Aisha Thomas-Petit

Thomas-Petit approaches DEI the same way she trains for a half-marathon—she doesn’t focus so much on the distance she has to go but rather sets a plan that helps her conquer one milestone at a time. With that philosophy in mind, she has established a clear vision for DEI at the company, one that thinks, operate and creates using DEI as a necessary lever for change. Among her projects this year was Staff Me Up, a networking and hiring platform for production professionals intended to highlight underrepresented groups in the industry, including BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and active military and veterans. “I think the progress [on DEI in the industry] is noteworthy,” she says. “That’s not to say that there isn’t still significant work for us to do, but we are definitely moving in the right direction.”

Do you think there has been significant progress on DEI in the industry in the past year?
I think the progress is noteworthy, whether seen through an increased focus on DEI strategy, the introduction of dedicated DEI resources, including the creation of new roles and accountability in C-suites across the industry, and a measurable uptick in programs and initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in front of and behind the camera. That’s not to say that there isn’t still significant work for us to do, but we are definitely moving in the right direction.

Best initiative to come out of one of your company’s Employee Resource Groups?
Globally, the members of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a vital part of everything we do. ERGs help us increase our organization’s overall cultural competency and create a culture of belonging for our employees, they are also tangibly helping to drive our business forward. Members of our ERGs assist in curating collections of content on our streaming service AMC+ in swim lanes around different social and cultural moments like Pride Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month and more. What we’re learning is that these collections not only expose audiences to new perspectives, it’s actually attracted new subscribers.

Who deserves a biopic made about their life and why?
Two people immediately come to mind – Bozoma Saint John and her incredible story of leadership and courage, her ability to influence the conversation, the example she’s set and the spotlight she’s put on Black excellence – and Samuel L. Jackson whose body of work is undeniable but sometimes undervalue. Jackson is a force in the industry, and he continues to serve as an example of sustainable representation in Hollywood.

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