Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video DEI head to leave company

by

As a seasoned cinephile with decades of experience in the film industry, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness upon hearing that Latasha Gillespie is leaving Amazon MGM Studios. Gillespie’s departure marks yet another exit from the world of DEI leadership in Hollywood, following a wave of departures at major entertainment and media entities like Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. Discovery.

The global leader for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at Amazon MGM Studios is set to depart from the company in August.

In 2018, Latasha Gillespie initiated Amazon’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative after spending seven years there, with the last five years being part of their studio team.

Gillespie will carry on collaborating with the studio as an advisor for a while. In the meantime, Amanda Baker-Lane, with over 14 years of expertise in this domain and nearly a decade of it spent at Amazon, will step into the DEI head position.

In a private communication, Gillespie expressed that her leaving would bring both sadness and joy, and she took pride in the ways our projects made a difference in the world.

“Gillespie shared that it’s uncommon to begin a new project with your current organization’s backing and simultaneously help advance the careers of those you have mentored,” he expressed. “I am excited to explore other areas I am equally enthusiastic about, such as public speaking engagements, podcast hosting, consulting services, and executive coaching.”

In a private communication, Jennifer Salke, the leading figure at Amazon MGM Studios, acknowledged Gillespie’s significant contribution in establishing the Howard Entertainment Program. This collaborative initiative between the studio and Howard University includes an on-site mental health program and various accessibility programs aimed at underrepresented communities, expanding their opportunities within the industry.

“Under her guidance, we created resources promoting inclusivity, leading to fairer narratives and productions,” is one way to paraphrase the original statement.

Approximately one year ago, several diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders left prominent entertainment and media companies such as Walt Disney Co. and WarnerMedia (now WarnerBros. Discovery) among others. In response to this trend, the recent announcement was made.

Read More

2024-07-18 22:27