TheWrap is pleased to announce that Universal Television President Pearlena Igbokwe, Producer Monica Owusu-Breen and Creator and Executive Producer Jason Katims will join NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke for a discussion titled “Embracing Inclusion: Telling Stories that Champion a New Narrative” at the Power Women Breakfast LA on Thursday October 26.
Pearlena Igbokwe oversees creative programming for one of the country’s most successful production companies, Universal TV. She is involved in developing a diverse slate of comedies including “Master of None,” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and dramas such as “Shades of Blue” and “Chicago Fire.”
Monica Owusu-Breen is an executive producer and showrunner on NBC’s supernatural thriller “Midnight, Texas,” a show about outsiders coming together. Her credits also include a co-executive producer role on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and and the cult genre classic “Fringe.”
Jason Katims is the creator, executive producer and showrunner of the upcoming new drama “Rise” a musical set in a working-class high school drama program. He has won numerous accolades for critically acclaimed series including “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood.”
They will discuss how they are creating change through developing, writing and producing stories of inclusion that encourage understanding. The breakfast will also offer a courageous group of sexual assault victims including actress Claire Forlani, Fox 11 news anchor Lauren Sivan and others to be named who will talk about how to encourage a gender-balanced landscape where women can thrive. The founder and CEO of ID, Kelly Bush Novak, will also join the conversation.
The day will also feature rising star Brooklynn Prince, actress “The Florida Project” and Courage in Journalism Award-winner Saniya Toiken of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakhstan, where journalists are routinely threatened, beaten, or killed because of their work.
The speaker program will be followed by a special #MeToo Town Hall that will be live streamed and moderated by Producer Hilary Shor and Producer, Director and Photographer Jeff Vespa. An expert panel will offer actionable steps for dealing with difficult situations of sexual assault and harassment in the workplace and an open forum for sharing stories in a safe environment. Confirmed speakers include Greenberg Glusker Partner Priya Sopori and Women in Media Executive Director Tema Steig and others to be announced.
A live auction to benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation, a national organization aiding women victims of sexual violence will take place during the event. Founded by Mariska Hargitay, their mission is is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever.
TheWrap in 2017 has brought its successful Power Women franchise to DC, SF, NY, and now LA, building a broad network and community of professional women who are decision-makers and mothers, leaders and wives, innovators and activists.