Diversity and Inclusion: An Interview with Xavier Byers

Originally published in January 2022 print

What does your role as manager of business operations and content strategy for Warner Bros Studios entail exactly?

In my role, I focus on our overall business strategy for Film and TV once the productions wrap. My focus can span from business deals with outside vendors, to forecasting and budgeting funds to make sure that productions are completed and ready for distribution. For example, during the pandemic my studio made a huge decision to release every new movie on our theatrical slate (2021) in theaters and on HBOMax (our streaming platform) simultaneously as what we call Day-And-Date release. Last month we had The Matrix Resurrection releasing on 12/22/21 and my team works with various parts of the studio to make sure that happens without issue for consumers— whether you go to see it in theaters or view it at home on your HBOMax app.

How do you advocate for diversity and equity in Hollywood?

The way that I started to advocate for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in Hollywood was internally through the studios Employee Resources Group. I joined the Black Employee resource group. There, I started by focusing on employee’s professional development and making sure that black employees had opportunities to learn information not broadly shared to help advance their careers, network with senior leaders and decision makers, and develop skill sets via workshops so that they were prepared for next steps in their career. After that role, I became the executive chair where WB gave me the opportunity to continue to help advance employees but also work on initiatives for talent as well as business initiatives. One of my proudest moments was my first major event as chair where I hosted a joint studio mixer with our sister black employee groups from NBCUniversal, Sony, and Paramount. The mixer was a panel discussion and solution proposal for diversity issues in Hollywood after the #OscarsSoWhite trend. We had a room of over 200+ black studio employees of all levels and a panel that consisted of WB TV Executive Chris Mack, Actress Regina King, Producer Stephanie Allain and to help with solution proposals, we had the 3 diversity chairs for the Writers Guild, Directors Guild, and Producers Guild.

Why is diversity and equity important when it comes to Hollywood and the entertainment industry?

It’s important because as an industry what we do impacts the culture globally for decades to come.  How could we not take the impact that we have on culture so seriously?  Our voices are amplified times millions and I take this platform seriously with every project that we do.  My goal is to make sure that different voices and perspectives are recognized and amplified.  I believe that communities of marginalized voices should see themselves represented across the board through their own stories and alongside other amazing stories being told.  With diverse voices in storytelling being celebrated, I am sure that the next generations will benefit from the strides that we make today on all levels. 

Do you think Hollywood is making progress towards more diversity? What are some roadblocks on that road to diversity?  

Looking back to just over a decade ago to 2010, I think that you can see great strides have been made in the entertainment industry.  I remember in TV when prime time broadcasts only had Taraji P. Henson as Cookie and Traci Ellis Ross as Rainbow.  Then we looked up and saw rapid growth thanks to Shonda Rhimes (and other creators Mara Brock Akil, Kenya Barris, Ava Duvernay) when we were introduced to Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope and Viola Davis as Annalise Keating.  In the land of TV/Streaming people will see the most progress made or at least I will say that progress happens at a faster rate.  In 2021 think of the span of options that you have to see people that look like you.  The theatrical side of our business is a larger ship to turn so it moves a bit slower…but it is moving.  In film you can look at a popular genre like Action/SuperHero film from any studio and you will see how those characters have changed no matter the original source material.  There have been roadblocks to diversity, specifically as it pertains to creating pipelines for talent to gain experience as well as creating platforms so that people of color can be seen by producers, agents, and executives.  Director Ava Duvernay has recently created a solution to help with both roadblocks by creating a platform called Array Crew.  Array Crew is an equal opportunity platform, with a mission to support professionals in the film and television industry from underrepresented populations.