Breaking Barriers with Annenberg's IDEA, Bethann Hardison and Mara Brock Akil

By Ellice Ellis ‘20

Panelists Bethann Hardison and Mara Brock Akil spoke to each other on the challenges regarding diversity and inclusion in their respective fields, feminism and activism at ‘Race and gender in TV and fashion’ last Thursday in Wallis Annenberg Hall.

The talk was hosted by the USC Annenberg’s Institute for Diversity and Empowerment’s (IDEA), which aims to explore “the power of media, the arts, and technology within struggles for identity, social justice, and equity advancement. “

Former model, agent, fashion activist and CFDA Founder’s Award winner Bethann Hardison started the event off asking Mara Brock Akil about her entrance into television writing.

“The little girl in me always talked to herself,” says Akil in response.

The creator of popular 2000s television shows Girlfriends and The Game, who was also cited as an inspiration for Emmy Award winner Lena Waithe, went on to detail her journey into storytelling.

Akil described herself as reading a lot of Judy Blume and listening to Barbra Streisand; all influencing her melodramatic stories.

When talking about her own dramatic experiences within the fashion industry, Bethann detailed how strides in diversity she made came inch-by-inch.

The fashion veteran became one of the first black models to walk on runway in Europe and later became an agent and activist in the industry calling for diversity and inclusion.

Bethann says she would ask designers inquiring about hiring a black model from her agency  “how many models are you using?” “They would say 35”, she says and she would then go on to say “if you’re gonna use 35 white girls, how are you gonna use one black.”

The former model’s activism has been praised by many in the fashion world. In an essay by Robin Givhan, Washington Post fashion critic, she praised Bethann for “unflinchingly” calling the industry’s practices “racist.”

Faculty director for IDEA and USC Communications professor Alison Trope, notes not only Bethann’s but also Akil’s activism as a reason they were chosen to speak last week. “They openly embrace their platforms and stature to advocate for change,” says Trope.

In an interview with Trope, she shared her thoughts on what young people can take from the duo’s careers to be inspired to make strides in diversity:

“Look at Bethann and Mara as role models. Ideally, the audience last week could appreciate the power of voice, of standing up for one’s values, of advocating for change. Change can happen in the act of storytelling and in casting and more inclusive representation, but sometimes we need to raise our voices and call out what’s not working.”

Later in the night’s talk Akil took a moment to call out the television industry on what she viewed as  the exploitation of black culture.

“Around the 90s, America was hip that black culture could be monetized in fashion, music, and television,” She then went on to describe this monetization as a way to build TV empires. “They use black culture as a niche audience to get numbers and infrastructure. We built this country for free, that building continued to the TV industry.”

Her comments were met with collective nods and even a round of applause from a crowd overwhelmed with black women, like Akil.

Following the talk there was a reception where members of the audience flocked to Akil and Bethann for photos and questions that were left in their wandering minds.

Trope, the faculty director of IDEA hopes that the institute will “continue to engage with public programming that highlights diverse voices.”

IDEA’s next event on Wednesday  September, 27th  titled “Rethinking the runway: Race in the fashion industry,” will feature Bethann Hardison again, Julee Wilson and model Ebonee Davie, and model/designer of ‘Baby Phat’ Kimora Lee Simmons.