ARE WE THERE YET?

Since 2020 with the new Government initiatives, funding and programs for Black creators what important advances have been made in the industry if any? Has there been a significant increase in the number of Black leadership and decision-making roles, and of Black and Racialized Artists appearing in film, television, behind the scenes, directing and producing? This discussion will feature some of Toronto's top Black industry Creatives who will talk about the changes and advancements if any that have been made and what they have been able to accomplish over the last year and a half.

Moderator: Furqan Mohamed (Writer)

Furqan Mohamed (she/her) is a writer from Toronto. Her work centers around culture and social justice and is often inspired by her diaspora, community, and the stories that can stem from the shared human experience. She currently serves as culture editor for mimp magazine, with her work appearing in Room magazine, Maisonneuve, Toronto Life, and THIS Magazine, among others. Her debut collection of poetry and prose, “A Small Homecoming,” was recently published by Party Trick Press. She is a former Journalism Fellow at The Local and is currently studying at the University of Toronto.

Panellists

Anthony Q Farrell: Showrunner and Executive Producer (Overlord and the Underwoods)

Anthony has served as showrunner for THE PARKER ANDERSONS, AMELIA PARKER, and BAFTA-winning CBBC series SECRET LIFE OF BOYS, which he also created. Anthony is the Showrunner and Executive Producer of sci-fi primetime comedy OVERLORD & THE UNDERWOODS. In the past, he has written for NBC’s THE OFFICE, Canada’s international hit LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE, and Nickelodeon’s THE THUNDERMANS. He lives in Toronto with his amazing family.

Joan Jenkinson: Executive Director (Black Screen Office)

Joan is the inaugural Executive Director of the Black Screen Office where she works to empower Black Canadians working within the screen industries while advocating for equitable policies and practices, free of anti-Black racism. She is a veteran TV executive and producer and has commissioned hundreds of hours of award-winning Canadian content.

Kadon Douglas: Executive Director (BIPOC TV and Film)

Kadon is the inaugural executive director of BIPOC TV & FILM, a Toronto-based nonprofit (founded in 2012) advocating for racial equity and decent work practices in Canada's screen media sector. BIPOC TV & FILM provides training and mentoring programs and wraparound services for racialized and Indigenous creative sector professionals and works in solidarity with its community and industry partners to address and eliminate barriers to career entry and advancement.