Stanley Earl Nelson Jr. is an American documentary filmmaker and a MacArthur Fellow as well as a director, writer, and producer of documentaries examining African-American history and experiences. He is a recipient of the 2013 National Humanities Medal from President Obama, and he has won three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Among his notable films are Freedom Riders (2010), Wounded Knee (2009), Jonestown: The Life & Death of People's Temple (2006), Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice (2005), A Place of Our Own (2004), The Murder of Emmett Till (2003), and The Black Press: Soldiers without Swords (1998).

Nelson’s connection to CCNY began when his mother A’lelia served as a librarian at CCNY. Nelson attended Beloit College, NYU, Morris Brown College, and Hunter College, eventually graduating from CCNY with a BFA in 1976.

The Dortort Lecture in the Dramatic Arts was endowed in 2004 by David Dortort (1916-2010), the famed Hollywood screenwriter, executive producer, and 1936 CCNY alumnus. He sought to bring to his alma mater the most creative and talented writers, directors, and other artists from stage, film and television. The annual lectures aim to provide thought-provoking insights on the media, the creative process and artistic and political issues. Dortort was the creator, writer and executive producer of “Bonanza,” one of the longest-running primetime dramatic series in television history, lasting 14 years. He also created, wrote and produced “The High Chaparral,” the first primetime series to feature Latino characters in starring roles. Dortort’s film credits include “The Lusty Men,” “Reprisal,” “Cry in the Night,” “The Big Land,” and “Clash by Night.” He received the Motion Picture and Television Foundation’s Golden Boot Award for Distinguished Work in Western Films and Television in 1999.