Issa Rae to bring diversity to Hollywood with new Columbia Pictures deal

Multi-talented African American actress, writer, producer and director Issa Rae is poised to bring diversity to Hollywood after signing a multi-year deal with Colombia Pictures.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the deal is in partnership with the Insecure co-creator and star’s ColorCreative company which focuses exclusively on diverse, emerging writers and exceptional storytellers for film, television, and digital.

As part of the contract, Issa Rae’s company will be in charge of 
promoting up-and-coming writers with diverse backgrounds. The deal will also function as a part mentorship program and part studio diversity initiative under which selected participants will work with Rae and the studio to develop and write features based on their original ideas. Participants will be announced in the spring of 2019.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Rae said: “Working with Bryan Smiley and Columbia Pictures to further the mission ColorCreative set out to achieve four years ago in creating access for underrepresented writers, has been a dream come true.” 

For Columbia head, Sanford Panitch: “Issa is a force of nature, and a magnet for talented people. We couldn’t be more excited to join her in her mission to pave the way for fresh and authentic voices.”

The exciting news gives hope to many black creatives who have dreams of entering into the film and production industry.

2019 seems like a promising year for the black community with more opportunities.