Artists urge DEI and Black storytelling to continue at NAACP Image Awards in Hollywood

Attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, and Black storytelling continue to cause public concern, particularly in the Hollywood film and television industry.

“It’s frustrating because we still have to fight and learn about ourselves,” actor Malcolm Barrett, star of “Average Joe,” told TheGrio. “When we try to be included, we face rejection, and it doesn’t have to be that way. The idea behind diversity, equity and inclusion is to be equal and inclusive. It’s not about excluding anyone… It means we matter, it doesn’t suggest nobody else does.

In addition to pushing more diverse management out of studios, the variety of Black concert cancellations is rising.

The cancellation of Issa Rae’s series “Rap Sh!t” made headlines earlier this 12 months, with many fans unhappy that the series wouldn’t return for future seasons. In 2022 and 2023, shows comparable to “Love Life,” “Ziwe,” “Legendary,” “South Side” and others starring Black people were also suspended.

The marked change in the tv landscape, with a discount in diversity on screen and behind the scenes, sheds light on the indisputable fact that Hollywood will not be setting priorities their DEI pledges made in 2020.

This 12 months, together with the “summer of racial reckoning” following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, has ushered in a boom in corporations promising DEI initiatives and increased efforts to hire more Black and people of color. Although it existed growth diversity since 2020 in the film and television industry, these numbers are decreasing.

Despite a decline in prioritizing diverse storytelling, industry game changers remain hopeful that Black creatives will continue to make strides in predominantly white spaces.

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June Ambrose, who received the Vanguard Award at the NAACP Image Awards, spoke with theGrio about her perspective on recent attacks on Black storytelling and DEI initiatives.

“Our artificial intelligence will be our greatest superpower,” Ambrose said. “Our Authentic Intelligence will take us to the next chapter. No one will be able to take that away from us because it is so authentically connected to who you are because of the way you deliver it – with intention. I encourage people… not to compromise and not to give up, because it will be visible.”

On the Image Awards red carpet, “Zatima” and “Sistas” actor and former NFL player Devale Ellis highlighted Hollywood’s long-overdue recognition of Black creators and people of color in the industry.

“We are here and we are not going anywhere,” Ellis told the Grio newspaper. “We have space at our disposal and can occupy all spaces, not just the ‘black’ ones. We, as creatives, can occupy any space.”