Diverse Perspectives Series

Diverse Perspectives Series (2021)
Diverse Perspectives promotional poster

To paraphrase James Baldwin, nothing can be changed until it is faced. This is certainly true of the inequities that have historically shaped digital media content, fields, and careers. In spring 2021, UConn’s Digital Media & Design department welcomed industry professionals, artists, and media scholars from film, game, design, cultural and other sectors to discuss how issues of equity manifest in their work, creative processes, and professions, allowing us to reflect on how our own practice can support greater equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Subscribe to the UConn DMD YouTube page to view each of these recorded live events!

The Diverse Perspectives series was supported by a 1-credit course DMD 3998/5998 - Toward Equity: The Digital Media & Design Speaker Series taught by professor Clarissa Ceglio. In addition to learning about how issues of


2021 Series Events Schedule

Amplifying Black Voices in Hollywood 

The Diverse Perspectives in Digital Media & Design: 2021 Speaker Series
Friday, February 19, 2021
1pm to 8pm EST

Join us on Jorgensen Digital Stage for the inaugural event of UConn DMD’s Diverse Perspectives in Digital Media & Design: 2021 Speaker Series, Amplifying Black Voices in Hollywood. To paraphrase James Baldwin, nothing can be changed until it is faced. This is certainly true of the inequities that have historically shaped the entertainment industry, both on-screen and behind the scenes.

This one-day summit, which ran from 1pm to 8pm EST, featured conversations with Black leaders from various sectors of the film industry and examined its changing landscape by exploring efforts to increase diversity in all aspects of Hollywood from screenwriting, to development and production, producing and directing, and visual effects and post-production. Learn from some of Hollywood’s best, and see how they are challenging the status quo to transform the entertainment industry as we know it. 

Summit Schedule (Friday, February 19, 2021):

1:00 PM, EST

Small Screen, Big Impact: Creating Content for Underrepresented Voices in Digital Media

Numa Perrier, Director of “Jezebel”

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2:30 PM, EST

Reforming Hollywood's Writers' Rooms: How the TV Crime Genre Normalizes Injustice

Kristen Marston, Culture & Entertainment Advocacy Director at Color of Change Hollywood

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4:00 PM, EST

Diversity Matters: The Value of Inclusion in Visual Effects

Chris White, Visual Effects Supervisor at WETA Digital

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5:30 PM, EST

Challenging the Status Quo: Authentic Storytelling at the Studio Level

Alana Mayo, President of Orion Pictures

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7:00 PM, EST

Fighting for Equity in Hollywood: Leveraging Film as a Conduit for Change

Romany Malco, Actor/Director of “Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison”

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Monday, February 22, 2021

Bl(x)ck Rhizomes: A Digital Public History Praxis

Aleia Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Director of the African American History, Culture and Digital Humanities Initiative

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Friday, February 26, 2021

"Not Just a Princess:” Women in Animation

Searit Huluf, Story Coordinator at Pixar Animation Studios
Alex Rosenberg, Production Manager at Netflix Animation 

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Friday, March 5, 2021

Representations of Religion in Cinema

Shawn Snyder, Director / Co-Writer of “To Dust”

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Friday, March 12, 2021, 1:00 PM, EST

Culture Changes Us: How Stories Work on Hearts, Minds & Bodies

Dr. Heidi Boisvert, interdisciplinary artist & creative technologist

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Friday, March 19, 2021

From Festival to Distribution: Getting Your Film Seen as a Female Filmmaker

Featuring Cherrypicks and SXSW 2021 female filmmakers:
Paola Calvo, Director of “Luchadoras”
Jennifer Holness, Director/Screenwriter of “Subjects of Desire”
Kelley Kai, Director/Writer/Star of “I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)”
Meg McCarthy, Content & Programming Executive at CherryPicks
Leah Purcell, Director/Writer/Star of “The Drover’s Wife (Legend of Molly Johnson)”

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Friday, March 26, 2021

Complex Narratives and Indigenous Solidarity 

Tracy Rector, Filmmaker, Nia Tero
Raven Two Feathers, Filmmaker
Jin Yoo-Kim, Producer / Impact Producer

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Friday, April 2, 2021

Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion by UX Design

Deneva Goins, UX designer, VMware

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Friday, April 9, 2021, 12:00 PM, EDT

Diverse Perspectives Festival Spotlight: “Lucky Grandma”

Sasie Sealy, director / co-writer of “Lucky Grandma”

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Saturday, April 24, 2021, 7:00 PM, EDT

“Summertime” Virtual Red Carpet and Festival Screening CANCELLED

Featuring Q&A with DirectorCarlos López Estrada
And on the virtual red carpet: 
Raul Herrera Jr. - Actor & Poet
Madyson Park - Actor & Poet

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