Stephen is such an extraordinary leader. He is recognized and served as a expert on disability, health care policy. More than 20 Years Experience in managing policy issues for diversity and currently he advocates for diversity and inclusion within the Entertainment Industry. He particularly enjoys bringing his expertise and policies to the Entertainment Industry. He believes the Entertainment Industry can be an incredible ally and clearly has proven that today by bringing the extraordinary lead Daniels Butler to be with us today and he is going to introduce us, her to us and asks to her. Enjoys leaders throughout comcast and writer skills and tv executive producers comment after comment letter appeared he has a long line of experience and expertise from when he was in washington. He used to be here where he was the highestranking person as a political appointee during the bush administration. I want to thank him for his work at the department of health and Human Services where he was Deputy Assistant secretary for planning and evaluation for disability aging and longterm care in his previous work at the National Institute on disability and we have researched and theres just so much more you can say about him. I will also say its been a delight to work with him because hes one of our original Board Members from our board of advisors and weve been working with him including recently in episode on the way he was sent and i want to say stephen james, were very delighted you are here. If we can invite you to come up and sit next to him, we will do a speech. [inaudible] jennifer, thank you. Its been over four years. Like many here in d. C. , but jennifer reached out to me in and said i want to start respectability. I said yeah, lets do it. Shes done remarkable work. Its interesting being in d. C. After nearly a decade with president bush. It taught me a lot about life and working with people on both sides of the aisle. I think what happened is i believe the Entertainment Industry is such a powerful force that changed my mindset for the better. Ive been working with leo Daniels Butler, now working with viola davis and her husband and on the Writers Guild of america to really show the marketability of inclusion of all people, color, gender, disability, whatever because we are a part of the fabric of america and despite our challenge is, we have differences that should be appreciated. I want to introduce my dear friend leah Daniels Butler. We are like family actually. You know what, let me just say that too many times communities work in silos and ask why are you working with leah . Why are you inviting viola . I say, you know what, we need to build a bridge and Everybody Needs to cross it together because if we dont break down the barriers, we will never make change. And what not, i will introduce my dear friend, my sister leanne. [applause] hi, good afternoon everyone. I want to thank jennifer and everybody on the board of respectability. I have a speech, so this is a little different for me because i do where can i safely hollywood. I work behind the cameras, so this is an aim new for me being in front of the cameras here and im going to do a friend told me to do and speak from the heart. I do have a guideline if you will. As my dear friend and adviser steve has pointed out, and the producer, most notably for the critically acclaimed feature film the Butler CommitteeAcademy Awardwinning friendship and Fox Television show and higher. Nearly two decades ive been committed to champion the inclusion representation of diverse acting color, gender or disability that has recently led to being appointed a National Board direct your for the casting society of america. Spearheading the diversity and inclusion committee. Is evident through my brother shows and movies, were focused on is or is that reflect the hardship immunities that the black and all gpt q. Community space. Reaching out to me when they wrote into the characters on empire that live with hidden disabilities. We all know that talented people with disabilities such as harriet tubman, ray charles, stevie wonder, just name a few can have an everlasting positive effect on the minds of many. Stephen has served as a content expert on disability and making the case for Disability Inclusion of the business sense. Thanks, stephen. We in hollywood need to build a network of actors, producers and other key players for disability and color in the Entertainment Industry towards increasing Storyline Development and hiring said the abysmal 2. 5 representation on tv in 0. 9 in film is change for disability in black communities. The foundation and the Usc Annenberg center 2016 have done studies with similar statistics according to the u. S. Census 2016. 20 of the United States population are 50 are living with disability amongst the population are the most talented people on earth. One year ago, stephen connected me to the Diversity Team. Did i ever thank you for that . I want to say thank you again. One year ago, stephen connected me to the Diversity Team which led to a successful roundtable on Disability Inclusion. It is my professional intent to ensure that when a highly talented actor with a disability is available for hire, whether ablebodied, character or disabled that they have an equal chance for higher. Furthermore, i recognize an actor with a disability could have so many roles typically built a ablebodied actors. The decade of employment and equality must end. Our csa national im sorry, csa National Inclusion and Diversity Committee is currently partnering with the diversity department, inclusion in the art, glad, California Association of the media committee, naacp and other advocacy groups to develop the conclusion to be distributed via the Entertainment Industry this year. This guide and az covering a Broad Spectrum of Diverse Communities will detail how to be fully inclusive with the casting breakdown and hiring process and finishing with helpful tips on how to prepare your production for inclusivity underneath of the shoe. The committee offering free events were Diverse Communities culminating in a National Open call later this year for disabilities, veterans and some in actors. Committee is planning the introduction of a bi annual inclusion and diversity expo in hollywood featuring vendors from a wide range of organizations to act we advocate for inclusion in diversity in the art followed by a Panel Discussion featuring industry professionals and the development of an inclusion and Diversity Training Program targeted towards casting her as can the studio and network executives, and producers. Thank you. [applause] let me know because it is mia. Well use this in the interim. Okay, i guess we will go to questions. Any questions about what is going on in hollywood are where we are getting as far as diversity or more important as lee has stressed is that we are not really worried about diversity. It is more about inclusion. Really. It really is. We are a diverse country. It is about opening opportunities for all parts of society. Theres a lot of questions and i run around with a microphone. Hi. Can you talk about somebody who you think is doing a good job in hollywood with inclusion . Well, i think leah and her brother and also shonda ryan. Shanda is unbelievable with regard to disabled, all gpt. It is amazing. There are excellent people in hollywood. Leah is very important to suffer because without leah, these producers cant fill the roles. And so, its apparent to pick the person if you are disabled and you dont have talent, youre not going to get a job. Lets face it. We cant approach the industry as a pity principle. We have to higher the rate purchase for the role. Who are the people you would pick that are really the trendsetters . I would say i have not worked with them oneonone, but the Production Team for transparent are really doing a good job. I think also this is as, the Production Team from this is us. There are quite a few that are doing a lot. I think it starts there. Obviously as i was saying it starts in the narrative. He tried to get them to understand you have to write these stories so we can include actors with disabilities. A lot of times it is not on the page, so then it becomes the director is part to try and get them to consider selling his soul for this. Ill give you a personal example. As you probably all know, twin peaks is back on showtime 25th anniversary. Just to show you, director david liz called me one day to testify and said hey, do you want to be on twin peaks . I said what . But anyway, i was on the First Episode in the first halfhour of twin peaks that i gone on for three independent films, which is really good for actors to do independent films. I did a music video with rappers are big sean. I was a principal and now we are going back to hollywood in doing a movie with another famous actor. So a stimulating the idea that it doesnt have to be always an ablebodied actor. I landed in l. A. In 73. Tv was a rare situation. Sammy davis junior would do an appearance on all in the family, but that was about all you can get. Now is that i represented by William Morris when you bring a project and the first thing they say is lets take it to Michael Strahans company, lebron james company. These are things that didnt exist even five years ago. Who wrote hamilton is doing a remake of mary poppins. Hollywood i think sets the boundary can open doors quicker than anybody else. The diversity that is going on quite honestly, the movies you mentioned up for Academy Awards with women from nasa. To hear these stories and you go my god. It was in my lifetime that was going on and people are not made aware of the situations. One of my dearest friends i went to high school with, a great, great granddaughter Amanda Walker was the first black millionaire. By the way, a woman millionaire by creating hair products. In the black community she is a goddess. Absolutely. I have been friends for a gazillion years and shes finally getting the movie made about madam walker which is another part of our history that 99 of the people [inaudible] somebody you know. Opera was going to do it and then whoopi and then it went by the wayside but its happening now. Thank heavens for you and your brother and all those people finally accepting that. Theres so much diversity and Production Companies now we have gone leaps and bounds. How do we make that happen in the rest of the world. Where else can you make that happen . Do you want to answer that . Man has been . My husband kind of said it best in the interview. Especially in the black community we have to be accepting of it. A lot of times please be certain things under the rug because you are embarrassed if your kid has a disability or learning disability or reading disability or whatever they have instead of getting them proper health. That is one of the big things we have to recognize is not to be ashamed and accept it and try to get the help is needed. Weve spoken about the training and writers everyone from makeup to costume to the logistics to all the other components a critical element as well. To have that sensitization in the advocacy really has to be there with the entire production. Before i met steve, i just didnt know. I shouldnt say i didnt know. I didnt think about it. It wasnt at the forefront. Wednesday brought it to my attention, i might you are right. How come we dont see disabled actors in television more often . There is a show along time ago. I cant remember what it was, but it featured an actor in a wheelchair. I cant think of the show. No, no, that is way back coming dating me. It was something done and i was really surprised how you dont see that more often. Behind the scenes as well is just raising the awareness. There has to be somebody that has the talent whether it is hair, makeup, crew, script, whatever that is an advocate for that and step out for those people. Also, what leah is singing is it is also behind the camera. I am working on the Writers Guild of america and Disability Committee and we are working on making sure more writers with disabilities get jobs and also directors. Jennifer knows i have a friend, jenny gold who is the director and we did a movie together about the history disability across the decades. Its not just about being in front of the camera. The most important job in the industry are producers and executives. Until we get more executives with disabilities, we are not going to see the change that we really need. Believe me, when i work with nbc as an advisor, i can tie you it is nasty because they want to see return on investment and they cant market to a big base, forget it. You really have to change the mindset. We have so many questions but im going to have them one after another so i can go around the room an answer. If you can quickly only ask your question and i will get a bunch of them together. Hi, i am a fellow [inaudible] given the fact that even to this day the number of people working in hollywood as actors are still incredibly low. Either schools granted so they can be qualified, et cetera and bring up the numbers. Georgetown university my question is when it comes to cross pollination ideas, who is said where exactly do you define things like best product it says . Best practices . You talked about disabilities not being talked about when i was growing up but i found while learning in my Masters Program that i have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as a few unseen disabilities. Im an actress and a producer and i have an interest in casting. I appreciate what she touched on and steven touched on in the agency that you are starting is going to be directed only to actors or people behind the camera, as well, because i greatly have an interest in getting involved in that. Will go to the front and ill ask this young man and then ill let you answer. Then well go to the side of the room. Hello. Hes been dying to see you. Thank you so much. Is an honor to meet you and i want to give you my two cds. My name is eric and i want to be an actor, bishop and so many more. Ive got two documentaries out. I heard your mom speak highly of you earlier. I was back there. Youve a lot going on for such a young age. Thank you. Thank you, eric. I will answer, i think, your question first. Correct me if i am wrong. Was the question about the training for the actor [inaudible] okay. Thats what we did what we did the diversity thing. We held a huge workshop where it was geared toward actors with disabilities. Myself and a few of the other all of the casting directors on the board of directors for csa casting society of america and then we also reached out to other casting directors who work in society but dont sit on the board. We held a oneday workshop, morning and afternoon, we split the cast classes up in each of us took a group of maybe 1220 actors with disabilities and we worked oneonone with them in classes. Thats what we are hoping to continue. You are right. If you do have to have the proper training. It cant just be because you have a disability you expect to get hired. You know what i mean . You have to have the proper training and thats what were trying to do. Were trying to have these ongoing classes we can teach them the skills that they need so when they come in and audition they will be prepared and ready as opposed to, i dont know [inaudible] you cant go into casting room, you need to know the protocol and if you dont understand that its not going to work is ideal. I just auditioned for cbs, a primetime drama and you just go in there, do your lines and thats it. Just get out. You have to understand that youre probably going to get to know but its okay because youll fit the role that was meant for you. Which one of your favorite movies that you directed . That i cast . One of my favorite movies. So many. You know, thats like taking a favorite pair of shoes. I dont know i guess im dating myself but the very first time i saw my name in the credit and i always refer back to that because thats probably the most dear to me because thats the first time i was in a Movie Theater and i saw my name scroll up. It was so quick that if you blinked you missed it but it was the first time. I was cd4 and it was a spoof on yeah, thats a long time ago, yeah right . One of the films that i really enjoyed the butler because i was able to learn a lot that i didnt know and do a lot of the research and casting. That was probably the one. Hi, nice to meet both of you. First i want to say hi to my mom because she likes your movie, the butler. My question is why do you think its easier to have this kind of thing happened, i forgot, im sorry. I was excited. Take your time, i was excited to. Do you think that people today more open mindset to it or have less prejudice or is this generation more accepting and realized that everybody is equal or what do you think is the difference that helps to push this sort of thing . Thats a good question. Going back to the pipe in question. When you go into in addition, steven, is t