Watch WNET’s Inclusion & Diversity Council’s upcoming Speaker Series panel, “African Americans in Film” via Thirteen/WNET’s Facebook Live on Thursday, February 16 at 12pm.

Left: Wynn Thomas, production designer from Hidden Figures. Right: Lisa Cortes, a producer of the 2009 Academy Award-nominated film Precious.

Following last year’s #OscarsSoWhite campaign for a more inclusive film industry, this year’s Academy Awards highlight the African American community with a record number of nominations for black actors and black-themed films, including Moonlight, Hidden Figures, and Fences (adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by August Wilson). Also on the panel is film director Sam Pollard (The Talk – Race in America; August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand).

The panel will discuss the growing social movement for a more representative film industry, along with continuing the conversation on the challenges African Americans face in the entertainment community. The event will feature Oscar-affiliated talent, including Wynn Thomas, production designer from Hidden Figures, and Lisa Cortes, one of the producers of the 2009 Academy Award-nominated film Precious. PBS NewsHour Weekend’s Alison Stewart will moderate the event.

The IDC is WNET’s employee initiative dedicated to fostering a welcoming and respectful work environment. See the inaugural IDC Speaker Series event, “Telling Diverse Stories in Theater & Media.”

Find Thirteen/WNET on Facebook and join the conversation during live events by following @wnet and @ThirteenWNET.