Carla Portillo Whitby

In 1983, Council For Positive Images and Meta/4 Productions' founder, Terry Carter (the first Black news reporter and co-star of the original Battlestar Galactica television series), casts Carla Portillo at age 15 in the lead role as Liz for a dramatic television miniseries K*I*D*S. The acting role allowed her to sign with the now-defunct, but then top Hollywood children's talent agency, Kelman/ Arletta and Associates. In 1985, K*I*D*S wins an Emmy Award for Best Series for Children and Youth. Born in San Salvador, El Salvador in 1967, Carla immigrates to join her parents in Los Angeles in 1972. Raised in Hollywood, Carla attends the local public schools and quickly learns English. At Le Conte Middle School, she is a student in Mr. Robert Crumb's well-known drama class. After her unsuccessful acting tryouts for larger or lead roles in school plays, she is undeterred and auditions for Terry Carter and his production company when they visit Mr. Crumb's drama class. Finally, she gets a g