Deadline is launching Deadline Discourse, a new video series aimed at spurring thoughtful dialogue around pressing issues facing the entertainment industry. The series kicks off with a panel that couldn’t be timelier, coinciding with Black History Month.
This sneak peek at a discussion soon to be released in its entirety, zeroes in on the critical issues of diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. The discussion explores the power of ownership and examines the profound impact the recent strikes have had on Black content creators, and through our panelists gives an insider’s look into the thoughts and strategies of those leading the charge toward a more inclusive industry.
Panelists include screenwriter and showrunner Mike Gauyo (Ginny and Georgia, Insecure, ALLBLK series Send Help); filmmaker, screenwriter and actress Numa Perrier (The Perfect Find, Jezebel, SMILF); #OscarsSoWhite creator and Gauge senior advisor in media and entertainment April Reign; and Jeanell English, CEO of Elizabeth, and former EVP of impact and inclusion at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Reign opens the discussion reflecting on the slow pace of change since #OscarsSoWhite sparked a global conversation nearly a decade ago. Despite occasional glimpses of progress, the journey seems marked more by setbacks, she laments. Yet, there’s a silver lining, she says, with actors and filmmakers refusing to wait for an invitation to the table, choosing instead to build their own platforms.
Echoing Issa Rae’s recently stated concerns about the industry’s sluggish response to Black content, Perrier emphasizes the importance of ownership. “What you write, you own,” she says, highlighting the power of intellectual property in the ongoing fight for narrative control.
English expands on that theme, stressing the importance of community support for projects that champion inclusivity. This backing is crucial for their success and visibility in a crowded marketplace. “Showing up” isn’t just about being present; it’s about actively contributing to the success of these initiatives.
The conversation also turns towards last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which the panelists saw as both a challenge and an opportunity; while the work stoppages have laid bare the inequities within the industry, they also offer a chance to reimagine and reinvent. Gauyo draws the comparison to a “brain hemorrhage,” suggesting that just as the brain must learn new ways of functioning post-injury, so too must Hollywood find new paths forward in its recovery and evolution.
Check out the conversation above, and check back for more of the discussion.