Screen Actors Guild to Host African American Caucus June 18

***MEDIA ALERT***

Screen Actors Guild to Host African American Caucus

African American Images in Hollywood:
How Did We Get Here? Are We Far Enough?
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Event: Thursday, June 18, 7-9 p.m. -- James Cagney Boardroom

What: SAG Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee (EEOC) and SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity are hosting an African American Membership Caucus and panel discussion about the past and current portrayals and employment of African American actors in entertainment. This is a special opportunity for members to meet and discuss career development strategies and realities.

Who: The panel will consist of accomplished African American industry professionals in the entertainment industry including Academy Award winning Actor, Lou Gossett, Jr., Director of Programming for Warner Bros. Odetta Watkins, Actor, Director and Producer Bill Duke, Casting Director of Aisha Coley Casting, Aisha Coley and Director of NBC Universal Talent Diversity Initiatives, Kendra Carter.

Moderated by: L. Scott Caldwell, SAG Hollywood Division Board Member and Vice Chair of the Hollywood EEO Committee

When: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 7-9 p.m.

This event is FREE. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first served basis. RSVP by June 17, 2009 to diversity@sag.org, or call (323) 549-6644 for more information.

Where: Screen Actors Guild          
James Cagney Board Room
5757 Wilshire Blvd., First Floor
Los Angeles, CA  90036

Details: In 2009, SAG’s National EEOC committed to host and develop a series of ethnic-specific membership caucuses designed to generate member interest and feedback from each protected ethnic group. The National EEO Committee has already successfully hosted a caucus for Middle Eastern, Latino/a and Asian Pacific Islander members. The African American Membership Caucus will address the current status of African Americans in Hollywood to determine how did we get here?  Are we far enough? The membership caucus provides a special opportunity to hear directly from African American members about their opinions and concerns regarding access and inclusion of African Americans on television and in film.

Media Contact: Pamela Greenwalt, SAG Communications Executive Director, office (323) 549-6872; cell (323) 440-2892 or pgreenwalt@sag.org.

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