The entertainment industry has long been criticized for its lack of representation and opportunities for BIPOC. Black women, in particular, have been at the forefront of advocating for change in the industry, highlighting the unique challenges they face due to the intersection of race and gender. Despite their efforts, their voices have often been ignored. However, a new initiative called #ShareTheMicNow aims to change that.
Co-founded by Bozoma Saint John, Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Glennon Doyle, and Stacey Bendet, #ShareTheMicNow is a social media campaign designed to amplify the voices of Black women. The initiative involves 100 women from across Hollywood, including Angelica Ross, Ashley Judd, Elaine Welteroth, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kahlana Barfield Brown, Julia Roberts, Tarana Burke, and Kourtney Kardashian. Black women will share their experiences on the Instagram accounts of white women in Hollywood, providing a platform for their voices to be heard.
The campaign aims to tackle the systemic issues faced by Black women and inspire radical change throughout the entertainment industry and the world. As the founders put it, "When the world listens to women, it listens to white women." #ShareTheMicNow seeks to center the experiences of Black women and inspire meaningful action.
In line with this initiative, Hanna Griffiths has partnered with Autumn Breon, the mastermind behind (Don't) Use Me, the first iteration of the Frieze Art Fair located in Los Angeles, CA. Breon's work centres around the pay disparity between Black women and their white counterparts. Together, they aim to create a unifying action that centres Black women's lives, stories and calls to action.
Rather than empty platitudes or performative gestures, #ShareTheMicNow seeks to effect change by empowering Black women to tell their own stories. By giving them a platform on which to be heard, the initiative hopes to create a more inclusive and equitable entertainment industry.
To learn more about Autumn Breon's work, visit her website or follow her on Instagram. #ShareTheMicNow
