Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1277960
14 PRODUCTION SOUND & VIDEO – Summer 2020 NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Mixer Devendra Cleary, 695 Executive Board member, participated in the Santa Monica neighborhood cleanup the morning after the worst of the demonstrations. He and his girlfriend decided to help any way they could. They witnessed the devastation when they went to the hardest hit area at 4th & Santa Monica Boulevard. They were surprised to see that their community had already finished cleaning and boarding up the damaged storefronts. They joined the community-wide effort and united in the 1000 Broom Brigade to support their local businesses hit so hard during this time. Later that day, they went to their neighborhood Vons and helped the store team clean up broken glass and grocery aisles, restoring order inside and out. Devendra says, "I feel great pride in being a resident of Santa Monica, a city that welcomes all, cleaning up the damage seemed the least we could do." On June 28, 2020, President Mark Ulano AMPS named Steve Nelson, Board of Directors, chair of the newly formed Committee for Equity, Diversity & Outreach. Steve has since been joined by Jamie Gambell, Production Sound Mixer, as co-chair. The co-chairs will oversee a committee of Local 695 members working toward three concrete objectives: a platform for essential dialogue, an entry-level training program, and academic outreach. The committee will also address the Local's broader integration agenda, working with established community organizations to ensure equity and diversity are incorporated in a smart, thoughtful way as we move into the future. 695 Equity, Diversity & Outreach Committee MEMBERS IN ACTION continued The West Coast IATSE held three food drives for members and their families to drive through and pick up boxes of food supplies. Very important service during this difficult time. Business Representative Scott Bernard and International Representative Lyle Trachtenberg distribute food to members in need IATSE Food Drives the least we could do." About the Committee for Equity, Diversity & Outreach Recognizing the value in a diverse and inclusive community, the Committee for Equity, Diversity & Outreach works to create an environment where members of all genders, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds can thrive in the workplace, and focusing on improving access to mentorship, giving our new members a chance to forge a career path for themselves. On August 1, 2020, the ED&O Committee hosted its first public event, "Diversity in 695: A Conversation." The two-hour webinar featured some of our most accomplished members of color in conversation with Professor (emeritus) Anna Everett. Dr. Everett is Professor of film and media studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her many publications include the books Returning the Gaze: A Genealogy of Black Film Criticism, 1909-1949; Learning Race and Ethnicity: Youth and Digital Media, for the MacArthur Foundation's Digital Media, Youth and Learning Program; her award-winning book Digital Diaspora: A Race for Cyberspace, and the edited volume Pretty People, among others. She is also a two-time recipient of the Fulbright Senior Scholar Award. Our panelists included Willie D. Burton, Veronica Kahn, Susan Moore-Chong, Chauncy Godwin, Anthony Ortiz, Douglas Shamburger, and Yohannes Skoda. Thanks to all who participated and attended! Ben Greaves