Wednesday, April 21

The US minority population is expected to become the new majority by 2045, and Hollywood has taken notice of the demand for representation in media. Inclusivity has proven to be a lucrative business model in Tinsel Town with the release of streaming hits like Bridgerton and The Old Guard, award season favorites including Da 5 Bloods, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Minari, One Night in Miami, Sound of Metal, and The United States vs. Billie Holiday.

As streaming services fill the vacuum of 2020 studio releases with diverse content, how will the nearly full-time pivot to at-home entertainment globalize audiences who expect diversity on- and off-screen? Given the shift in societal perceptions of social justice and racial equity, how are media and entertainment investors and producers stepping up to meet the demand for inclusivity while also challenging stereotypes?

This session will bring together entertainment luminaries to discuss the importance of representation, and how developing workforce and artistic opportunities for traditionally disenfranchised demographics can lead to increases in the industry's bottom line.

Moderator

Jimmie Briggs
Principal, Skoll Foundation
 

Speakers

Jon Chu
Filmmaker

Jordan Fudge
Co-Founder, New Slate Ventures

Christine Simmons
Chief Operating Officer, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Roxanne Avent Taylor
Producer and Co-Founder, Hidden Empire Film Group

Daniel Wu
Actor and Producer

Milken Institute Virtual Forums

In light of the global pandemic, the Milken Institute has expanded our convening ability to include a wide variety of virtual engagement opportunities. Our Virtual Forums gather our global community of thought leaders and issue-area experts to tackle a wide range of critical issues, many stemming from the impacts of COVID-19, such as vaccine development and distribution, loneliness and social isolation, remote learning, retirement security, and more. Each Virtual Forum is broadcast to a curated group of invited participants that are able to interact with the expert panel through moderated audience Q&A, while also being livestreamed to a global audience via the Milken Institute website and social media.