Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was a major throughline at this year’s Black Screen Office (BSO) Symposium as Black creatives from Canada and the U.S. discussed attacks on the framework and how to implement it effectively.

The second annual BSO Symposium was held at the Toronto Region Board of Trade yesterday (April 1). The event is focused on celebrating Black culture while empowering creatives in the screen industry.

Discussions of DEI maintained a strong presence at the Symposium’s panels, with speakers discussing how it feels that there has been a strong push away from telling stories from marginalized communities, with projects simply involving Black creatives being labelled pejoratively as DEI.

The Symposium also occurred in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive orders explicitly targeting DEI policies. However, closing speaker Cameron Bailey, Toronto International Film Festival CEO, (pictured right) also noted that anti-DEI sentiment and movement away from Black stories is present in Canada.

“It is a hell of a vibe shift … It’s not just coming over the border from the States, it’s here as well,” said Bailey during an interview with Kathleen Newman-Bremang (pictured left), deputy director, global at Refinery29 Unbothered. “Never let anybody tell you that diversity and equity and inclusion are bad words or bad ideas. That’s nuts.”

Bailey added, in the case of what TIFF does, that there’s nothing wrong with opening up space for others so that they can see their stories on screen.

In an earlier panel, moderated by Amanda Parris, The Fifth Estate executive producer Allya Davidson discussed how DEI is being treated by many as a bonus instead of necessary.

“DEI is not a luxury, but it’s being treated as a luxury,” said Davidson. “It is being treated as a nice to have when, in fact, it is fundamental.”

She also talked about using her position to bring Black stories in media outside of outliers to accurately represent Canada. For example, Black experts talking about tech innovations and Black doctors talking out outbreaks instead of defaulting to white people.

“We don’t need to be in our special own little corners,” said Davidson.

Another discussion point around DEI was the terminology itself, with Canada Media Fund VP of growth and inclusion Joy Loewen saying that progress can be letting go of language that may be a barrier.

“At its essence, we’re seeking greater access and for more representation,” said Loewen (pictured left) in a conversation with BSO co-founder and CEO Joan Jenkinson (pictured right). “What that is termed today is not necessarily what it is going to be termed tomorrow. So, it’s less of a movement and more of the work that we do to create growth in the industry.”

For Loewen, one of the larger issues affecting Black creators is accessibility, as those from outside industry centres like Toronto will not have the same access and opportunity as those within them. She also noted that not being familiar with industry language and jargon can make it difficult to understand what guidelines and applications may be asking for.

One panel, touched on the importance of international coproductions, while another featured panelists highlighting the importance of distribution networks for Black creators.

At that panel featuring four U.S. members of the lobbying group Streaming Innovation Alliance, Dallas-based AfroLandTV and Maponga Studios founder Michael S. Maponga spoke about how, without distribution for and by Black creators, the creators will never be fully in control.

“Us as Black folks, filmmakers, creators … we need to control the distribution. That’s our biggest problem.” said Maponga. “Narrative is great, and we’ve made improvements there, but we’re always begging folks to take our stories. And, if we don’t create our own [distribution], we’re going to always beg.”

At the Symposium, the BSO announced that it will release its anti-Black racism framework for the end of April with the policy framework currently being finalized in French and English. The document will contain 28 recommendations across a variety of topics, including the definition of anti-Black racism and hiring practices.