Mission Statement:
This group is for black/mixed race men and women in IATSE 695 or actively trying to join. We support women, people of color, all sexual orientations, disabled or any other groups fighting for equal rights. Our goal is to create voting power, give a voice to our members, train/mentor each other, host gatherings, create jobs and get more black people in our union.
Create voting power within our local
By forming a group with 20-40 members, we have enough power to make a difference in electing board members. It gives us the power to make real changes in our local if we feel they need to be made. Most of the elected officials are good people and are ready to help us. If you feel otherwise, we have options. I would also like to find someone within our group that we can put on the board. The great Willie Burton has served on the board in the past. I heard we had one other black board member in the past. If you would like to run for a position, please let us know.
Make our voices heard
If you encounter racism or have any problems on the job, we have the ability to unify our voice and let our local know. Instead of having one person fighting by themselves, we have a group of people who support you. We had Woody Stubblefield, Chauncy Godwin, Yohannes Skoda, Gregg Frazier, Terrell Woodard, Eugene ?, Reginald Bryant, Owen Taylor and myself voice our concerns in a committee meeting. They were receptive to our stories and criticism to help fix the problem.
Training/Mentoring
The committee for Equity, Diversity and Outreach is working hard to create a program to bring black people into our local as a Y-16A trainee. It’s an opportunity to make real economical change in our black communities. Giving people jobs that pay over $100k can make a true impact. We can speak to people at Street Lights, Manifest Works and other programs that help teach people our crafts. Let them know high paying Sound/Video jobs exist and get them excited about our field of work. We can help these trainees learn how to do the jobs the right way. Not everyone needs to be a mentor or help with all aspects of this. However, the more people we have to pull our people up, the easier it will be for all of us to succeed.
Meeting/Gathering
After Covid-19 is under control, we can get together for an event. I think it’s important to know each other. Talk about life, sound, video or anything you want.
More jobs
Just by meeting each other and having an open dialogue, we will form connections that will lead to work for some of us. We can hire each other or give others work when we are double booked. We are not forced to hire each other just because of skin color. The exposure to each other will help some people greatly.
Breaking barriers
Working with the union to increase black membership. More specifically, working with the Committee for Equity, Diversity and Outreach to get qualified black candidates to become part of a new Y-16A program to become IATSE 695 members.