The Hollywood Reporter Debuts New Critical Luncheon Paves Way For More Inclusivity: “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda

The Hollywood Reporter hosted the inaugural “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” luncheon at The Maybourne in Beverly Hills.

The first “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” was presented by Walmart. “Raising Our Voices” brings together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) movement. During the program, keynote speaker Marlee Matlin (Academy Award-winning actor,star of Apple Studios’ 2022 “Best Picture” Oscar-winner CODA and disability advocate) was introduced by Troy Kotsur (2022 “Best Supporting Actor” Oscar-winner, CODA). During the speech, Matlin discussed the lack of representation of the deaf and disabled community within the entertainment industry and the importance of working together
to help amplify these authentic and diverse voices.

Important take aways from the event included: Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist) and Crystal Echo Hawk (President and CEO at IllumiNative) who opened the program and discussed the importance of inclusion. As well as, Carlos Lopez Estrada who discussed the Ghetto Film School’s mission to teach its students how to use their voices to tell authentic, impactful stories and how the support from Walmart aligns with their mission.