*The Sony email hack has generated a positive step in the right direction with the formation of the Hollywood Diversity Task Force.
Selected members of the Task Force include actress/producer, Vivica A. Fox as well as former Fox head of diversity Ron Taylor; CEO and founder of Hollywood Black Film Festival Tanya Kersey; Nobel Laureate, Dr. Woodrow Clark; producer/director Jean- Claude La Marre; Rev. K.W Tulloss of the National Action Network; Pastor William Smart Jr., of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and author/filmmaker Gary Hardwick, according to MadameNoire.com.
The formation of the force, which was announced by the Rev. Al Sharpton, comes as a direct response to leaked racially insensitive emails Sony executives sent to one another about President Barack Obama, Kevin Hart and other black entertainers.
La Marre noted the importance of the Force via the following statement:
“As a 15-year veteran of this business, first as an actor then as a director, this is not only an important step in the right direction for Sony, it’s a necessary step.”
The Task Force is set to hit the ground running as it plans to meet with Sony executive Amy Pascal later this month to discuss how Sony can change their business practices regarding people of color.
