0
Items
$0.00
ABOUT ME
Speaker • Rapper • Actor • Director • Podcaster • Author • Entrepreneur
Multi-Hyphenate Boundary-Breaking Artist and Innovator
MEET LITEFOOT
Gary ‘Litefoot’ Davis stands as a groundbreaking force in entertainment and Indigenous leadership. He was the first hip-hop artist to openly and unapologetically represent Indigenous culture and achieve mainstream success; shattering barriers while building an impressive career spanning music, film, fashion and motivational speaking. As a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, Litefoot has released multiple award-winning albums, starred in and directed numerous films and television productions, and commanded stages worldwide as a keynote speaker.
For over three decades, he has championed Indigenous empowerment through art and enterprise, serving 14 years in executive leadership of national Tribal organizations while building multiple successful businesses. Today, Litefoot continues to inspire through The Litefoot Show podcast, music tours, speaking engagements, and preparing to debut his groundbreaking one-man hip-hop theatrical experience in 2026.
FULL BIO
Gary “Litefoot” Davis is a pioneering force in entertainment, Indigenous empowerment, and executive leadership. A proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation, he made history as the first hip-hop artist to openly and unapologetically represent Indigenous identity in mainstream music-shattering industry norms and paving the way for future generations. Over three decades, he has released multiple award-winning albums, starred in and directed acclaimed films and television projects, and commanded stages worldwide as a transformational keynote speaker, cultural activist, and storyteller.
Litefoot’s career spans music, film, entrepreneurship, media, fashion, philanthropy, and policy advocacy. His creative portfolio includes award-winning performances in major studio films such as The Indian in the Cupboard and Kull the Conqueror, several television appearances including House of Cards and Spirit Rangers on Netflix, and his award-winning directorial debut Strong Hearts: An Indigenous Love Letter to My Sons, which screened at international festivals from Los Angeles to Berlin. He is a seven-time Native American Music Award recipient, an Indian Summer Music Award winner, and has earned honors from the American Indian Film Institute and First Americans in the Arts. His leadership excellence has also been recognized beyond entertainment, including the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Director of the Year Award, the Cherokee Nation’s prestigious Sevenstar Award, and national recognition as a business and community champion.
Equally accomplished in the boardroom, Litefoot spent 14 years in senior leadership roles within national tribal economic and advocacy organizations, including serving as CEO and Executive Director. He was appointed to several federal roles, including serving as an ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy (2015) and Equity in Energy (2020) initiatives, and as a member of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities. As founder of Davis Strategy Group, he advises Tribal Nations, corporations, federal agencies, and global partners-bridging Native communities and mainstream markets to drive economic growth, sovereignty, and long-term impact.
A visionary entrepreneur, Litefoot has built record labels, production companies, multimedia enterprises, and Indigenous-centered platforms. He is the founder of IndigiStudios, a growing OTT media and commerce ecosystem; IndigiProductions, a film and television company focused on Indigenous-led storytelling; and co-owner of Native Business magazine and its national summit. His work continues to redefine Indigenous representation in media, technology, entertainment, and public discourse.
From stages across Indian Country and global venues, to corporate boardrooms and Capitol Hill, Litefoot engages audiences with impactful, inspirational, strategic and transformational messages rooted in cultural strength, lived experience, and actionable change. His years as a recognized Indigenous leader have given him a deep understanding of Tribal governance, community organizing, and cultural preservation. Litefoot’s executive roles have honed skills in strategic planning, program development, partnership building, and organizational transformation and sustainability.
Whether creating groundbreaking hip-hop, directing films, delivering energizing keynotes, or building Indigenous-led tech solutions, Litefoot continues to combine artistic mastery with business sophistication-embodying Indian Country’s original boundary-breaking, multi-hyphenate artist-activist-entrepreneur. Today, he inspires millions through The Litefoot Show podcast, speaking engagements, music, consulting, and the forthcoming debut of his one-man hip-hop theatrical experience-advancing Indigenous visibility, autonomy, and innovation for generations to come.
LEGACY / ACHIEVEMENTS / HONORS
Experience
With 30+ years commanding stages and performance venues everywhere across Indian Country, to corporate boardrooms, to starring in major motion picture studio films and television productions to directing award-winning productions of his own, Litefoot brings unmatched expertise in entertainment, leadership, and cultural transformation. He’s inspired millions through his creative endeavors, community organizing and dynamic presentations that blend Indigenous wisdom, hip-hop energy, and actionable strategies for success and inspiring people to a life of purpose. Litefoot possesses an intimate understanding of Tribal governance, community activism and cultural empowerment. His evolution from entertainment trailblazer to executive leadership positions in national organizations as CEO and Executive Director and subsequently as an administrator of federal programs, demonstrates his unique ability to bridge the complexities of Indigenous tradition and modernity. As a consultant to both Tribal Nations and Fortune 500 companies, Litefoot serves as a rare conduit between Indigenous communities and mainstream markets, delivering transformation that turns vision into measurable results – always with a focus on reclaiming and advancing Indigeneity today and for generations to come.
Skills
A trailblazing creative and cultural innovator, Litefoot has mastered performance, storytelling, music production, film direction, and transformational speaking through three decades of breaking barriers. His entrepreneurial skills—building record labels, production companies, and multi-platform enterprises have demonstrated his visionary business acumen. As founder of IndigiStudios (OTT media ecosystem), and IndigiProductions (film/television), plus co-owner of Native Business magazine and summit, Litefoot showcases unprecedented innovation in Indigenous media and technology. From commanding stages across Indian Country and beyond, to corporate boardrooms, to Capitol Hill, he has developed expertise in engaging audiences by delivering impactful, inspirational, and motivational messages that drive cultural empowerment and community building. His years of experience as a recognized Indigenous leader have given him a deep understanding of Tribal governance, Indigenous community organizing, and cultural preservation. Litefoot’s executive roles have honed skills in strategic planning, program development, partnership building, and organizational transformation. Whether he’s creating groundbreaking hip-hop music, directing films, delivering energizing keynotes, or building Indigenous-led tech solutions, Litefoot continues to combine artistic mastery with business sophistication—bringing together the skills he’s earned as Indian Country’s original boundary-breaking, multi-hyphenate artist-activist-entrepreneur.
Awards
Litefoot is a seven-time Native American Music Award winner including Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist, and multiple Best Rap/Hip Hop Album honors, alongside his Indian Summer Music Award for Best Rap Album. His accomplishments as an actor have earned him the First Americans in the Arts Outstanding Performance Awards for his roles in ‘The Indian in the Cupboard’ and ‘Kull the Conqueror,’ and he has received the American Indian Film Institute’s Best Actor Award for his role in ‘The Indian in the Cupboard’. His directorial debut ‘Strong Hearts: An Indigenous Love Letter to My Sons’ garnered him the Award of Excellence at the Impact Docs Awards, and he received the Remi Winner award at the WorldFest Houston International Film Festival. ‘Strong Hearts’ also screened at prestigious festivals globally from the Edmonton International Film Festival to the Berlin Short Film Festival to its premiere at the SkinsFest Film festival at Los Angeles’ iconic TCL Chinese Theatre. His recognitions have transcended the arts and his excellence in leadership of a national Indigenous economic organization earned him the U.S. Department of Commerce National Director of the Year Award, and he was also honored with the Cherokee Nation’s prestigious Sevenstar Award for achievements in music, acting and business, and Litefoot also received Minority Business Champion recognition from Minority Business News USA. Litefoot was appointed to several federal roles, including serving as an ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy (2015) and Equity in Energy (2020) initiatives, and as a member of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities. Litefoot’s various awards, recognitions and appointments reflect over three decades of unprecedented excellence across entertainment, business leadership, and Indigenous advocacy.
TESTIMONIALS
What our clients say about Litefoot’s transformative impact on audiences in their communities and at their events.
Excellent & Engaging Empowerment
Outstanding 2-Day Conference
“Over two days, Mr. Litefoot blended cultural teachings, combined his personal journey with practical ‘how-to’ guidance in a hands-on training that inspired 100 youth to lead and give back. Our youth designed community projects, developed event logistics, and set concrete goals—leaving inspired, confident, and empowered.”
Jacinda Atencio, Behavioral Health Director, Jicarilla Apache Nation
Professional and Immediately Impactful
Amazing Impact on our Youth
“Litefoot delivered a culturally grounded, age-appropriate training that strengthened confidence, promoted resilience, and fostered connection to tribal culture among our youth. His presentation style encouraged participation and the sessions were engaging and immediately applicable.”
Julie Taylor, Director, Dept. of Children & Family Services, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Get in touch
Let’s Get Connected
The story doesn’t stop here. I’d love to hear from you — your thoughts, your questions, or ways we can connect. Drop me a message below.