Globes group vows changes for diversity

LOS ANGELES — The organization hosting the Golden Globes said it is developing a plan to recruit Black members after getting criticism for lacking diverse members.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association said in statement Friday that an “action plan” is under development to admit Black members. The group has 87 members who are journalists, but none is Black.

Former HFPA President Meher Tatna told Variety in an interview that the organization hasn’t had a Black member in nearly two decades. The Mumbai-born board chair said she couldn’t recall when there had been a Black member, but she said the organization will keep trying.

Some including Time’s Up and presenter Sterling K. Brown are among those who have criticized the HFPA’s lack of diversity. The criticism came days before the Globes air live on Sunday.

An HFPA spokesperson said it welcomes the opportunity to meet with groups such as Time’s Up and prospective Black members who are interested in joining the organization.

“We are fully committed to ensuring our membership is reflective of the communities around the world who love film, TV and the artists inspiring and educating them,” the HFPA statement read.

Time’s Up took aim at the HFPA in a tweet saying “a cosmetic fix isn’t enough.” The activist organization also included the hashtag #TimesUpGlobes.

Brown, an award presenter, posted the Time’s Up photo on social media with his own criticism.

“For any governing body of a current Hollywood award show to have such a lack of voting representation illustrates a level of irresponsibility that should not be ignored,” he said.

Brown said the HFPA must do better.