Social action org and non-profit studio Women of Color Unite (WOCU) and The Bitch Pack, a collective focused on improving representation of women in screenplays, are calling for the entertainment companies and execs to join the #Startwith8Hollywood, a diversity and inclusion initiative. The movement aims to foster “organic diversity” in show business via mentorship.

#Startwith8Hollywood partners women of color working in the entertainment industry with seasoned mentors; overall, each mentor will be paired with eight mentees. “Together, they formulate a plan of action based on what each mentee desires and what is achievable by the mentor to create tangible progress in the mentee’s career,” according to the initiative’s press materials. “The end goal: no more excuses.” With widespread mentorship and opportunity for women of color, the tired, untrue “There are no women of color I can hire” line will hold no weight.

WOCU and The Bitch Pack recommend mentors get on a call with each mentee. “Every mentee is different — get to know them, listen to them, and then formulate a plan that is desirable to the mentee and achievable by you,” they advise. “Take at least one action that will create tangible and lasting change in your mentees’ careers.”

Mentors who have taken the #Startwith8Hollywood pledge include showrunners Sheryl J. Anderson (“Sweet Magnolias”) and Rebecca Cutter (“Hightown”), VP of Scripted at Fremantle Entertainment Gabrielle Neimand, talent manager DaVida Smith, and producer Cassian Elwes. Most of these mentors work in screenwriting and development, but #Startwith8Hollywood is open to all fields, above and below the line, creative and executive.

“We cannot achieve true diversity and inclusion if we neglect to introduce Women of Color to every part of the entertainment industry,” the #Startwith8Hollywood movement stresses.

If you’re interested in joining #Startwith8Hollywood as a mentor, email WOCU’s Manon de Reeper
at manon@wocunite.com to be connected with mentees. WOCU and The Bitch Pack also urge companies to support their mission in creating “effective and lasting change” by making donations “without strings attached and in good faith.”