July 18th 2023.
Legislators from the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) raised their voices in concern after a startling number of Black women left their C-suite positions in the film industry. According to Variety, the CLBC held a press conference to express worry that the industry was undervaluing diversity in higher-level positions.
The five high-level executives who left their posts included Vernā Myers, LaTondra Newton, Jeanell English, Karen Horne, and Terra Potts. These women had been working at Netflix, Warner Bros., Discovery, Disney, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
At the press conference, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas was adamant. “This is a troubling pattern,” she said. “It suggests diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t a priority at the highest levels of the film industry, where decisions are made and institutional change happens.” Sen. Smallwood-Cuevas also predicted that more Black women would soon leave C-suite positions at film studios.
Sen. Dave Min was also present to show his support. “As Vice Chair of the Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I am proud to stand in solidarity with my colleagues in the California Legislative Black Caucus to denounce the recent dismissals of leading African Americans in the entertainment industry,” he said.
The New York Post reported LaTondra Newton left her role as chief diversity officer for Disney after six years. Vernā Myers also changed her work with Netflix, saying she would return to her consulting firm while continuing to advise Netflix, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Jeanell English vacated her position as executive vice president of Impact and Inclusion for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Karen Horne left her role as senior vice president of North America DEI at Warner Bros., and Terra Potts left her post as executive vice president of Worldwide Marketing after 13 years with the company.
The California Legislative Black Caucus has raised their voice against the industry’s lack of valuing diversity in higher positions. The high number of Black women leaving their C-suite positions in the film industry is a worrying pattern that shows diversity, equity, and inclusion are not a priority.
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