The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) will host a Guests and Gusto symposium titled Pass the Mic: Multicultural Representation in the Business of Film on Friday, March 5, at noon EST. Three compelling sessions will address the importance of diverse voices in film and how these voices impact how projects are developed, advertised and marketed, with special attention paid to female leadership and mentoring.

Developed with the input and support of DeDe Brown, Senior Vice President of National Publicity for Paramount Pictures, the event will feature influential Black and Latinx executives from top film studios, agencies and production companies. Confirmed guests include:

• DeDe Brown, SVP National Publicity (Paramount Pictures)

• Michelle Huff, Founder & President (Strategic Heights)

• Jon Gist, Director, Multicultural Publicity (Universal Pictures)

• LaMont Shedrick, Chief Distribution Officer (Fall Line Entertainment)

• Otoja Abit, Actor, Producer, Writer, Director & Founder of Willful Productions

• Shayla Cowan, Chief of Staff (Will Packer Productions)

• Gabrielle Galore, Producer (Glore Group)

• Gilda Squire, Founder (Squire Media and Management)

• Heather Washington VP of Development (Westbrook Studios)

• Jill Munroe, Entertainment and Culture influencer

Pass the Mic: Multicultural Representation in the Business of Film is co-hosted by SCADFILM and the Walter O. Evans Center for African American Studies.

SCAD is offering Pass the Mic: Multicultural Representation in the Business of Film as a free and open public event. For more information and/or to register, please visit https://www.scad.edu/event/2021-03-05-pass-mic-multicultural-representation-business-film.