuing. But through it all, I persevered and still I rise.

Coming to the United States from Jamaica and trying to find my place was a challenge in itself. I had to learn how to navigate a new environment and create opportunities for myself.

The entertainment industry taught me a tremendous amount about perseverance. Acting comes with rejection. You can audition countless times and hear “no,” or sometimes hear nothing at all. You can work incredibly hard and still watch an opportunity disappear. I’ve had to learn that rejection doesn’t define my talent or my future.

Every obstacle became part of the story. Every rejection made me hungrier. Every setback forced me to grow. Every difficult season reminded me that there was still more ahead. No retreat, no surrender.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work lives at the intersection of entertainment, youth advocacy, community development, and family. I’m an actor and filmmaker, but I’m also the Executive Director of La Familia Movements, and I’ve spent years working directly with young people and families.

I’m passionate about building successful businesses and organizations that create opportunities, make an impact, and leave something meaningful behind. Through La Familia Movements, I’ve been able to combine leadership with service, investing in young people, families, education, and communities both in the United States and Jamaica.

I’m known for the films I’ve appeared in throughout my career. As an actor and filmmaker, I’m passionate about storytelling. I love stepping into characters, understanding their experiences, and helping bring powerful stories to life on screen. I’ve worked across film, television, and music videos, while also expanding into writing and producing.

I’m most proud of my personal growth as an artist. I want to continue making great films, building successful organizations, creating opportunities for others, and growing as an entrepreneur and leader.

I want the work I do to have a lasting impact. I want to build. I want to create. I want to serve.

What does success mean to you?
Success is being able to pursue your dreams, seek out new opportunities, and have a genuine sense of achievement knowing that what you’re doing is making a meaningful impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.NollisDewar.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nollisdewar
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/NollisSDewar
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nollis-dewar-77889771/
• Twitter: https://x.com/nollisdewar
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nollisdewar

Image Credits
Arden Shirley
Lorelei Carlson
Brad Amaechi
Lisa Tadeo
Danny Ha