How do we move forward as an industry and society with what has taken place with sexual harassment, inequality, diversity, and movements by younger generations to create change for the future?
We have several strong and diverse female participants on this panel that can discuss what has occurred in the past, the trends happening for change, and what we must do collectively to move forward to support everyone being equal – in pay, opportunities, etc.
Moderator:
Andrea Mays
Andrea L. Mays holds a PhD in American Studies, focusing on the areas of 20th Century African American Culture and Politics, Visual Culture and Gender Studies. She has a M.A. in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies from the University of New Mexico and a B.A. in Communications from George Mason University. Andrea is also a cultural critic and creative writer and has performed original spoken-word pieces in performances spaces in Chicago, Washington DC, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. Her essays and articles have been published in USA Today, the Albuquerque Journal, and the Santa Fe Reporter. Andrea's original work was also included in the film Letters to our Daughters directed by native New Mexican filmmaker Christopher Roybal and narrated by Dolores Huerta, the co-founder and First Vice President Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO. Contact: acrossthegapsconsulting@gmail.com
Panelists biographies:
Marisa Tomei
Marisa won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as ‘Mona Lisa Vito’ in MY COUSIN VINNY, and was subsequently nominated for an Academy Award for her performances in IN THE BEDROOM and THE WRESTLER.
Marisa can currently be seen as ‘May’ in Marvel Studios’ blockbuster, SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING. She recently wrapped production on Blumhouse’s THE FIRST PURGE and will next be seen in the critically acclaimed series, THE HANDMAID’S TALE. Other notable film credits include THE BIG SHORT, CRAZY STUPID LOVE, TRAINWRECK, CYRUS, Sidney Lumet’s BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD, WHAT WOMEN WANT, SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS, WELCOME TO SARAJEVO, UNHOOK THE STARS, FOUR ROOMS, THE PAPER, CHAPLIN and LOITERING WITH INTENT.
A veteran of theater, she last starred in the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s HOW TO TRANSCEND A HAPPY MARRIAGE at Lincoln Center Theatre as well as in Tennessee Williams’ THE ROSE TATTOO at Williamstown Theatre Festival. She has appeared on Broadway in THE REALISTIC JONESES, TOP GIRLS and SALOME, as well as in numerous other productions.
Brenda Wade
Brenda Wade is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly twenty years experience working with schools, children, and families in urban settings. An entrepreneur, Ms. Wade founded Achievement Services, Inc. in 2006 to provide after school academic learning experiences for at-risk students in Baltimore City. In addition, she is an adjunct professor in the MSW program at Morgan State University. She is also known as Hunter William, the author of the CHARM TOWN BOOK SERIES (Charm Town & Charm Town Codes), a gripping chronicle of urban schools and the impact of corruption, race, and class upon underprivileged young people. A lover of culinary delights, travel, and music, Ms. Wade received her undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Maryland, her master of social work degree from Howard University and her post-graduate clinical training from the Yale School of Medicine Child Study Center.
Christa Valdez
Christa Valdez has been reporting on and promoting the New Mexico film industry since 2008. As a well networked advocate and consultant for the industry and its talent, Christa has had the opportunity to get involved with various productions, including periodically doing background, commercials and playing roles in independent short films. Through her consulting business and as founder of the New Mexico Spotlight Foundation, a non-profit organization, she is an ally to all who are working to achieve their career or business goals in the New Mexico film industry. Christa is represented by Carissa Mitchell of Mitchell & Associates Talent.
Augusta Myers
For the past 13 years, Augusta Meyers has served as Communications Manager for the Mid-Region Council of Governments—a regional transportation planning agency that serves central New Mexico where nearly 50 percent of state’s population resides. An Emmy award winning journalist, Augusta spent 16 years reporting and anchoring the news for the ABC television affiliate in Albuquerque. Additionally, Augusta currently has her own voice actor studio where she provides professional audio and video voice-overs for television and radio commercials, online advertising, medical narrations, and corporate training.