elevating black voices: Vol 3
Artists Creating Entertainment is proud to announce the return of Elevating Black Voices. Launched in 2020 as a platform to shine light on the challenges, issues and opportunities affecting the black creatives and entrepreneurs within the entertainment and event industry, the series is back for its third installment – and its first in person session for the panelists to reflect, assess and discuss the progress made and the work that still lays ahead.
The 2023 panelists for Elevating Black Voices include several returning faces as well as newcomers to the conversation. Moderated by Creative Director and choreographer Gerran Reese and Artists Creating
Entertainment founder Masha Berenboym, the panel discussion features artists from LA´s thriving dance and entertainment community, including filmmaker and choreographer Jamila Glass; saxophonist, songwriter, and producer J.Boykin; dancer and roller skating artist Jasmine Moore; and dancer, artist, teacher and returning panelist, Dorian Aleccia.
Throughout the interactive conversation, panelists discuss the development of their racial identity, address issues of inequality, assess the progress of the last three years, and their unfaltering love of the arts and creativity.
Having spent the last ten years in the entertainment and event industry, the effects of 2020 left Masha Berenboym with a heavy heart – the dead halt of live entertainment was a blimp on her radar compared to the racial issues that gripped the nation. Married to a Brazilian of African descent and working alongside talented black creatives long before the inception of Artists Creating Entertainment, Masha´s goal was to create an outlet, an opportunity for fellow artists to speak up about the state of the industry and the disparity that was rampant in the industry.
“There’s no denying that 2020 changed the reality for most of us. It also gave us the opportunity to reflect and shine light on issues that for so long were bubbling under the surface. It brings me great joy to continue these insightful, powerful conversations with new and familiar faces. And to do in in person was a very healing experience. There’s something very special about coming together, seeing the value of being together and expressing our passions.”
Today, the goal of the conversations remains the same: to provide uplifting and motivational content while telling the stories of some of the hottest up and coming creatives on the rise. Elevating Black Voices stands firm in making sure black communities are heard with a mission to deliver true and insightful information to empower those communities. The future of diversity, equality, and inclusion starts today; Elevating Black Voices invites everyone to take part in that shift.