The Why: Championing diverse voices and creators has been built into Hunter’s career since her time at ABC, where she worked on series such as “black-ish.” At Freeform, she focuses on inclusive, forward-thinking series like the Emmy-nominated “grown-ish” and “Good Trouble,” which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. She is currently developing “AZNBBGRL,” which follows Asian American teens in Orange County’s Little Saigon.
She Says… “When a major incident throws the spotlight on industry disparities in access and representation, lots of initiatives are created. When the ever-present issue is eclipsed by a different hot-button topic, then those who were never really committed to the work quickly regress to the status quo.”
First job in the industry: NBC page in Burbank, Calif.
How have attitudes about DEI changed since you began your career? I don’t think that attitudes about DEI have undergone dramatic changes since I started my television career in the late ‘90s. What I’ve observed is that the tide shifts every few years. When a major incident throws the spotlight on the disparities in access and representation in our industry, then lots of panels are hosted and initiatives are created. However, when the ever-present issue is eclipsed by a different hot-button topic or event, then those who were never really committed to the work quickly regress to the status quo. That said, I have been fortunate enough to work for individuals and companies that were steadfast in their commitment to maintain a diverse workplace and advance authentic, inclusive stories.
Place I would love to retire to: Portugal or Spain.