Dreams really do come true! According to the Economic Times , Brandy Fisher-Blood will now lead the company’s Diversity & Inclusion Strategies and will be responsible for overseeing diversity and inclusion efforts across Walt Disney Animation Studios. She will also serve as the primary strategic consultant to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ business leaders and creative leaders which includes directors, producers, and production leadership along with its Human Resources partners. Fisher-Blood will bring insight on the best inclusion methods that will help to broaden Walt Disney’s inclusion commitment both internally and externally. “I was 8 [years] old when the first BIPOC Disney Princess hit the big screen and no words can express how it felt to [finally] see an animated Disney character resemble me on TV, in stores, on lunchboxes at school, on t-shirts at the playground, and much more,” said Fisher-Blood in an interview with the Economic Times. Fisher-Blood will be responsible for...

Bank of America is standing on its commitment to uplift and support the Black community. According to a press release, the financial institution has announced its move of $22 million in philanthropic funding that will support education, entrepreneurship, health and housing, and jobs for people and communities of color. This initiative continues to deliver on its $1 billion, four-year commitment to advance economic opportunity and racial equality. The grants will build on its $250 million in philanthropic funding the company allocates annually to nonprofit partners that will address critical needs in the communities that they serve. “Workforce development, job creation, and access to health and housing services are some of the most pressing needs facing Black, Hispanic-Latino and Native American individuals,” said Ebony Thomas, Bank of America’s Racial Equality and Economic Opportunity Executive in a news release. “By providing this support alongside our national and local partners,...

Ulta Beauty has reiterated its commitment to investing in Black-owned beauty brands. Not only has the beauty retail giant announced Tracee Ellis Ross as its new Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, but it will also invest $25 million into providing more access to the industry for BIPOC brands along with more shelf space for Black-owned brands. In her new role, Ross will provide insight and counsel while driving accountability to Ulta Beauty with a primary focus on diverse leadership development, BIPOC brand development, and supplier diversity. “I look forward to formalizing an already existing dialogue and partnership around diversity and inclusion with Mary Dillon and the Ulta Beauty team,” said the “Black-ish” star in a press statement. “This work requires commitment and accountability from Ulta Beauty to ensure measurable goals are achieved. I am hopeful and optimistic our work together will create foundational change.” Inclusive branding within marketing campaigns is another...

More Black women are stepping into leadership roles within the media and entertainment industries, and this week SiriusXM and Pandora Music has named Nicole Hughey as its new vice president of diversity & inclusion, Variety reports . We’re thrilled to welcome Nicole Hughey, our new Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion, to the @SIRIUSXM + @pandoramusic family! We couldn’t be more excited to have her on board. Welcome, Nicole! #sxmpandoralife pic.twitter.com/LvG7Y9bEPy — SiriusXMLife (@siriusxmlife) July 16, 2020 Hughey’s new position is based out of New York, and she’s expected to report to Dara Altman, the company’s chief administrative officer. According to the company’s memo, Hughey will have a hand in creating and executing programs as well as evaluating the company’s policies and practices to “enable us to cultivate an organization with individuals of diverse backgrounds at all levels, and where all of our people are included and have the opportunity to grow and succeed.”...