When it comes to diversity and inclusion, Ava DuVernay continues to show Hollywood how it’s really done.
The When They See Us director has achieved full gender parity in her latest OWN show Cherish the Day.
According to Deadline, DuVernay has created a production crew of over 50 percent women, including 18 female department heads. Women on the production can be found across directing, writing, production design, camera, set design, casting, key craft service, costume, hair, makeup, editing, medical, set decoration, sound, grip, electric, transportation, accounting, locations and stunts, along with serving as post-production supervisor, property master and script supervisor.
“Please never let folks tell you it’s not possible. ‘We can’t find women to do that job.’ Nonsense,” Duvernay wrote in a tweet in response to the news. “We achieved full gender parity on our new show CHERISH THE DAY with a production crew of over 50% women, including 18 lady department heads. Because we tried and made it so.”
DuVernay has a track record of pushing for gender parity on her productions. When Queen Sugar debuted in 2016, DuVernay made headlines for her decision to only hire women directors. Over the years that production has increased its gender parity in its directors, and writers among other departments of the show.
“Ava continues to break down barriers as a trailblazer,” adds Oprah Winfrey, CEO of OWN. “Achieving a production crew of over 50% women is an incredible accomplishment and we are so proud that Ava has a space at OWN to provide opportunity for new voices and faces in the entertainment industry.” Cherish the Day, which is set to premiere in the winter of 2020, follows the relationship of one couple, with each episode spanning a single day over their relationship over five years.
