On April 26, 2023, the LA Civil Rights Department hosted "Producing Equity: Shining a Light on Diversity in Hollywood," a panel discussion on inequities in the entertainment industry and state of diverse hiring in Hollywood. Whether behind the scenes, on the set, or in post production, there are barriers to see diverse talents and minority representation in film and television jobs.
LA Civil Rights Executive Director Capri Maddox moderates this panel discussion with Sumi Parekh, Executive Director for Group Effort Initiative (GEI); Martin Russell Johnson, Producer, Director, and Diversity Advocate; and Chip Warren, Co-founder and board member of ManifestWorks to share the challenges and the state of diversity in Hollywood while providing insight on the current pipeline efforts to improve equity in hiring and promotion. The discussion airs on May 6, 2023 at 7:30 PM PST. Watch the discussion below or click here.
The resources below provide education and training, job opportunities, and networking opportunities for those who are or want to get into the film and television industry.
Resources
- Group Effort Initiative: provides education & training, internships, mentorships, job opportunities, and networking opportunities
- ManifestWorks: connects those impacted by foster case, homelessness, and incarceration with job opportunities and ongoing skills to support long-term success
- Women in Media: promotes gender balance in film and entertainment industries through networking, professional development, and advocacy for women
- ACEX Foundation: provides internships & volunteering with hands on experiences to learn video editing, cinematography, and opportunities to shadow departments in film and television projects
- The Handy Foundation: provides training & jobs, advocacy, career support, and mentor matching
- National Association of Latino Independent Producers: advocates and promotes professional needs for Latine artists in media
- NAACP Hollywood Bureau: organization that advance the cause of diversity in the entertainment industry and address the lack of minority representation on TV and lack of employment opportunities for all people of color behind the scenes
- CSU Entertainment Alliance: pathway to internships, grants, jobs, and partnerships, resources
- Women in Film: advocates for and advances the careers of women working in the screen industries
- artworxLA: helping students create a path within the arts
- 1in4 coalition: opportunities for disabled individuals in Hollywood and advances representation of disabled people
- Entertainment Industry Foundation Careers Program (EIFCP): a collaboration of studios, networks, and career pathway providers and focuses on entry-level, below-the-line and corporate entertainment opportunities
- Ghetto Film School (GFS): provides a Fellows Program, a free, multi-year visual storytelling course for young artists in New York, Los Angeles, and London
- Hollywood CPR: unionized training and certification in 15 career pathways
- Kids in the Spotlight (KITS): fosters youth ages 12-22 in writing, casting, and starring in filmmaking
- Respectability: disability-led organization that provides training, education, and advocacy for people with disabilities
- She Ready Foundation: provides resources and support for youth impacted by foster care
- Streetlights: provides job training, job placement, and career advancement organization
- TEC Leimert: black owned and operated organization that bridges the digital divide facing communities of color, has paid internship program, mentorship, workshops
- Outfest: LGBTQIA+ artists, filmmakers, and entertainment professionals
- Veterans in Media and Entertainment: unites current and formers members of the military working in film, television, media, gaming, music, and more
- Yes I Can Unity Through Music and Education: education, training, and job placements for individuals with disabilities
- NewFilmmakers LA: provides programs & events, film submissions, student mentorship program, job listings, and industry resources through networking with filmmakers around the world
- Better Youth Inc.: provides training and media arts training for foster and community youth ages 14-24
- Operation Backlot: provides education and workforce development on the Backlots of film and television
- LA Urban League: provides programs in workforce development, education, and entrepreneurship center
- LA Collab: creates a pipeline to match opportunities for Latino talent across sectors from Entertainment, Media, and Technology
- Codega Media: focuses on women entrepreneurship and executive women, services, and production assistant training
- Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program: pipeline with LA, NY, and Atlanta, internship opportunities
- Homeboy Art Academy: supporting gang-involved and previously incarcerated youth and adults in the Arts
- Venice Arts: education, trainings, & career development for free for low-income youth in LA
- Array: provides programming and events, networking opportunities, film releases, etc