Michelle Ray

Ray leads a national organization that advocates and implements strategies to drive diversity and inclusion across media and entertainment. Last year, nearly 900 people gathered in NYC for the 36th annual Walter Kaitz Foundation dinner, raising more than $1.4 million dollars to support grants distributed to industry diversity organizations. Although the pandemic halted this year’s event, the Foundation has continued its grantmaking and fundraising. Ray has also partnered with anchor organizations to continue Diversity Week in a virtual fashion, recognizing that now more than ever, diversity matters. “We believe it’s more important than ever to lean into conversations about inclusion and belonging. The racial divide has clearly become one of the big issues of 2020. It’s imperative to ensure all voices are heard in order to establish a welcoming environment for all employees,” Ray says.

In what ways can companies best show a sincere commitment to diversity and inclusion?
Go beyond the metrics; companies must focus on culture and their employees’ sense of belonging which entails greater engagement and focus on inclusivity. This requires time, hard work and empathetic leadership.

What initiatives in our industry best embrace diversity?
At the Walter Kaitz Foundation, we believe our key diversity partners at NAMIC, WICT, Emma Bowen Foundation and the T. Howard Foundation are all working on mission-critical diversity initiatives that support women and people of color.

What are some of the tough conversations this industry needs to have?
At the Walter Kaitz Foundation, we believe it’s more important than ever to lean into conversations about inclusion and belonging. The racial divide has clearly become one of the big issues of 2020. It’s imperative to ensure all voices are heard in order to establish a welcoming environment for all employees.

How have you been a champion of diversity & inclusion in your professional life?
As the Executive Director of the Walter Kaitz Foundation, I am leading a national organization that advocates and implements strategies to drive diversity and inclusion across media and entertainment. Being a voice for diversity, equity and inclusion in my professional life is equal in measure to my personal passion for the work.

Which current shows (on linear and streaming) best embrace diversity?
A few of the shows that represent this effort include Black-ish which follows the trials and tribulations of an upper middle class Black family, Insecure, a comedy series that looks at the friendship of two black women in a unique, authentic way, and Black Monday starring the incomparable, Don Cheadle that looks at one of the worst stock market crashes in the history of Wall Street. On the gender side of diversity, Mrs. America, is a fascinating example of a show that tells the story of both sides of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) told through the eyes of women of that era.

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