As seen in the 95th Academy Awards 2023 Oscars, the screenwriting categories continue to lack inclusivity. Daniel Kwan and Kazuo Ishiguro represented the only two writers of color nominated while Sarah Polley represented the only woman.
By: Women of Color Unite

LOS ANGELES – March 14, 2023 – PRLog — Roadmap Writers, The Writers Lab, and Shore Scripts are the first organizations to publicly release their Annual Transparency Statements per the initiative Screenwriting Contest Transparency: A Call to Action, which was released in June 2022 by Women of Color Unite (WOCU).

Screenwriting Contest Transparency: A Call to Action is an initiative penned by WOCU members Dani Milton, Julia Morizawa, and Via Bia, that addresses bias in screenwriting and television writing competitions, labs, fellowships, and coverage services. The document shares anecdotal experiences that have negatively impacted writers from marginalized communities and demands that organizations increase transparency and accountability about their readers, judging and selection processes, statistics of past submissions and winners, and more. It also demands that these organizations offer implicit bias training to their readers and take steps to redress if a writer receives biased notes.

As of February 2023, forty organizations and individuals have signed the pledge to participate by creating and releasing an Annual Statement of Transparency by early 2023. As of March 2023, the organizations that have released their transparency statements are Roadmap Writers, The Writers Lab, and Shore Scripts.

“As screenwriting competitions continue to pop up exponentially and some of the biggest screenwriting organizations in the business merge and share script readers, it’s more important than ever that writers have an understanding of who’s reading their scripts. Roadmap Writers is proud to be the first company to answer WOCU’s call to pull back the curtain for writers with the release of our first annual transparency report.” -Joey Tuccio, CEO of Roadmap Writers

“The Writers Lab believes in honoring the work of writers, and we work hard each year to ensure that our team gives every submission appropriate consideration – not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we all benefit when writers choose to apply based on a clear understanding of our mission and process.” -Elizabeth Kaiden, Cofounder of The Writers Lab

“This project has been such a beneficial initiative to be involved in – making us more mindful of the everyday actions and activities we undertake. In this time of unparalleled creativity and yet persistent inequality, projects like WOCU’s transparency initiative is helping multiple organizations take meaningful steps toward EDI improvement. Moreover, by working together with a common purpose, there is an increased likelihood that this will substantively change the number and diversity of opportunities available within the industry.” -Shore Scripts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEMBERS OF WOMEN OF COLOR UNITE CREATE THE, “SCREENWRITING CONTEST TRANSPARENCY” WHITEPAPER, TO ADDRESS GENDER AND RACE BIAS IN HOLLYWOOD WRITING COMPETITIONS

LOS ANGELES, June, 6, 2022 — Members of Women of Color Unite (WOCU) have come together to create, Screenwriting Contest Transparency, a whitepaper addressing gender and race biases in Hollywood writing competitions, labs, and fellowships. The document will be distributed to the over 5000 members of WOCU, creatives, studio and network heads, talent and agents, with the purpose of shining a bright light on unfair practices that impact a marginalized sector of writers.

“Women of Color Unite is proud to support these members who have been diligently working on this call for action for many months. Our industry for far too long has existed on the lack of transparency and the lack of accountability in all facets. That needs to end,” said WOCU founder Cheryl L. Bedford.

The Screenwriting Contest Transparency document provides insight into a culture of inequity that limits opportunities for many writers by perpetuating a tunnel vision view of what type of stories, experiences, and voices a writer should have to be considered “good” or “talented.”

WOCU members Dani Milton, Via Bia, and Julia Morizawa were tired of submitting scripts to TV & Film writing competitions, labs, fellowships, and coverage services, with little to no value in the limited or biased feedback.

“The process of receiving contest notes or paid coverage was becoming very frustrating. I often received notes that seemed distracted by the gender and/or race of my protagonists and were ultimately unhelpful, as they failed to consider story, structure, characters or dialogue. I started noticing that my fellow women writers, particularly women of color, were experiencing the same issues. And I knew something needed to be done about it.” — Dani Milton

“For many, screenwriting contests are used as a hard deadline to complete a new draft, or as a silent prayer thrown to the wind. Yet we wondered what would happen if screenwriting contests and fellowships, with their historic long-shot odds and (frequently) opaque judging processes, built their structures with transparency and equity as their first order of business?” – Via Bia

“As a freelance script reader, I am constantly baffled by other analysts who provide notes along the lines of, ‘Nobody wants to see this story’ or ‘There isn’t an audience for this.’ There is an audience for everything and I can absolutely connect with a story even if it’s about a community I don’t identify with. These comments are often targeted at scripts featuring underrepresented groups. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to end.” – Julia Morizawa

The writers came together and after having a conversation with Cheryl L. Bedford, developed a strategy. They did research, a survey, spoke to other writers of color about their experiences, and created a Call to Action, demanding change. They are asking all writers, creatives, studio & network executives, producers and directors to make the #WritersMakingChange pledge; an initiative for course correction.

This is a way to start knocking down walls that have stopped talented writers from working in Hollywood for too many years.

WOCU is asking producers, directors, writers, production companies, studios, and all creatives to take the #WritersMakingChange pledge in support of the solutions proposed in the paper on the WOCU website here. Writers can not only sign their names, but also share their experiences.

For media inquiries, contact Amy Malone, Girl in Charge Public Relations, 323-972-4081 or amy@gicpublicrelations.net.

MEDIA CONTACT

Amy Malone, Girl in Charge Public Relations

323-972-4081

amy@gicpublicrelations.net

Jameela Jamil, founder of I Weigh and Cheryl L. Bedford, founder of Women of Color Unite bring together their two organizations in an important discussion against Sizeism in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES – In celebration of International Women’s Day, I Weigh and Women of Color Unite (WOCU) will present the “Sizeism/Fatphobia in Hollywood” Female Empowerment Panel, hosted by Cheryl L. Bedford, with special guest Jameela Jamil, founder of I Weigh. The two groups will join forces in their activism to combat the marginalization of individuals based on size, race and gender. The event will be a panel on Sizeism in Hollywood, to be held in March, Women’s History Month. This event and others to come will create opportunities to fight against discrimination in an unapologetic, joint venture between two powerful voices standing together. Their views on Hollywood’s unacceptance of women of all shades and sizes makes this collaboration between the two organizations one that will be intentional in their efforts and actions to move the​ needle.

The inaugural event for this joint venture will be held at Soho Warehouse. The panel will focus on the unfair treatment of women in entertainment based on their size. The event will feature individuals from various spectrums of the industry discussing the impact of sizeism, and what actions must be taken to combat the issue.

The importance of this joint venture is the power the two organizations create by combining efforts. Their lack of fear to use their platforms to speak truth and give voice to a marginalized group is a game-changer. They are fierce about their advocacy and determined to push the envelope of change.

About Women of Color Unite (WOCU)/The JTC List

Women of Color Unite (WOCU), is a 501c3 non-profit founded by producer and advocate, Cheryl L. Bedford. It is the largest organization of its kind. Comprised of over 5k women of color, the organization advocates against discrimination based on gender, race, age, size, sexual orientation or disability. It is a social action organization focused on fair access, fair treatment and fair pay for women of color in all aspects of the entertainment and media industries. For additional information about WOCU, visit https://wocunite.org/

About I Weigh

I Weigh is an allyship platform and community of change-makers who come together to share ideas, experiences and ultimately mobilize activism. Through original content, editorial and podcasts, the platform explores social issues that stem from mental health to climate change to the representation of marginalized groups

For media credentials or talent request, contact Amy Malone, Girl in Charge, 323-972-4081, amy@gicpublicrelations.net.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Women of Color Unite (WOCU) and entertwine partner for a horror themed film festival unlike any other. The event will culminate with an outdoor screening on Halloween weekend with horror shorts created by teams led by women of color in the US. Each group will develop, shoot, and deliver short films in 48 hours, October 1-3, to compete for a chance to win prizes and an opportunity for their films to be seen by millions of people across the country and judged by an esteemed panel of industry professionals. The Screening will be held in Los Angeles on October 29, 2021.

Critics from WOCU will narrow the submissions down to 10. Judges will then select the top 5 films from those 10 which will be shown at the outdoor screening. The top ten will also stream on a Shudder platform with the viewers voting for the Audience Winner.

“I wanna thank Nia DaCosta for knocking it out of the ballpark. This event was planned before the release of Candyman, but I know the excitement around this Festival swelled with the success of the movie. Women of Color and really any group that has been pushed to the
margins when given the opportunity in genres that have traditionally ignored them, will put their own unique twist creating nothing short of magic. This was entertwine’s idea and WOCU is honored to have come in as a partner,” said Cheryl Bedford, WOCU founder.

Industry Panel of Judges: Tananarive Due (Author, EP, Writer, Educator), C. Robert Cargill (Screenwriter, Novelist, Podcast Host), Effie T. Brown, (Producer), Fanshen Cox (Producer, Educator, Writer), Jess Carson (Writer, Director), Geno Brooks (Writer, Director, Producer),
Miguel Rodriguez, (Founder Horrible Imaginings Film Festival)

Sponsors: Shudder, Bad Robot, Crooked Highway, Pine Stage Productions, Final Draft and The Micheaux Film Festival

About Women of Color Unite
Women of Color Unite (WOCU) is an LA-based social action and non-profit organization, with over 3000 members that focuses on remedying the inequities that face Women of Color in today’s entertainment and media industries. We stand for hiring parity, fair treatment, and providing resources to Women of Color content creators industry-wide. To learn more about Women of Color Unite (WOCU) visit, https://wocunite.org/

To learn more about entertwine visit, https://entertwine.us

Media outlets are invited to cover this event. Please submit your request to Amy Malone, GICPR 323-972-4081 or amy@gicpublicrelations.net

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Girl in charge Public relations is a full-service public relations firm based in Los Angeles that specializes in media outreach, cause marketing/publicity, D&I consulting, and entertainment PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 13, 2021

Media Contact:

Amy Malone, Girl in Charge 323-972-4081 Direct

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Statement from Women of Color Unite (WOCU): The Evolution of #StartWith8

With great excitement and anticipation, the co-creators and developers of the mentorship program #StartWith8 will be expanding its reach globally. Unfortunately, we will not be moving forward with some of the original team. The vision of the program will continue to live and thrive with Women of Color Unite (WOCU) founder, Cheryl L. Bedford, and her organization.

As we move into a new phase of growth and expansion for #StartWith8, we do so with Program Director, Manon De Reeper, at the helm. From the launch in July 2020, Ms. De Reeper has spearheaded the program with her small team, resulting in almost 1,000 Women of Color being matched and working in the entertainment industry with established industry mentors. This incredible pairing has resulted in: (A) the development of professional relationships and friendships; (B) personalized career referrals; and (C) one-on-one advice and discussions focused on creating sustainable avenues of success in the entertainment and media industries.

As #StartWith8 expands to the UK, Canada, and beyond, we look forward to continuing the cycle of success the program experienced in Hollywood. We are grateful for the leaders, volunteers and visionaries who helped bring #StartWith8 to this point.

It’s now time for the evolution of the largest mentorship program for womxn of color in entertainment and media. We look forward to matching more mentees with mentors not only in Hollywood but across the world, making #StartWith8 an international movement!

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Girl in charge Public relations is a full-service public relations firm based in Los Angeles that specializes in media outreach, cause marketing/publicity, D&I consulting, and entertainment PR

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February, 22, 2021

The successful mentorship program #StartWith8Hollywood, will now expand to the UK with support from the British Film Institute and led by Akua Gyamfi of The British Blacklist.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Women of Color Unite (WOCU) will make available opportunities for hundreds of women/non-binary people of color in the UK to be mentored by seasoned veterans in the entertainment industry.

With the extraordinary success of the mentorship program, #StartWith8Hollywood in 2020, Women of Color Unite decided it was time to expand the reach of the program and give a hand up to women/non-binary people of color in the UK working in film & television. WOCU has established a relationship with the British Film Institute (BFI), which will support the program by offering advice, facilitating introductions and supporting part of the initial setup costs using funds from the National Lottery. #StartWith8 UK Edition will launch in June 2021 and will be led by Akua Gyamfi of The British Blacklist. There are no fees, no trauma essays and no gatekeeping. The program is first come first serve. #StartWith8 UK Edition is aiming to support 600 mentees in its first cycle.

The inception of the mentorship program that has now matched almost 1000 mentees in its first year, #StartWith8Hollywood was born from a twitter moment by Thuc Doan Nguyen and spurred into a movement by Cheryl L. Bedford, Founder of WOCU/The JTC List (The accompanying database of 3000+ WOC Above and Below the Line). Two successful rounds have been executed in Hollywood and have spawned #StartWith8 Canada Edition, and now #StartWith8 UK Edition. Hollywood mentors have to do one substantive act for that WOC based on the needs of the mentees. In less than a year the total number of mentors and mentees is 1151 with nearly 2000 meetings set up for women/non-binary people of color with entertainment industry decision makers. https://www.startwith8hollywood.com

The launch of #StartWith8 UK Edition will coincide with the third round of #StartWith8 Hollywood Edition and the second round of #StartWith8 Canada Edition. In addition to Akua Gyamfi, steering the program, an advisory board has been established consisting of: Melanie Hoyes, Industry Inclusion Executive at the BFI, Sienna Beckman, Emergence Films, Manon de Reeper, Program Director for #StartWith8 & WOCU Business Development Strategist and Jazmine Nichelle, WOCU Director of Events & the youngest Board Member.

“I can’t say enough good things about what #StartWith8 is doing in the entertainment business right now. They’re equipping working executives and creatives in town with the tool kits they need to make a difference, and course correct in a way that we will all notice and feel. I’ve met with all 8 of my mentees at this point and couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds for all of them.”— Andy Horwitz, Executive VP, Atlas Entertainment

The #StartWith8 UK team is currently recruiting UK mentors. Mentors are connected to eight mentees, and they have a one-time meeting. Together, they formulate a plan of action based on what each mentee desires and what is achievable by the mentor to create tangible progress in the mentee’s career. UK Mentors interested in participating, can sign up here: https://airtable.com/shrkpSMIIHzIw4EYp

“Working with the BFI and the Advisory Board just seemed like the next natural step in the evolution of #StartWith8 and the Global reckoning of diversity. Thuc and I are excited that our missions align with our friends across the pond- to open up the world even further for better and more inclusive storytelling for everyone across borders. We are looking forward to the day when we can meet with our UK Team in person,” Cheryl Bedford, founder of WOCU.

#StartWith8 Canada Edition is seeking Advisory Board Members, led by Murry Peeters. Interested parties and sponsors can email: Murry@wocunite.com

“Women of Color Unite and the #StartWith8Hollywood program is revolutionary in every way. The process was so simple and easy, just one form, and no need to write any long and complicated essays about my trauma, hardships, and pain. Access is such an essential part of the industry — and #StartWith8 provided that to me more than any other institution or entity. I found my current representation and have made real organic connections.” –Naomi Ko, WOCU member and #Startwith8Hollywood mentee

About Women of Color Unite

Women of Color Unite (WOCU), is a 501c3 non-profit founded by producer and advocate, Cheryl L. Bedford. It is the largest organization of its kind. Comprised of over 3000 women of color, the organization advocates against discrimination based on gender, race, age, size, sexual orientation, or disability. It is a social action organization focused on fair access, fair treatment and fair pay for women of color in all aspects of the entertainment and media industries. To learn more visit: https://wocunite.org and https://thejtclist.com/.

About British Film Institute (BFI)

The BFI is the UK’s lead organisation for film, television and the moving image. It is a cultural charity that:

• Curates and presents the greatest international public programme of World Cinema for audiences; in cinemas, at festivals and online
• Cares for the BFI National Archive – the most significant film and television archive in the world
• Actively seeks out and supports the next generation of filmmakers
• Works with Government and industry to make the UK the most creatively exciting and prosperous place to make film internationally

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter. The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Tim Richards.

About The British Blacklist

The British Blacklist LTD launched in 2012 is an online platform that celebrates UK based African & Caribbean creative professionals working in Screen, Stage, Literature and Sound – both in front of and behind the scenes. The platform was founded by Akua Gyamfi, who has 25+ years of experience in the entertainment industry, with a career spanning fashion, film, television, theatre, print and online media. The British Blacklist is a media brand dedicated to providing the latest editorial news of British black professionals in screen, stage, sound, and literature and at its heart is its database of the UK’s Black creatives documenting and championing their achievements in a way that hasn’t been done before. Industry partnerships include BFI, The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, BAFTA, BBC, Netflix and more. Recent projects include S.O.U.L. Film Festival.

Media requests can be sent to, Amy Malone, amy@gicpublicrelations.net or 1-323-972-4081.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 9, 2020

Media Contact:
Amy Malone, Girl in Charge
323-972-4081 Direct
amy@gicpublicrelations.net

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Women of Color Unite is a non-profit Organization that advocates for the rights of women of color in Hollywood, and as a result they provide opportunities for its members to present their work to production companies, entertainment executives, studios and networks alike. In other words, Women of Color Unite (WOCU) put’s woc in the rooms. We are proud to announce, out of 30 Bite Size Horror films produced by 20th Digital Studio (now owned by Disney) – two (2) are from members of Women of Color Unite (WOCU).

Last year, out of hundreds of short film ideas submitted to 20th, WOCU facilitated fifty (50) pitches by Women of Color – for many (including one of the 2 produced shorts) this was their first time in the room of a major production company. The projects by Wanjiru Njendu and Alexandria Collins were chosen for production, and now, you can see ‘Stray’ and ‘Reborn’ on HULU starting this month.

‘Stray’ was one of four films on Wanjiru’s filmography that met Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences qualifications, completing her induction as an Academy member.

This is why providing Women of Color access to the creative marketplace is so important.

Both women and their crews were hired off WOCU’s The JTC List, a database of over 1800+ members above and below the line in the Entertainment and Media industries. WOCU Member Kaitlyn Yang provided postproduction services on Reborn.

Cheryl L Bedford, founder of WOCU asks the question, “Okay Hollywood, who wants to make these incredible shorts into features?”

About WOCU/The JTC List

Women of Color Unite (WOCU, pronounced Woke-U) is an LA-based social action organization and non-profit studio promoting fair access, fair treatment, and fair pay for Women of Color in all aspects of the entertainment and media industries. With a collective of 1000+ members, the group actively helps Women of Color get seen and hired in the entertainment industry through its JTC List database. WOCU is completely intersectional and leaves no marginalized group behind. WOCU’s call to action is simple and direct: Hire. Fund. Distribute.

For media inquiries or to learn more about WOCU, contact Amy Malone, GICPR, 323-972-4081 or amy@gicpublicrelations.net.

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Girl in charge Public relations is a full-service public relations firm based in Los Angeles that specializes in media outreach, cause marketing/publicity, D&I consulting, and entertainment PR

Girl in Charge Public Relations (GICPR)
Amy Malone, Certified Public Relations Specialist
909-320-8602 Office
323-972-4081 Mobile
amy@gicpublicrelations.net
www.gicpublicrelations.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                September 17, 2020

 

Media Contact:  

Amy Malone, Girl in Charge Public Relations

323-972-481

amy@gcpublicrelations.net

 

Women of Color Unite and Casting Society of America Publish Reimagine Casting: A Non-White Paper

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – Women of Color Unite (WOCU) and Casting Society of America (CSA) have come together to create Reimagine Casting: A Non-White Paper. The partnership is a collaborative effort to address the exclusion of marginalized groups based on ethnicity, size, disability, color, gender, sexual orientation and age. It is a unified call for increased equity and inclusion in casting.

“Our collaboration with WOCU is an important and necessary step in further moving the casting profession forward to ensure equitable and inclusive practices. The Reimagine Casting: A Non-White Paper offers our members an opportunity to directly pledge their commitment to this important topic and drive real change,” said Mike Page, Co-Chair of the CSA Equity & Entertainment Committee, CSA Board of Directors.

The Non-White Paper presents a powerful look at a culture of inequity that limits opportunities for many actors and perpetrates an unrealistic narrow reflection of society. Supporters of the Non-White Paper include Native Media Strategies, Divas With Disabilities, RespectAbility, Black Muslim Girl Fly, Cineladies, IndieFemme, The Bitch Pack, Chicana Director’s Initiative, and South Asian Women in Entertainment.

WOCU members contributed by sharing their experiences:

“The politicization of my hair as a Black woman in the industry is like being a circus animal jumping thru hoops.” 

“I was told early on that I should change my name because it would allow my reps to submit me for Caucasian roles since I am ‘white passing’, ‘ethnically ambiguous’ and don’t have an accent.”

“I was told I’m not black enough.”

“I was told I’m too black.”

“I was told that because I have an accent, I can play a nurse but never a doctor and that I can play a teacher but never a professor.”

The Equity in Entertainment Committee of CSA and WOCU’s Actors Committee worked together to strategize and create solutions for change that offers a casting process more reflective of the vast society in which we live. We are disabled, athletic, fat, skinny, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Non-Religious, dark, light, queer, trans, young, old, all labels and no labels. No one size fits all.

The publication of the Non-White Paper is the beginning of breaking down barriers that have stopped talented actors from working for too many years and opens up opportunities for casting directors to present talent based on their merits as actors, not from “Cookie-Cutter” Hollywood stereotypes.

“When Studios and Production Companies say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ what I believe they mean is that police brutally ending a heartbeat that belongs to a Black person matters. We are hopes and dreams, fair access, fair treatment and fair pay. We are more than a heartbeat. I am more than a heartbeat,” said Cheryl L. Bedford, founder of Women of Color Unite.

Producers, Directors, Casting Directors, Production Companies and Studios can sign to take the Pledge for Equity in Casting for the world to see that you are a partner for change. To view, download, and sign the Non-White Paper, visit: https://wocunite.org/non-white-paper/.

Link to PDF: https://wocunite.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CSA-WOCU-Non-white-Paper-Sep-13_compressed.pdf

In addition, WOCU and CSA have partnered on #Startwith8Hollywood CSA Edition, WOCU’s Professional Enrichment Program, and the CSA/WOCU Roundtable Discussion Series.

About Women of Color Unite (WOCU)/The JTC List

Women of Color Unite (WOCU), is a 501c3 non-profit founded by producer and advocate, Cheryl L. Bedford.  It is the largest non-profit organization of its kind.  Comprised of over 1.8k women of color, the organization advocates against discrimination based on gender, race, color, age, size, sexual orientation or disability.  It is a social action organization focused on fair access, fair treatment and fair pay for women of color in all aspects of the entertainment and media industries.  To learn more visit:  https://wocunite.org/.

ABOUT CASTING SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Casting Society of America (CSA) was founded in February of 1982 with the intention of establishing a recognized standard of professionalism in the casting field and providing its members with a support organization to further their goals and protect their common interests. CSA currently boasts close to 1000 members. CSA casting directors and associate casting directors work around the world, with members based in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. CSA is a global resource for producers, directors and creative teams seeking casting professionals, while promoting the image of casting directors and associate casting directors worldwide, engaging in a number of charitable activities and supporting its members by sharing important and helpful professional information. For more information on the Casting Society of America, please visit CastingSociety.com.

—

Girl in Charge Public Relations (GICPR)
Amy Malone, Certified Public Relations Specialist

909-320-8602 Office

323-972-4081 Mobile

amy@gicpublicrelations.net
www.gicpublicrelations.net

With BIPOC underrepresented in every industry segment, the organization aims to knock back “exclusion by familiarity” to get women of color in the same room as decision makers.

It started with a hashtag. This summer as nationwide calls for racial and social justice hit a fever pitch, Thuc Nguyen, founder of The Bitch Pack, and Cheryl L. Bedford, founder of Women of Color Unite, teamed on a new mentorship concept to help pump Hollywood’s diversity pipeline.

Read article

In a report from the New York Times earlier this year, the number of female movie directors has increased (12 of the 113 directors on 2019’s 100 top films were women – double the number from 2018). Things are changing, albeit slowly. But when you look at women working behind the scenes in film and TV, the numbers remain stagnant. When you add in another qualifier, women of color working in film and TV, the numbers shrink, leaving this group severely underrepresented.

But there are diligent, hopeful groups working to help create a more diverse Hollywood. Manon de Reeper, screenwriter and founder of the online magazine Film Inquiry, is leading the team of volunteers behind the mentoring program that’s trending with the hashtag #StartWith8Hollywood, a movement created by Bitch Pack and Women of Color Unite.

Read article

Social action org and non-profit studio Women of Color Unite (WOCU) is calling for the entertainment companies and execs to join the #Startwith8, a diversity and inclusion initiative. The movement aims to foster “organic diversity” in show business via mentorship.

#Startwith8 partners women of color working in the entertainment industry with seasoned mentors; overall, each mentor will be paired with eight mentees. “Together, they formulate a plan of action based on what each mentee desires and what is achievable by the mentor to create tangible progress in the mentee’s career,” according to the initiative’s press materials. “The end goal: no more excuses.” With widespread mentorship and opportunity for women of color, the tired, untrue “There are no women of color I can hire” line will hold no weight.

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RespectAbility Entertainment Lab 2020 wrapped July 16, after 15 sessions intended to create an industry pipeline of professionals with disabilities behind the camera.

The five-week program is sponsored by the nonprofit RespectAbility and is run by four women with disabilities: Lauren Appelbaum, Tatiana Lee, Nasreen Alkhateeb and Leah Romond.

The program targets individuals who are interested in such jobs as writing, directing, producing, editing, sound and animation work.

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Founder of the largest—and one of the only—diversity and inclusion initiatives focused exclusively on women of color in the film and television industry, Cheryl L. Bedford sees no use in maintaining the status quo.

With a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, an MFA from The American Film Institute, and twenty years of experience as a producer, line producer and production manager, Bedford has the industry savvy, determination and tremendous power of will to see and enact the changes the rest of Hollywood needs to embrace.

Bedford’s organization, Women of Color Unite, began as a relatively small networking event; invitations enjoined, “Women of Color…UNITE,” and Bedford funded the event herself—because of her deep belief that women of color needed a place to meet and support each other.

Read article

Jamil, who wrapped up her role in The Good Place last week and has been cast in HBO Max’s ballroom vogue competition, Legendary, is the founder of I Weigh, a platform that explores social issues, including the representation of marginalized groups.

Syndicated links

• https://ca.news.yahoo.com/jameela-jamil-joins-organization-fight-040706714.html
• https://live24x7.news/jameela-jamil-joins-fight-against-sizeism-in-entertainment-deadline/
• https://www.imdb.com/news/ni62774833
• https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/jameela-jamil-joins-orginization-wocu-fight-against-sizeism.html
• https://allzara.com/jameela-jamil-joins-organization-in-fight-against-sizeism-in-entertainment/
• https://home.sparklight.com/news/read/category/news/article/deadline-jameela_jamil_joins_organization_in_fight_against-rpenskemc
• https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jameela-jamil-joins-organization-fight-040706714.html
• https://www.vulture.com/2020/02/jameela-jamil-joins-orginization-wocu-fight-against-sizeism.html
• https://news.knowledia.com/US/en/articles/jameela-jamil-joins-organization-in-fight-against-sizeism-in-ae480e8cd4d36c8ed2a469d86cb9997b063b6bd4
• http://www.movieswithbutter.com/Uncategorized/Jameela-Jamil-Joins-Organization-In-Fight-Against-Sizeism-In-Entertainment
• https://headtopics.com/us/jameela-jamil-joins-organization-in-fight-against-sizeism-in-entertainment-11119202
• https://ca.bfn.buzz/jameela-jamil-st_112701/news/jameela-jamil-staying-busy-post-the-good-place-joins-fight-against-sizeism-in-e-sn_790533/

*LOS ANGELES — Writer, director, producer and founder of Audaz Entertainment, LLC & #BlackMuslimGirlFly, Nia Malika Dixon, announces the 2^ndAnnual #BlackMuslimGirlFly Film Festival “Our Stories. Our Way,” hosted by Alia Sharrief, Founder of Hijabi Chronicles.

The event will be held Sunday, December 15, 2019 at the Regency West Theater located at 3339 W. 43^rdStreet, Los Angeles, CA  90008. (Leimert Park) from 9a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available now at https://filmfreeway.com/BMGFlyFest.

The festival was created to raise awareness for the growing numbers of skilled and talented Black Muslim Women in entertainment. BMFF2019 will also honor accomplished filmmaker and founder of Women of Color Unite (WOCU) and the JTC List, Cheryl L.Bedford. Bedford will receive the Harmon-Dixon Trailblazer Award, named after Dixon’s mother and grandfather who are both trailblazers in their respective fields. Bedford will receive the award for her huge contributions in raising awareness, breaking the glass ceiling, and providing work and opportunities for Women of Color in the entertainment industry.

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