The Television Academy has signed a deal with diversity consulting firm ReadySet to evaluate the organization’s inclusion and representation practices.
The announcement comes as another awards-giving body, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. (which oversees the Golden Globes), has come under fire for its lack of any Black members. In the case of the TV Academy, which operates the Emmy Awards, ReadySet will help the org develop a strategic action plan, beginning with an analysis of the Academy’s overall policies and procedures and its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The Academy said the initiative will start out with a series of membership, leadership and staff surveys to assess staff and member composition, attitudes and perceptions regarding DEI, opportunities for improvement, and expansion of current practices.
“We recognize the power of television to tell our stories, shape our conversations and influence the way that we see the world,” Television Academy chairman Frank Scherma. “For this reason, it’s important that our industry reflect the world at large on- and off-screen. Now, more than ever, we believe we must increase visibility, equity and power for those marginalized and underrepresented in our industry. For the Academy, that work starts with our membership, leadership and staff.”
The Academy said it will update its membership throughout the year on the study’s progress.
(Excerpt) Read more in: Variety