by Ray Hayes
Attorney Jaia Thomas recently launched the Diverse Representation, an online directory that features Black entertainment agents, attorneys, managers, and publicists. The goal of the platform is to increase diversity within the entertainment industry.
For now, Thomas’ directory is focused on talent in the Los Angeles area but the Diverse Representation founder has plans to grow her database to a national level soon. Current plans include the inclusion of New York and Atlanta talent within the coming months.
Thomas spoke to Black Enterprise about Diverse Representation, stating that “Oftentimes, when we speak about diversity in the entertainment industry it is limited to the perspective of those names and faces we see on screen. Rarely do we speak about it from the perspective of those doing the legwork behind the screen who represent those talents by negotiating fair deals and fostering relationships for future work,”
Diverse Representation has already found some prominent names in the entertainment industry to support its cause, including Dana Sims who joined ICM Partners as an agent in the motion picture talent department, Attorney Nina Shaw (represents Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o) from Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano, and many more.
