Equity & Inclusion

Please join us for the latest installment of SAG-AFTRA’s President's Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement Race & Storytelling livestream series featuring members and industry colleagues discussing the intersection of race, storytelling, inclusion in the entertainment industry and equal opportunity for all.

SAG-AFTRA members from the Asian American community raise their voices about the current social climate in the country and call for a change. #WashTheHate

A panel with an urgent exploration of the racial biases and inequities that result in the dramatic underrepresentation of Black people in entertainment and media boardrooms, writer’s rooms, on sets, on screen and in studios. We will look at the impact of systemic underrepresentation on content creation and on-screen representation and discuss the ways we can address systemic biases in our own front yard.

Moderator: Jason George, Actor

Moderated by Russell Boast (President, Casting Society of America), the panel includes Alma Martinez (Actor, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Danielle Kennedy (Actor, Insidious: The Last Key), Tracy Lilienfield (Casting Director), Julia Kim (Casting Director), Tim Angle (Theatrical Manager, Shelter Entertainment Group), Candace Stewart (Commercial Talent Agent, DDO Artists Agency), Keone Young (Actor, Men In Black 3), and CJ Jones (Actor, Baby Driver).

Native American & Indigenous Actors, this panel discusses current industry trends, such as the rise of those telling contemporary stories of their own experiences, making it a point to cast natives in non-native roles, and remaining conscious of creating a diverse community of actors within film.  

Women in Interactive & Voiceover, this panel discusses being noticed and how to get an agent as an interactive voiceover actor. These women cover how they got their start in the industry and signed their first agent. From being noticed on a game show, voiceover school, or at a Scientology panel, these women have made a name for themselves as notable voiceover actors.

Diversity is a core value of SAG-AFTRA. Authentic faces and voices on-screen and behind the mic is the goal. With the EEO & Diversity Department evolving to become the Equity & Inclusion Department, SAG-AFTRA is a union that fights for the rights of all members and looks to make sure they receive equal opportunities in the workplace.

How do we survive and continue to engage the industry during the times we are working toward our next project? We are skilled at our craft as actors, singers, dancers, and newscasters and these skills have the potential to assist us in developing our own sideline business. This panel consisted of artists who have created thriving businesses that are "engaging" the industry.

MOVE presents: Images of Black Women In The Entertainment Industry, this panel discusses Deidrie Henry’s (actor, Beyond the Lights) experience during the Popeyes commercial controversy in 2014 and the powerful impact it had on her career afterward. Have you seen the viral Popeyes commercials?

As our media industry looks to the future, we have seen the positive effects of those speaking out for diversity and content begins to more accurately mirror the American scene. However, in the diversity buzz, we rarely hear the call to include our performers with disabilities. Content creators please come join us to become better acquainted with the rich diversity of talent available in this community, and hear from industry professionals who are working to cast and include the disabilities community.