The Hollywood Reporter held its third annual Raising Our Voices luncheon, celebrating some of the industry's most powerful advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The event kicked off with remarks from THR president Joe Shields and deputy editorial director Jeanie Pyun.
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00:00My name's Joe Shields, I'm the president of the Hollywood Reporter, and welcome to the
00:08Hollywood Reporter's third annual Raising Our Voices celebration.
00:18Now I am very proud to say that I am the last white, heterosexual, cis male that you're
00:24going to see on this stage today.
00:26So Raising Our Voices is Hollywood Reporter's ongoing initiative to put the spotlight on
00:34all of you, the members of the creative community who are tirelessly working to create a more
00:40equitable, inclusive, and accessible future.
00:44I'd like to thank our supporting partners tonight for supporting THR's Raising Our Voices
00:51initiative, especially our presenting sponsor of S.T.A.R.S., Take the Lead.
01:02This is a studio that's really putting their money where their mouth is, and taking action
01:06and doing the things that we're talking about today, and so I authentically and like really
01:11appreciate what they're doing.
01:15I'd also like to thank EastWest Bank for their generous support.
01:19Thank you very much.
01:24And the ACLU for being our philanthropic partner, I mean, we could not ask for a better philanthropic
01:30partner.
01:31Lastly, I'd like to thank our speakers here today, including our keynote speaker Kamal
01:37Nanjiani and guest panel moderator Annette Bening.
01:49And now I'd like to introduce you to our Deputy Editorial Director of The Hollywood Reporter,
01:55Jeanne Pien.
01:58Good afternoon.
02:04It's so wonderful to be in a room with people who represent the global majority.
02:11I am humbled and inspired to share this space with you.
02:14I must thank our contributing editor, Rebecca Sun, who spearheaded this year's Forces for
02:19Change list, and is a tireless champion of the Raising Our Voices initiative.
02:26But none of The Hollywood Reporter's year-round DEI and A coverage, including today's issue,
02:33would be possible without everyone here in this room and all the work that you've been
02:38doing.
02:39We are honored to recognize the Forces for Change in Hollywood and beyond.
02:44You guys are changemakers and thought leaders who are shifting Hollywood's power structure
02:48in front of and behind the camera.
02:51Along with stars in the ACLU, our partner, EastWest Bank, is a force for change itself.
02:57The EastWest Bank Foundation commissioned the documentary film, The Bridge, to honor
03:01the shared journey of the AAPI community, directed by Evan Jackson Leong, who is in
03:06the audience with us.
03:07I don't know if you want to stand.
03:14The film examines the AAPI experience, combating discrimination by building the bridges of
03:19understanding with other communities.
03:22The creation of The Bridge was a significant part of EastWest Bank's 50th anniversary celebration
03:26last year.
03:28Since its founding in 1973, EastWest Bank has been building bridges of opportunity for
03:33everybody in the community to reach further.