April 19-21, 2024
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel
Diversity Programming
Friday, April 19, 2024
**All days and times are projected and subject to change. **
Diversity & Casting in Hollywood TIME: TBA
Session Objective: Hosted by a celebrity moderator, this session will focus on auditioning and working in Hollywood for persons with disabilities. This is an open session for all attendees.
Advancing DEIA in Space Mission Leadership
TIME: TBA
Session Objective: Hosted by a career DEIA specialist, this session will focus on the current challenges and strategic initiatives to create an inclusive and welcoming sector in both government and civilian space sectors. This is an open session available for all attendees.
Saturday, April 20. 2024
**All days and times are projected and subject to change. **
Inequality in Hollywood and the Space Industry for People of Color TIME: TBA
Session Objective: Hosted by a celebrity moderator, this panel will include multiple actors of color who will discuss advancements, existing challenges, and what is needed to truly create a climate of equality and equity in the entertainment sector. This is an open session available for all attendees.
Diversity Trailblazers TIME: TBA
Session Objective: Hosted by a career DEIA specialist, this session will feature multiple glass ceiling breaking individuals from across the community including persons of color, transgender and non-binary persons in leadership, and the neurodivergent community. This is an open session available for all attendees.
Trans Youth Are Our Future TIME: TBA
Session Objective: Hosted by a career DEIA specialist, this session will focus on transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Panelist will discuss insights from trans youth about their experiences in institutional settings such as doctors' offices and schools. They'll emphasize the importance of gender-affirming best practices and teach you ways that you can affirm, empower, and protect trans youth to "let kids be kids.” This is an open session available for all attendees.
Understanding LGBTQ+ History & Terminology – An Ally Training Opportunity
Session Objective: Hosted by a career DEIA specialist, this session will be academic based and will focus on the history of the pursuit of equality for the LGBTQ+ community and an introduction to pronouns. This is an open session available for all attendees.
Blood Drive & Health Issues for the LGBTQ+ Community
Session Objective: Hosted by GIS Scholarship Director, this session features a discussion on LGBTQ+ health issues, including the change in the Red Cross rules barring the LGBTQ+ population from donating blood since 1985. Since August 7th, 2023, the exclusion has been lifted and the LGBTQ+ community can now take the same steps to safeguard human life and provide this life altering service. This is an open session available for all attendees.
Sunday, April 21, 2024
**All days and times are projected and subject to change. **
Why Diversity Matters TIME: TBA
Session Objective: Hosted by a career DEIA specialist, this session will feature multiple guests from Hollywood, government, and the private sector to discuss the current state of inclusion. The conversation will focus on barriers and how we can move forward for a more inclusive world. This is an open session available for all attendees.
Fluidity in the Universe TIME: TBA
Session Objective: Hosted by a career DEIA specialist, this session will focus on the fluidity of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The conversation will dialogue on the differences of these related but different aspects of identity in the LGBTQ+ community. This is an open session available for all attendees.
Women of Science Fiction TIME: TBA
Session Objective: Hosted by a celebrity moderator, this session will focus on the challenges faced by women working in the entertainment industry. Despite advances for women in terms of roles and opportunities, there is much more to be done in terms of pay equality, ageism, and recognition. This is an open session available for all attendees.
Embracing Mental Health as a Fandom
Session Objective: Join a dynamic discussion at the intersection of fandom and mental health. Hosted by The Companion’s Rebecca Isbill Davis, this event invites fans, guests, and experts to share their stories of how fandom has positively impacted their mental health and self-worth. This panel marks the first in-person Embracing Mental Health as a Fandom conversation, which began online on The Companion last year with Stargate’s Amanda Tapping. Amanda and The Companion will soon release the first book of the series, a curated collection of stories, letters, art, and photos. It’s a project by fans, for fans, and from fans.