The media and entertainment industry and the stakeholders and workers that depend on it for their livelihood, have had their lives upended by shutdowns, loss of ad revenue, canceled deals and other disruptions caused by COVID-19. Talent and creators of color have been particularly impacted at a time when diversity in the media and entertainment industry is needed now more than ever. One bright spot has been digital streaming.

This session will consist of (1) a moderated discussion with executives on the proliferation of streaming and how efforts to increase diverse content is being reshaped by the COVID-19 crisis and social change movement, and (2) a moderated discussion with the creators and cast of a feature film about how their project and they themselves are working to support the social change movement.

Special thanks to: Disney, Nielsen, and AMC Networks

Moderated by Tirrell D. Whitley, CEO of Liquid Soul and Member of the Academy of Arts and Science, the session will feature a moderated discussion with executives of color on the proliferation of streaming and how efforts to increase diverse content is being reshaped by the COVID-19 crisis and social change movement. The first panel includes:

• Mark Henry, VP Broadcast Infrastructure - Disney Streaming Services
• Christina Davis, President of Programming – STARZ
• Brett Dismuke, Chief Content Officer – Urban Movie Channel
• Cheryl Grace, SVP of U.S. Strategic Community Alliances/Consumer Engagement - Nielsen

The second session will feature a discussion with some of the creative team behind Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” to discuss how the project came to be, the influence of jazz music on the story, and the importance of representation in the animated film:

• Phylicia Rashad, Emmy Award Nominated Actress – “Soul” Cast (“Libba”)
• Terri Lyne Carrington, Grammy Award Winning Jazz Musician – “Soul” Cultural Trust
• Kemp Powers, acclaimed screenwriter and music journalist – “Soul” Co-Director
• Dr. Johnnetta Cole, American Anthropologist – “Soul” Cultural Trust

**PLEASE NOTE: All attendees must also register through the CBC website at CBCFINC.ORG/ALC