Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/72909
For Members I AM PWD CAMPAIGN WRAPS UP, LOOKS TO THE FUTURE of people with disabilities in the media marked the end of a successful collaboration with a bicoastal industry summit. The Jan. 12 I AM PWD event, A ſter three years, the Tri-Union partnership to promote inclusion Employment Policy. "As the number of (Seinfeld) and Robert David Hall (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), the summit featured a lively discussion about what was accomplished over the last three years and the work yet to be done. Keynote addresses were given by RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad) in Los Angeles and in New York by Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary of labor at the U.S Department of Labor's Office of Disability Disability IS Diversity: Reflecting the True American Scene, included casting directors, filmmakers and studio and union representatives at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and at Baruch College in New York. It focused on ways to increase the visibility of both actors and characters with disabilities in popular entertainment, as well as the employment of journalists with disabilities. Co-hosted by Danny Woodburn UNION BOOSTS FILM LIFE FOUNDATION national co-chair of the SAG Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee, and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White to speak at the NFL Pro Hollywood Boot Camp. The foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity in the entertainment industry by supporting underprivileged minority youth with interest in careers in television and film. The four-day program, held at Universal O n April 5, the Film Life Foundation invited Bertila Damas, former Studios, offered intensive education workshops created to encourage and support former and current NFL players 18 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2012 | SAGAFTRA.org disabled Americans continues to grow, the entertainment industry has a responsibility to accurately reflect the world in which we live," said Christine Bruno, I AM PWD campaign co-chair. "Our job as arts and entertainment professionals is to connect with the audience by telling authentic stories and depicting multidimensional, complex characters from America's rich and diverse landscape that reflect our shared humanity." Diana Elizabeth Jordan, I AM PWD From left, SAG-AFTRA Co-President Ken Howard, SAG-AFTRA National Board member Bob Butler, actor Danny Woodburn, SAG-AFTRA Co- President Roberta Reardon and actor Robert David Hall has made sure that people with disabilities will never be forgotten when discussing diversity and who we mean when we say the American Scene." I AM PWD, which stands for Inclusion campaign co-chair, stated, "We know that the entertainment and news media reflects back to us who we are, what we do, and whether or not we are truly a part of the American Scene — or are erased from it entirely and cease to exist. This campaign in the pursuit of post-sports careers in the entertainment industry. The boot camp gave players the opportunity to learn the basics of filmmaking and to explore various areas of the industry through classes, lectures, mentoring and hands-on projects. John Singleton, Robert Townsend and Damon Wayans were among the professionals who led events at the boot camp. Then, on April 21, the former SAG National EEO Committee showed further support for the Film Life Foundation by sponsoring the American Black Film Festival's (ABFF) first annual celebrity bowling fundraiser, ABFF Strikes for Education. The event brought together artists and industry professionals for a night of fun knocking down pins while raising support for the Foundation. To learn more about ABFF, visit abff.com. in the Arts and Media of People With Disabilities, was a three-year campaign formed by the Performers With Disabilities Tri-Union Committee of Actors' Equity, AFTRA and SAG in response to the lack of representation in popular entertainment of people with disabilities. SAG-AFTRA members of the former SAG National EEO Committee at the American Black Film Festival's first annual celebrity bowling fundraiser, from left, John Wooten, Jason George, Bertila Damas, Andrea Lyman and Shyla La'Sha.