00:00My name's Joe Shields, I'm the president of the Hollywood Reporter, and welcome to the
00:08Hollywood Reporter's third annual Raising Our Voices celebration.
00:18Now I am very proud to say that I am the last white, heterosexual, cis male that you're
00:24going to see on this stage today.
00:26So Raising Our Voices is Hollywood Reporter's ongoing initiative to put the spotlight on
00:34all of you, the members of the creative community who are tirelessly working to create a more
00:40equitable, inclusive, and accessible future.
00:44I'd like to thank our supporting partners tonight for supporting THR's Raising Our Voices
00:51initiative, especially our presenting sponsor of S.T.A.R.S., Take the Lead.
01:02This is a studio that's really putting their money where their mouth is, and taking action
01:06and doing the things that we're talking about today, and so I authentically and like really
01:11appreciate what they're doing.
01:15I'd also like to thank EastWest Bank for their generous support.
01:19Thank you very much.
01:24And the ACLU for being our philanthropic partner, I mean, we could not ask for a better philanthropic
01:30partner.
01:31Lastly, I'd like to thank our speakers here today, including our keynote speaker Kamal
01:37Nanjiani and guest panel moderator Annette Bening.
01:49And now I'd like to introduce you to our Deputy Editorial Director of The Hollywood Reporter,
01:55Jeanne Pien.
01:58Good afternoon.
02:04It's so wonderful to be in a room with people who represent the global majority.
02:11I am humbled and inspired to share this space with you.
02:14I must thank our contributing editor, Rebecca Sun, who spearheaded this year's Forces for
02:19Change list, and is a tireless champion of the Raising Our Voices initiative.
02:26But none of The Hollywood Reporter's year-round DEI and A coverage, including today's issue,
02:33would be possible without everyone here in this room and all the work that you've been
02:38doing.
02:39We are honored to recognize the Forces for Change in Hollywood and beyond.
02:44You guys are changemakers and thought leaders who are shifting Hollywood's power structure
02:48in front of and behind the camera.
02:51Along with stars in the ACLU, our partner, EastWest Bank, is a force for change itself.
02:57The EastWest Bank Foundation commissioned the documentary film, The Bridge, to honor
03:01the shared journey of the AAPI community, directed by Evan Jackson Leong, who is in
03:06the audience with us.
03:07I don't know if you want to stand.
03:14The film examines the AAPI experience, combating discrimination by building the bridges of
03:19understanding with other communities.
03:22The creation of The Bridge was a significant part of EastWest Bank's 50th anniversary celebration
03:26last year.
03:28Since its founding in 1973, EastWest Bank has been building bridges of opportunity for
03:33everybody in the community to reach further.
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