In an effort to address the persistent underrepresentation of Black professionals in the entertainment industry, Diverse Representation is gearing up to host its groundbreaking Black Entertainment Career Summit on May 3-4, 2024.
The two-day event, slated to take place at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles, aims to bolster the hiring and visibility of Black talent within the industry. Recruiters, executives, and human resource directors from prominent agencies, studios, TV networks, and other entertainment organizations will converge to provide invaluable insights into various career paths.
Among the esteemed speakers confirmed for the Summit are Bill Duffy, founder of BDA Sports, recognized as one of the longest-tenured Black-owned sports agencies in the nation. Also featured is Lindsay Wagner, the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at United Talent Agency, tasked with spearheading the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Additionally, Tami Quintero, Head of Talent Acquisition at Lionsgate, will shed light on recruitment strategies across Lionsgate’s Corporate, TV, and Motion Picture Groups.
Jaia Thomas, Founder and CEO of Diverse Representation, expressed excitement about the event’s potential impact, stating, “To date, there have been very few programs or events specifically focused on recruiting and retaining more Black professionals in the entertainment industry. We hope this event helps usher in a greater number and new wave of Black professionals in television, film, digital, and more.”
The Summit’s itinerary includes a full day of dynamic panel discussions on May 3, followed by onsite interviews and an exclusive networking brunch on May 4. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit their resumes for inclusion in Diverse Representation’s resume bank, facilitating connections with participating companies.
To amplify the voices and experiences of Black professionals in the industry, Diverse Representation will launch the hashtag #BlackInEntertainment across social media platforms on May 3. This initiative encourages Black professionals nationwide to share their insights, triumphs, and challenges associated with working in entertainment.
For further details on the Summit, including the full agenda and ticketing information, visit www.entertainmentcareersummit.com.
