Speaking Up for the ‘Future of Diversity’

The Hollywood Reporter hosted its inaugural Raising Our Voices luncheon April 20, centered on the state of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion movement, with keynote speaker Marlee Matlin

I’m so grateful that I’m not alone any longer,” Marlee Matlin told the audience at The Hollywood Reporter’s inaugural “Raising

Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” luncheon on

April 20. Introduced by her CODA co-star Troy Kotsur — who in March became the second deaf Oscar winner ever, following Matlin’s historic win 35 years ago — Matlin delivered the keynote address at the event, which also featured appearances by Daniel Durant and Natalie Morales.

The luncheon, presented by Walmart and held in compliance with local health and safety guidelines, was the culmination of a series of discussions with influential industry execs and storytellers and artisans in THR and on THR.com on the state and future of the industry’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) movement. THR editorial director Nekesa Mumbi Moody kicked off the event at The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Hotel along with activist/producer Bird Runningwater and IllumiNative president and CEO Crystal Echo Hawk, followed by remarks by Geena Davis, who called for better Hollywood inclusion of people with disabilities and underrepresented groups behind the camera. THR senior editor for diversity and inclusion Rebecca Sun also gave remarks.

Wilmer Valderrama, Gloria Calderón Kellett, Alex Schmider (producer and GLAAD director of transgender representation),

Latasha Gillespie (head of global DEI at Amazon Studios, Prime Video and Freevee), Sharoni Little (CAA’s head of global inclusion strategy) and Samata Narra (senior vp equity and inclusion, content strategy at Warner Bros. Discovery) then took part in a panel on the state of inclusion in Hollywood, moderated by journalist Stacey Wilson Hunt, after which Kotsur brought Matlin to the stage. “We hope that you can look to us as one of thousands of artists who are deaf or disabled to inspire you to ensure that the future of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and authenticity in Hollywood is a success,” she said.

From left: CODA actors Daniel Durant, Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin at THR’s event.

Left: THR co-publishers Beth Rabishaw (left) and Victoria Gold flanked editorial director Nekesa Mumbi Moody. Above, clockwise from upper left: Samata Narra, Alex Schmider, Wilmer Valderrama, Sharoni Little, Gloria Calderón Kellett and Latasha Gillespie.