Black Women Executives Are Exiting Studio Leadership Positions And We Want Answers

✍🏾: @lexisryann

A mass departure of Black women from senior leadership positions across Hollywood over the last few weeks has people talking.

In the last month, six Black women executives have suddenly left their positions at major studios in Hollywood. Many headed the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) departments, putting them on the frontlines of more significant efforts to change corporate cultures and hiring practices.

The exits include Karen Horne, who led DEI efforts at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Jeanell English, executive VP of impact and inclusion at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

The other prominent executives are Netflix’s Vernā Myers, the streamer’s first head of inclusion; Disney’s LaTondra Newton, chief diversity officer and senior VP; and another Warner Bros. executive, Terra Potts, VP of worldwide marketing.

The high-profile exits have sparked outrage on social media, with concerns that major studios are not upholding their commitment to elevate more people of color to positions of power.

According to multiple industry sources, more BIPOC executives are expected to join them in the coming weeks, Variety reports.

What are your thoughts, ladies? #BWLM💕