Canadian Artists, Activists, and Leaders Announced to Join New Special CHANGE & ACTION: RACISM IN CANADA this Saturday on CTV

– Guests include Black Lives Matter Toronto founder, Sandy Hudson; author Desmond Cole; singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez; TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey, and more –

– Bell Media president Randy Lennox outlines new Content Diversity Task Force in association with BIPOC TV & Film –

TORONTO, June 12, 2020 /CNW/ - CTV announced today a high-profile lineup of Canadian artists, activists, and leaders to join the recently announced special from Bell Media Studios, CHANGE & ACTION: RACISM IN CANADA. The 90-minute special, committed to amplifying voices in the fight against racism, premieres tomorrow, Saturday, June 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, everywhere CTV content can be found, on all iHeartRadio Canada talk stations, and Sunday, June 14 on Crave.

In the spirit of the special, Bell Media president Randy Lennox outlined today the action the company is taking to increase representation of diverse voices in the content it broadcasts.

"As a media company, we have the responsibility to ensure the content we air is reflective of our viewers and listeners, including Black and Indigenous peoples and People of Colour," said Lennox. "With the Content Diversity Task Force in partnership with BIPOC TV & Film, we're committed to changing the decision-making process in the stories we tell on air and amplifying voices from marginalized communities on our platforms. That starts with tomorrow's special, but we recognize this is only the beginning and there is much work to be done moving forward."

"The Content Diversity Task Force is a good step in the right direction towards more inclusive programming that both reflects and resonates with Canadians, by increasing the representation of BIPOC in front of and behind the camera," said Nathalie Younglai, Founder and CEO, BIPOC TV & Film. "I am glad that BIPOC TV & Film has a seat at the table. We look forward to bringing our voices, concerns, and insights to the conversation with Bell Media and hope we can create meaningful, long-lasting change in the industry, from top to bottom. It's time."

CHANGE & ACTION: RACISM IN CANADA
Hosted by Tyrone Edwards, Marci Ien, Lainey Lui, and Anne-Marie Mediwake, the special features a series of conversations with artists, public officials, business leaders, and activists, and fosters a national dialogue on how Canadians can take action against systemic racism, now and in the future.

The participants announced today include the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger; TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey; former Member of Parliament Celina Caesar-Chavannes; University of Toronto valedictorian Chika Oriuwa; author Desmond Cole; director and producer Julien Christian Lutz - Director X; singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh; rapper Kardinal Offishall; actor Lyriq Bent; Black Lives Matter Toronto founder Sandy Hudson; artist and activist Syrus Marcus Ware; and Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew.

The Bell Media Content Diversity Task Force
Bell Media stands in solidarity with our Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour talent, colleagues, creatives, crew, and production and distribution partners. Comprised of content leaders from Bell Media's news, sports, radio, digital, programming, production, marketing, and communications teams, the Bell Media Content Diversity Task Force:

• recognizes that content decision-makers responsible for the stories told on our platforms and the talent who tell them need to be representative of our audiences;
• recognizes the power of Bell Media's extensive platforms to amplify diverse voices and perspectives;
• commits to reviewing the processes and procedures in bringing content to the screen to ensure diverse voices play an integral role part in the story-telling process

Understanding the need to listen and learn from underrepresented creators as part of the review process, the Task Force will welcome three representatives from BIPOC TV & Film in advisory roles. A grassroots organization and collective of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in Canada's TV and film industry, BIPOC TV & Film is dedicated to increasing the representation of BIPOC both in front and behind the camera.

As part of the newly announced partnership with BIPOC TV & Film, Bell Media commits to advocating for diversity and inclusion across the Canadian media industry through the amplification and support of BIPOC TV & Film initiatives.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter
@BIPOCtvandfilm 
@CTV_PR 
@CTV 
@TheLede_CA

Facebook
Facebook.com/bipoctvandfilm/ 
Facebook.com/CTV 

Instagram
@BIPOCtvfilm 
@CTV_PR 
@CTV 
@TheLede_CA

About BIPOC TV & Film
BIPOC TV & Film is a grassroots organization and collective of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in Canada's TV and film industry. From writers, directors, producers and actors to editors, crew members and executives, our members are a mix of emerging, mid-level and established industry professionals. BIPOC TV & Film is dedicated to increasing the representation of BIPOC both in front and behind the camera.

BIPOC was founded in 2012 as Indigenous & Creatives of Colour in TV & Film by Writer/Director Nathalie Younglai, who saw a need to form a community for others like her, who were also feeling isolated by the overall lack of representation of BIPOC in the industry. This collective is the only intersectional organization in Canada dedicated to providing safe spaces for all Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in the industry.

BIPOC TV & Film hosts a series of panels, Q&A sessions, workshops, networking events and provides opportunities to secure employment in the television and film industry, specifically targeted to BIPOC. We also hold occasional events throughout the year that are open to allies, as we believe the support of allies is integral to creating a welcoming industry for BIPOC. Learn more at www.bipoctvandfilm.com.

About Bell Media Studios
Bell Media Studios is Canada's leading end-to-end content creator, developing and producing 80 hours of live and taped programming in-house, each week. Award-winning titles include ETALK, THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW, THE SOCIAL, YOUR MORNING, and many original specials. The Bell Media Studios-run Exploration Production Inc. (EPI) is a multi-award-winning producer of ambitious, original, entertaining factual documentaries and series, for both Discovery Canada and other international broadcasters, including MIGHTY SHIPS, MIGHTY TRAINS, and the upcoming MARINE DISASTERS. In association with Motion Content Group, Bell Media Studios produces original lifestyle series WHERE TO I DO?. As the majority owner of Pinewood Toronto Studios, Bell Media Studios also oversees operations of the 33.5 acre (13.5 hectares) facility in Toronto's Port Lands. The complex includes 11 purpose-built stages, offices, teaching facilities, and support services for a growing roster of domestic and international film and television clients.

About CTV
CTV is Canada's #1 television brand. CTV provides unparalleled entertainment programming across two broadcast television networks; a powerful suite of specialty channels including CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Drama Channel, CTV Life Channel, and CTV Sci-Fi Channel; and digital platforms CTV.ca, CTV Throwback, CTV Movies, and the CTV app. CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 18 years in a row and features a wide range of sports and information programming, including CTV News, Canada's highest-rated national and local newscasts. CTV comes from Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and out-of-home advertising.

SOURCE CTV

Amanda Rinaldo, Bell Media Studios, [email protected]; Jessica Charbonneau, Bell Media Studios, [email protected]; Judy Lung, BIPOC TV & Film, [email protected]