“Real change happens when we take tangible action, and that means giving young women and people of color opportunities in the industry early on so they have the chance to shape its future.”Ava DuVernay
In an effort to combat Hollywood’s lack of diversity, renowned Selma and Wrinkle in Time director Ava DuVernay has started the Evolve Entertainment Fund (EEF). This fund will provide 150 internships for women and people of color and those from low-income households.
In partnership with Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti and producer Dan Lin, the Evolve Entertainment Fund will collaborate with production companies like DreamWorks, Netflix, and Sundance to create opportunities for upcoming entertainment professionals. A statement describes the fund as “a public-private partnership aimed at creating new opportunities for communities that have been historically excluded from the entertainment industry.”
This initiative was brought about in the wake of Hollywood being in the limelight for its lack of diversity after the “Oscars So White and “Time’s Up” campaigns. The EEF hopes to give underrepresented demographics the chance to thrive in an industry that wasn’t always meant for them to prevail in.
Proud to partner with @Ava DuVernay and Dan Lin to launch the Evolve Entertainment Fund — giving women, people of color, and low-income Angelenos new opportunities to build a career and chase their dreams in Hollywood. https://t.co/psXXHbWLBu
— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) February 12, 2018
The fund will also award grants to organizations currently working to create opportunities for underrepresented communities. The Women in Entertainment (WIE) Mentorship Program created by The Hollywood Reporter and backed by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, is the first recipient of this type of grant. It will use the $172,000 received to create scholarships for program participants from low-income communities to collaborate with some of the most influential stakeholders in entertainment.
DuVernay, who will act as EEF co-chair and is the founder of ARRAY Entertainment, continued, “As we radically reimagine Hollywood, it is critically important that young people are included in our vision… ARRAY is proud to be working with Mayor Garcetti on the Evolve Entertainment Fund, and we look forward to our collaboration on this effort.”
