The Black Screen Office (BSO) has announced the participants for its first Business Exchange initiative, taking place at its second annual symposium in Toronto.

The BSO Symposium, hosted by Andrea Bain (pictured), co-host of CTV’s The Social, will be held at the Toronto Region Board of Trade on April 1. The event, following last year’s sold-out edition, will offer various panel sessions and networking opportunities with executives.

The Business Exchange component of the program, making its debut this year, will offer small group meetings with 23 executives from Canada and the U.S.

Among those executives are Jason Harvey, EVP and head of BET+; Elon D. Johnson, VP, development, Tyler Perry Studios; Mark R. Wright, VP, Higher Ground Productions; Chris Bell, manager, content, Netflix Canada; Lea Marin, director of development, drama, scripted, CBC; John Gibson, VP of external and multicultural affairs, Motion Picture Association; and Kaylon Hunt, VP, JuVee Productions.

Other participants include James Dubose, founder and CEO of In the Black Network; Jeffrey L. Orridge, CEO, TVOntario; Damon D’Oliveira, partner, Conquering Lion Pictures; Richard Jean-Baptiste, VP of business innovation, Attraction; Jennifer Holness, president, Hungry Eyes Media; Andrew Kelly, VP, scripted development, Lionsgate Canada; Michael S. Maponga, founder, AfroLand TV; and Kenneth Giford, founder, Vault Access.

Also taking part are Nancy Dubuisson, COO and head of programming, Natyf TV; Jean-Yves Roux, founder and CEO, Natyf; Jessica Shadlock, director, creative affairs, Boat Rocker Studios; Sam Linton, VP, production and development, global media, Blue Ant Media; and Dillon Taylor, development executive, prime time drama, Shaftesbury.

Lastly, the lineup includes Keziah Myers, executive director for ADVANCE; Tse Daniel, director of development, Bay Mills Studio; and Li Yeh, director of strategic and original programming, Bell Media.

Speakers for the event will include Cameron Bailey, CEO of Toronto International Film Festival; Joy Loewen, VP of growth and inclusion for the Canada Media Fund; and director, screenwriter and producer R.T. Thorne.

Both the Business Exchange and the Symposium require pre-registration, which opens March 12.

Image courtesy of the Black Screen Office