00:00Since it was announced that I was receiving this honor, I have been deeply moved by how
00:06many of you have shared with me that I made a difference in your lives.
00:12But I am here today in no small part because you used your power to decide how and by whom
00:21you would be represented.
00:23Indeed, I stood up for you, but I was able to do so because you stood with me.
00:31Yes, the truth is there should be a lot more of us, women and people of color, as successful
00:41representatives, heads of studios, and presidents of networks.
00:46I'm going to check that one off.
00:50We know this, so let's turn our focus to solutions.
01:03Let's believe that our own power is part of the solution.
01:08But it does mean that we have to ask and answer some tough questions.
01:14Ask yourself, is it okay when your representatives, whom you pay very well, put a team in place
01:22to guide your career?
01:25That team, no matter its size, might consist of one or maybe two people of color.
01:33Is it okay that despite their seniority, the women who represent you are almost never owners
01:40or partners of the businesses for which they work so very hard?
01:46Is it okay that this is not okay to not make your displeasure known?
01:57You must pose the uncomfortable questions to those of us to whom you entrust your career.
02:04And don't settle for, we need to do better, as the answer.
02:09There must be real dialogue of how we intend to do better.
02:13And we must know that, and we must know, we the representatives, that doing better is
02:19part of how you determine whether you are being well represented.
02:25Be clear on this.
02:27Your representatives work for you.
02:30You don't work for them.
02:38You have every right to demand more of us.
02:41Better than most, I understand how personal our representation relationships are.
02:47I understand you want great people with whom you share a personal connection.
02:53People who excel in their work and whose relationships advance your career.
02:58But the current system doesn't hire people like us in great enough numbers or mentor us so
03:04that we survive long enough to be the experienced representatives you need.
03:10I am not telling you anything you don't know, but in a nutshell, your representation options
03:17are limited because those who might bring a different perspective often lack access.
03:23And when access is gained, lack support.
03:26And time and time again, even the most promising careers, end prematurely.
03:34So how can we use our power for change?
03:37If you are a woman who wants to be empowered, then empower other women.
03:42You are a much more forceful advocate against gender bias and wage inequality if you actually
04:09hire women.
04:11And if you are a white man who advocates for change, then hire someone other than a white
04:16man as an example of that change.
04:18And if you don't think you need to do it for yourself, then do it for your wives, your
04:26sisters, your daughters, so that they can reach their full potential in the work world.
04:35There are those of you who have fought the good fight for years advocating for people like
04:41me and relying on an informal network of diverse advisors to bring perspective to the complicated
04:48conversations that help you place a value on your artistry.
04:53But ultimately, the institutions must change.
04:56Because until our business conversations are inclusive, real change will continue to elude
05:01us.
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