The SAG-AFTRA New Orleans Local has set the stage for 2025 to be a year filled with opportunities to connect, engage and grow as a community.
On Jan. 11, 2025, New Orleans Local President Jim Gleason and Local Board member Wayne Douglas Morgan made waves at Fan Expo New Orleans, a go-to event for sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming fans in The Big Easy. Amid exploring its lineup of workshops and events, and extensive exhibition and show hall, Gleason and Morgan met and spoke with many of their fellow union members, including Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Thomas F. Wilson, Star Trek’s William Shatner, and longtime C3P0 actor Anthony Daniels and Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian) of the Star Wars franchise. But what was already an exciting interaction became a true display of solidarity and industry pride as everyone took a photo with their SAG-AFTRA membership card in hand.
For Morgan, it gave them a unique opportunity to celebrate a shared passion for storytelling and performance with some of the most beloved names in entertainment.
“Engaging with our fellow members from all corners of the entertainment industry really reinforced the importance of solidarity,” he said. “We were able to proudly display our camaraderie, share our stories and highlight our collective achievements.
“Fan Expo New Orleans is more than just an event. It’s a testament to the strength and unity of SAG-AFTRA, and shows how we support each other in every facet of our careers.”
As SAG-AFTRA continues to champion the rights of performers, events like Fan Expo serve as a reminder of the vital role the union plays in building a strong, supportive entertainment industry.
Fan Expo New Orleans is an annual event hosted by comic con producer Fan Expo HQ. The 2025 convention took place Jan. 9–11, 2025.
Photos courtesy Wayne Douglas Morgan.
Photo: SAG-AFTRA New Orleans Local President Jim Gleason and Local Board member Wayne Douglas Morgan, far right, with ‘Star Wars’ actor Anthony Daniels.
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