Burns’ experiences in leading major market TV newsrooms made her the ideal choice to oversee BNC’s editorial operations. Hired in 2021, this fierce advocate for diversity is one of the reasons behind rapid growth at BNC, where more than 80% of employees are people of color. While acknowledging industry progress in combatting gender bias, she says it’s important to remain vigilant about its shortcomings. “The fallacy of diversity is that creating space for a handful of women and women of color is enough. In reality, it takes several bricks to build a lasting foundation.”
What’s one way your company has broadened the recruiting process to ensure greater diversity?
BNC is unique within our industry because more than 80 percent of our employees are people of color. While workplace diversity and recruitment remains a major challenge for many networks and organizations, BNC stands as living proof that such diversity levels are not only achievable, but are in place and producing amazing work at a network that is growing in many exciting directions. We get to redefine diversity and inclusion by being a truly multicultural organization. I encourage those within the industry to examine their recruiting process and have an honest conversation about a path forward. Together, we can reimagine diversity for the next generation.
How would you rate the industry regarding gender bias in shows/characters?
Because I love this industry so much, I find it especially important to be critical about its shortcomings. For its effort and advancement through the decades, I give the industry a passing grade. Unfortunately, gender bias is so deeply embedded into our culture that it persists, despite our best efforts. It is still hard for women to be seen as themselves, and harder for women who are diverse. If you are a woman of color, you are still seen through a prism and your identity shaped by those who don’t share the same lived experience. The fallacy of diversity is that creating space for a handful of women and women of color is enough. In reality, it takes several bricks to build a lasting foundation. Structural change must occur at every level to ensure authenticity and inclusivity when telling our stories—in the newsroom, in the field, in the writer’s room, with on-air talent. This ensures representation, and gives us a voice. As women begin to occupy all areas of this industry, I am interested, yet hopeful, to see how I’d rate the industry 10-20 years from now.
