UCLA’s Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies and UCLA Government and Community Relations, in conjunction with U.S. Rep. Diane E. Watson, D-Calif., will hold a forum entitled “Diversifying Hollywood: Practices, Priorities and Policies� in Room 314 of UCLA’s Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Plaza, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The Congressional Entertainment Caucus Forum will examine the lack of diversity within the entertainment industry’s job ranks. Watson, who chairs the Congressional Entertainment Caucus, is chairing the forum to explore federal policy options for promoting industry practices and priorities related to diversity.

“We’ve been lamenting the lack of diversity in Hollywood for decades now,� said Darnell Hunt, director of the UCLA’s Bunche Center and forum moderator. “Unfortunately, the little progress that has been made on this front in recent years has not even come close to approaching the diversity of the broader society. So we look forward to this symposium as an opportunity to bring all interested parties to the table and to identify some concrete, practical solutions.�

The introductory panel, entitled “Defining the Problem,� runs from 8:45–9:45 a.m. Panelists are:
· U.S. Rep. Diane E. Watson, D-Calif., and chair of the Congressional Entertainment Caucus, will chair the forum.
· Vic Bulluck, executive director of NAACP’s Hollywood Bureau.
· Wendy Greuel, Los Angeles City councilwoman.
· U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
· Debra Langford, director of recruitment and executive search, AOL Time Warner.
· Paula A. Madison, president and regional general manager of KNBC.
· U.S. Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, D-Calif.
· Chon Noriega, director of UCLA’s Chicano Studies Research Center and professor of film and television.
· Danny Slu, assistant administrator of Writer’s Guild of America West’s Employment Access Department.
· Mitsy Wilson, senior vice president of diversity development for Fox Entertainment Group.

· Darnell Hunt will moderate the panel.

Breakout sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to noon and will focus on industry self?regulation, advocacy group intervention and federal policies.

“Hollywood’s entertainment industry is a unique environment,� Watson said. “It’s also an incredibly insular industry that — while some progress was made in recent years on the issue of diversity and access — still has miles to go catch up with other segments of society. This forum will explore these concerns and possible remedies.�

The event is free and open to the public.

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