ZIKORA Media & Arts African Cultural Heritage Initiative’s Post

Community as Art...a 5 Week Series............................Week 5. John Leguizamo made me smile yesterday evening. Not because he was comedic relief, but because he spoke from his heart during the 2024 Emmys. This was DEI as Art - in Action - on an international platform. The celebrated Colombian American Writer, Actor, Producer and Director created clarity around what DEI means for those who try to bastardize its original intent - and he did it with style. "I'm one of Hollywood's DEI hires...That's right: The D is for diligence, the E is for excellence, the I is for imagination. Everyone in this room tonight has dedicated their lives to diligence, excellence and imagination." About 3 months before this speech, Leguizamo took out a full page ad in the New York Times advocating for more actors of color to be recognized during the Television Academy's Emmy award nomination process. Leguizamo used his privilege as a well-known entertainer to advocate for BIPOC entertainers; many of whom he may never meet or never know. And while so many aspects of this work can feel like climbing an ever-growing mountain, his speech is a reminder that there truly are aspects to this work that are easier than others. Choose to do some things differently. Choose to spend time considering people you might not normally see. Choose to learn more about how you can understand perspectives that are far different from your own. Like Leguizamo wrote in his open letter... "It's Simple!" #CommunityIsNow

Really excited to (finally) launch our creative collective Hail Mary & Friends ! Why 'Hail Mary'? Every creative team, no matter how great they are, gets burnt out. And it's usually at the eleventh hour when you really need some fresh thinking. That's when it's time for Hail Mary & Friends, because our globally experienced senior creatives can give you that new perspective you've been praying for when you need it most--wherever you are in the world. Better still, we make time differences and exchange rates work to your advantage. Why '& Friends'? Because friends sounds much nicer and more fun than '& Partners' You probably have more questions, and that's good. Go to: https://lnkd.in/geVnF-rU (That hailmaryandfriends.com in Linkedinese) X Mary

I've just attended (live stream) a wonderful conversation with Oscar-nominated filmmaker and screenwriter Ava DuVernay (Selma, 13th, Queen Sugar, Origin) and Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad ("Resistance, Storytelling and Film"), hosted by the Institutional Antiracism and Accountability Project, Harvard Kennedy School: https://lnkd.in/ggjfe93Z (It starts about 14 minutes in). Ava said something that I thought was particularly useful. When asked about DEI, with exasperation she said she just prefers the word, "woke"! But then went on to say that "diversity" is a concept that we will keep redefining. And her comment made me think—the words diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging—are all words we are trying to understand, and in using them, their meaning will continue to evolve. Language is not static, it is fluid and continually changing. DEIB are the latest words we are using to try to understand the differences in our society, in our workforce, and how those differences impact lives, experiences, opportunities, health, wealth, etc.—and there is nothing wrong with trying to understand that. Anyone who disparges DEI or DEIB, basically denies the differences that have always been a part of U.S. American life (Native Americans were diverse before white people ever arrived). We are continually figuring out how to talk about ourselves, how to relate to each other, how to understand and navigate the systems we create, and to be better at being an effective multicultural society. There is nothing wrong with that!

"When it comes to protecting your intellectual property — e.g., film project — early intervention is key. This was a constant theme throughout a presentation from FLC Director Michelle Greenberg-Kobrin at last month’s NYS Multicultural Creativity Summit, hosted by the Motion Picture Association. Whether it's owning your IP, forming an entity, or getting all your contracts in order, it’s vital to take a proactive approach regarding all the complex legal issues that can arise when creating and distributing a film. To watch Michelle’s full presentation, click here: https://hubs.ly/Q02-C-1F0 #MPA #filmmakers #entertainmentlaw #intellectualproperty #entityformation #filmcontracts #copyrightlaw

Especially for non-White filmmakers, it comes as a surprise when we "step outside of our lane." When we dare to tackle stories of people who might not look like us or come from the same background. But for others (you know who I'm talking about). It's deemed as versatility. In order to climb our way up the hollow ladder of success, we embrace the labels. We create a prison for ourselves. Stepping into it willingly to receive validation that we deserve to create. But thinking beyond those labels is where our power comes from. Embrace the concept of "and". Use it in a way that's not a distraction but a way to start a conversation. It helps bring individuality to our work. #filmmaking #diversity

The Way I See It: Dede Laurentino The multi-award-winning, Brazilian born Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy, André 'Dede' Laurentino, tells us about a difficult adolescence, life-changing trips to Europe, the feelings of inadequacy he has often struggled with, and why every creative person is punching back at the world. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/ecKXfydr

Our Stories Have Power! What's Your Story?

Here’s our story: We were artists first. We met while teaching at an acting school and were pursuing the arts. That led us to successfully marketing that business, leading to a new passion - helping other businesses grow. Passion is what we know. It’s the driving force that keeps us moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear. It’s the fire inside that fuels our journey. What’s your little engine pushing you toward? #FindYourPassion #ThursdayThoughts #KeepGoing

People won't feel left out when they know others are on their side. Yet, feeling left out persists, particularly when it comes to live work events. Cliques, hierarchy, ignored contribution and our own social anxiety mean it's easier to step aside and say, 'not for me.' This is something I've experienced from talking to people who are heading down next week for You Are The Media Creator Day. 200 people in the theatre and this year the shift is about active participation. It's understandable to feel a bit nervous. Normally, when it comes to organising an event, the emphasis is on the presenters who people pay attention to. What if we flipped that and paid attention to each other? This means the focus shifts: 🌥️ You do it for people, not to them ✏️ You allow people to feel involved 🏆 People are given status 🎤 You build warmth No one needs to feel on the sides. We can create spaces where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and ultimately, close to each other. Looking forward to getting everyone to Lighthouse - Arts and Entertainment | Poole and a work day in the theatre #InPoole

The Way I See It: Dede Laurentino The multi-award-winning, Brazilian born Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy, André 'Dede' Laurentino, tells us about a difficult adolescence, life-changing trips to Europe, the feelings of inadequacy he has often struggled with, and why every creative person is punching back at the world. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/ecKXfydr