Michael Skolnik Wiki – Age, Wife, Parents, Kids, Net Worth, Career, Company & BIO
Michael Skolnik is an American entrepreneur, film producer, news commentator, civil rights activist, and motivational speaker. He is best known for his documentaries on social and political issues, such as On the Outs (2004), La esquina caliente (1999), and Without the King (2007).
He is also the co-founder and partner of The Soze Agency, a social impact creative agency that works with companies, non-profits, foundations, and movements. He has been described by the New York Times as “the man you go to … to soften the ground for social change.”
Family & Early Life
Michael Skolnik was born on August 15, 1978, in Mount Kisco, New York, United States. He grew up in Katonah, New York, where he attended John Jay High School and graduated in 1996. His mother, Martha Skolnik, was a lunch café and bakery owner who later became a film editor and worked with him on many of his films.
His father, Simon Skolnik, is an environmentalist and the vice president of the New York State Association of Conservation Commissions. He has a brother, Max Skolnik, who is the founder of Kid Power DC and the director of national programs at the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance.
Educational Background
Skolnik went to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he majored in theater and graduated in 2000. He developed an interest in filmmaking and social justice during his college years.
Career
Film
Skolnik’s directorial debut was La esquina caliente (1999), a documentary about the baseball games between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cuban National Team that took place in 1999. The film premiered on the Sundance Channel and won several awards at film festivals.
His next film was Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius Hook Mitchell (2003), a documentary about a legendary street basketball player who never made it to the NBA due to his drug addiction and criminal record. The film featured interviews with NBA stars such as Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, and Antonio Davis.
In 2004, Michael co-directed On the Outs with Lori Silverbush, a drama based on the true stories of three young women from Jersey City who struggle with poverty, drugs, and incarceration. The film starred Anny Mariano, Judy Marte, and Paola Mendoza, who later became Skolnik’s partner. The film received critical acclaim and won several awards at film festivals.
In 2006, Skolnik directed Lockdown, USA, a documentary about Russell Simmons’ campaign to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws in New York State. The film featured interviews with celebrities such as Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and Chris Rock.
In 2007, he directed Without the King, a documentary about the last absolute monarchy in Africa: Swaziland. The film explored the contrast between the lavish lifestyle of King Mswati III and his 14 wives and the poverty and AIDS crisis of his people. The film premiered at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and won the Special Jury Prize.
Skolnik also produced several other films, such as Autumn’s Eyes (2006), Protocols of Zion (2005), Heir to an Execution: A Granddaughter’s Story (2004), and Entre nos (2009).
The Soze Agency
In 2013, Skolnik co-founded The Soze Agency with Kweku Mandela and Michael Learmonth. The Soze Agency is a social impact creative agency that works with companies, non-profits, foundations, and movements to create campaigns, content, and experiences that promote social justice and positive change. Some of their clients include Google, Amnesty International, UNICEF, Rock the Vote, and The Obama Foundation.
The Soze Agency also runs several initiatives that support artists and activists, such as The Righteous Media Network, The Opportunity Agenda Creative Change Retreats, and The Three Dot Dash Global Teen Leaders Program.
GlobalGrind
In 2009, Skolnik was hired by Russell Simmons to serve as the political editor for GlobalGrind.com, an online destination founded by Simmons and Accel Partners. He quickly rose to become the editor-in-chief and the co-president of the company in 2011. During his tenure at GlobalGrind.com, Skolnik grew the company from 200,000 unique visitors a month to over nine million in 2015.
Skolnik also served as Simmons’ political director, overseeing his social justice and political activities. He worked with grassroots organizers to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws in New York State in 2009. He also wrote extensively about racial justice issues such as police brutality, mass incarceration, voter suppression, and economic inequality.
He was one of the first journalists to cover the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012 and became a close ally of his family. He joined them in their march in Sanford and attended the trial of George Zimmerman. He also joined the board of directors of The Trayvon Martin Foundation. Skolnik left GlobalGrind.com in 2016 to focus on his work at The Soze Agency.
Television personality
Skolnik has appeared as a news commentator and a panelist on several television shows, such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, HBO, MTV, and BET. He has also hosted and moderated events and discussions with prominent figures such as President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Alicia Garza.
Dot2Dot
In 2018, Skolnik launched Dot2Dot, a digital platform that connects people who want to make a difference with organizations that need their help. Dot2Dot allows users to discover and join social impact projects based on their location, interests, and skills. Dot2Dot also provides tools and resources for organizations to recruit, manage, and engage volunteers.
Fundraising & Non-Profit Work
Skolnik is involved in various fundraising and non-profit activities that support social causes. He is a board member of several organizations, such as Rock the Vote, The Gathering for Justice, PolicyLink, The Public Theater, and The Trayvon Martin Foundation. He is also an ambassador for The United States of Women and a member of The Leadership Council of Amnesty International USA.
Personal Life, Girlfriend & Spouse
Skolnik is in a relationship with Paola Mendoza, a Colombian-American filmmaker, activist, and author. They have a son named Mateo Ali, who was born in 2010. Skolnik lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.
Profiles
Facebook: OfficialMichaelSkolnik
Website: wearesoze.com
Twitter: michaelskolnik
LinkedIn: michael-skolnik-4998365
Instagram: michaelskolnik
IMDb: Michael Skolnik
Homepage: newsunzip.com
Net Worth
Skolnik’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million as of 2023. He has earned his wealth from his career as a film producer and director, as well as from his work as an activist and entrepreneur. He has also received income from his partnerships with various media outlets and organizations.
Awards
Skolnik has won several awards for his films and his activism. Some of the awards he has received include:
- Best Documentary Award at the Havana Film Festival for La Esquina Caliente (1999)
- Audience Award at the Slamdance Film Festival for Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius “Hook” Mitchell (2003)
- Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for On the Outs (2004)
- Best Documentary Award at the Tribeca Film Festival for On the Outs (2004)
- Audience Award at the South by Southwest Film Festival for On the Outs (2004)
- Best Documentary Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival for Without the King (2007)
- Best Documentary Award at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival for Without the King (2007)
- Best Documentary Award at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival for Entre nos (2009)
- Best Short Film Award at the Cleveland International Film Festival for Skin (2016)
- Shorty Award for Activism (2018)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | La esquina caliente | Director/Producer |
| 2001 | Last Party 2000 | Director of photography additional photography |
| 2003 | Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius Hook Mitchell | Director/Producer |
| 2004 | Heir to an Execution: A Granddaughter’s Story | Associate producer |
| 2004 | America Undercover | Co-producer (1 episode) |
| 2004 | Back in the Hood: Gang War 2 | Co-producer |
| 2004 | On the Outs | Director/Producer |
| 2005 | Protocols of Zion | Field producer |
| 2006 | Autumn’s Eyes | Executive producer |
| 2006 | Still Standing | Producer |
| 2006 | Lockdown, USA | Director/Producer |
| 2007 | Without the King | Director/Producer |
| 2009 | Entre nos | Producer |
| 2013 | What Would Julieanna Do? | Tape operator (1 episode) |
| 2016 | Broken Tail Light | Executive producer |
| 2016 | Skin | Executive producer |
| 2018 | Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story | Consulting producer (4 episodes) |
| 2021 | On Thin Ice | Executive producer |
