From October 15 to 19, 21st Century Fox colleagues joined in conversation with thought-provoking innovators, educators, authors and artists from around the globe… all focused on the theme of inclusion.
Inclusion Week featured 45 speakers at events in more than a dozen cities across four continents, including Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., London, Bangalore, Bangkok, Mexico City, Santiago and São Paolo, among others; with each presentation available for the company’s colleagues around the world to live stream or watch on demand.
“We hope to inspire all of our colleagues around the globe to commit to personal actions that will drive an inclusive culture within their teams, workplaces and society,” said MyKhanh Shelton, Senior Vice President, 21CF Global Inclusion. “There is no better time—with the current transforming media and entertainment landscape, our own company changes and heightened social awareness—to engage in meaningful conversation and connect around the theme of inclusion.”
Select Inclusion Week event highlights include:
- “From Football to Feminism”– introduced by FOX Sports President Eric Shanks, former NFL player Wade Davis and FOX NFL’s Curt Menefee discussed Davis’ journey from closeted gay athlete to front-and-center social justice advocate. Davis made the case for men to educate themselves and understand that the feminist movement and equality is beneficial to all. Hosted on the Fox Studios Lot in Los Angeles.
- “The Hate U Give” – screenings of the new drama from 20th Century Fox about code switching between two worlds and Starr Carter finding her voice after the uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered by the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend. Author Angie Thomas, who wrote the book on which the film is based, appeared for a special insider’s look and Q&A session with colleagues in New York; while Director George Tillman joined colleagues in London for a special discussion.
- “In Conversation: Cindy Bishop, Pangina Heals and Woody Milintachinda” – celebrities who built their careers in Asia spoke about authenticity, LGBTQ rights and gender equality. Hosted by Fox Networks Group Asia in Bangkok, Thailand.
- “Inclusion of People with Disabilities” – FNG General Manager Brazil Michel Piestun joined in conversation in São Paulo with Diversity Leader Eliane Ranierie about how to create a more inclusive culture, particularly for those with disabilities. Occupational Therapist Andrea Zondek Darmstadter from the University of Chile, also shared insights and advice on the inclusion of people with disabilities with colleagues in Santiago, Chile.
- “Leveraging the Hispanic Market: 2018 World Cup” – FOX Deportes and FOX Sports scored this summer with the power of inclusion. Their 2018 World Cup production won over the large and diverse U.S. Hispanic population; and FOX Deportes VP of Production Orlando Silver joined broadcasters Fernando Fiore, Mariano Trujillo, Rodolfo Landeros and Yanira Gianola to provide the case study for inclusion, including how bilingual and bicultural talent played an important role.
- “Uncovering Talent: A New Model for Inclusion” – Professor Kenji Yoshino discussed how people often face the pressure to ‘cover,’ or downplay their outsider attributes to blend into mainstream; and provided colleagues with concrete and actionable solutions for creating and sustaining a more inclusive work place culture that benefits everyone.
- “The Difference: How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups” – Author and Professor Scott Page shared his research demonstrating how groups with a range of perspectives outperform groups of like-minded experts. Hosted by National Geographic at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
- “Your Difference is Your Destiny” – DeVon Franklin, successful movie producer, bestselling author and motivational speaker, was Inclusion Week’s closing keynote speaking to hundreds of colleagues on the Fox Lot. He shared the secrets to building a purposeful life and career by owning who you are and showing up as your authentic self.
Thousands of colleagues participated in Inclusion Week in various ways: attending the sessions in host cities, watching via live stream/webinars, viewing event/speaker videos, hosting viewing parties, designing supplemental events to localize global programming.
The company continues to design initiatives that foster a culture and work environment where anyone from anywhere feels welcome and can thrive. Learn more about these efforts at inclusion.21CF.com.
