Today WarnerMedia, the parent company of Warner Bros., announced that the company will be taking proactive steps to bring more diversity to their media—in front of and behind the camera. This means that WarnerMedia divisions HBO and Turner Broadcasting will also be a part of this move.
Actor Michael B. Jordan, best known for his role in the movie Black Panther, teamed up with the company to launch a diversity and inclusion initiative. His film Just Mercy, just starting production in Atlanta, will be the first project to use inclusion riders, which are legal provisions placed in contracts that mandate certain diversity and inclusion standards.
This comes on the heels of an announcement from Jordan after the Oscars this year that his company Outlier Society would be using inclusion riders. He said he was inspired by Frances McDormand’s acceptance speech for her award for her leading role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
“Inclusivity has always been a no-brainer for me, especially as a black man in this business,” Jordan said. “[But] it wasn’t until Frances McDormand spoke the two words that set the industry on fire — inclusion rider — that I realized we could standardize this practice. It allowed me to formally pledge my production company, Outlier Society, to a way of doing business.”
It’ll be interesting to see if the rider does end up serving as intended. Specifics about the policy aren’t yet available, but Warner says they will be collaborating with writers, directors, and producers to create a plan—here’s hoping those they consult are a diverse body of people who are well-informed about diversity and inclusion. Fortunately, the public will get to see how well this new initiative works. They also intend to issue annual reports on their progress.
In a statement, WarnerMedia shows they aim to set an example in the entertainment industry.
“Together with other production companies, networks, guilds, unions, talent agencies and others in the industry, we all must ensure there is greater inclusion of women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, those with disabilities and other underrepresented groups in greater numbers both in front of and behind the camera.”
Here’s hoping other companies will follow suit.