The Why: Instead of viewing DEI as an additional aspect, Fino looks for projects with DEI as a core component from the start and she ensures the focus isn’t lost in production or promotion of the final product. Her involvement in every detail of Crackle’s original award-winning series “Inside the Black Box”—which offers a safe space for actors of color to discuss their experience in the entertainment industry—underscores her passion for giving voice to underrepresented communities.
She Says… “There’s a lot of ‘check the box’ when it comes to DEI. Many companies change their company logo to rainbow in June or put out a statement about DEI from their (usually) white CEO. I’d like [to] use our Originals on Crackle to not just entertain people, but maybe make a subtle impact on the tolerance and acceptance of diverse people in fact being the experts on topics like finance, home décor, pet care, acting and yes, sneaker drops!”
Who do you view as a DEI champion and why? Anyone who advocates for perspectives not directly represented in the room. Anyone who brings people together to meet new people, learn new perspectives and actually moves things forward. Anyone who tries something new and doesn’t just use “diversity” as an echo-chamber. My friend Elliot Lum does these with humility and grace.
Place I would love to retire to: I have three kids, the youngest of which is only 2. I don’t plan on retiring.
What recent pop culture moment showed progress in diversity and inclusion in entertainment? Certainly not recent but I vividly remember before we were using terms like “DEI budget” or “DEI agencies” or “DEI shows or content.”
Early 2004, I was working on “American Idol.” I was sitting in the studio audience watching LaToya London, Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Barrino perform together. It wasn’t a DEI “check the box” for Fox Broadcasting; it wasn’t “DEI budget” from Coca-Cola, Ford and AT&T. It was everyone’s biggest entertainment investment, full stop. The episode I was watching live completely revolved around three incredible black women. It wasn’t a “DEI initiative” that brought them together; they were just the best singers in America at that moment.
What I love about Crackle’s unscripted original programming, is that they are great brand-friendly canvases that reflect the best stories in America. Which is diverse.
Do you think there has been significant progress on DEI in the industry in the past year? Yes and No. I think “DEI” became a buzzword in June of 2020, as did “Coronavirus” and “Google Classroom.” Since then, a lot of organizations have made great progress hiring both more diverse talent, hiring a VP of DEI or creating percentage allocation of budget to fund DEI programming. But I haven’t seen the positive effects thought all the way through. As an example, we’re producing a show with Black producers about sneaker culture in this country called “Just for Kicks.” It features primarily Black NBA icons and hip-hop influencers. Should I only care about advertisers that want to reach an AA audience? Shouldn’t I want to partner with advertisers that want to reach as many people who like either sneakers, hip-hop, and basketball as possible? I am not Black and I like all of those things. I am not Black and I follow Michelle Obama on Instagram.
There’s a lot of “check the box’” when it comes to DEI; many companies change their company logo rainbow in June or put out a statement about DEI from their (usually) white CEO. I’d like [to] use our Originals on Crackle to not just entertain people, but maybe make a subtle impact on the tolerance and acceptance of diverse people in fact being the experts on topics like finance, home décor, pet care, acting and yes, sneaker drops!
Coworkers describe me as… A crazy creative? A talkative stalker? I can only imagine.
How do you define inclusion? Remembering to get the perspective of people not represented in the meeting and then incorporating that into the strategy, plan and tactics. Eg, Don’t redecorate your office by colors. One in 13 men are colorblind.
Organization you’re proud to support: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Not just because my mom has Multiple Myeloma, but because there is so much good that the organization is doing; not just in the cancer space but also through the lens of DEI impact: supporting oncologists and physician scientists who run fellowships so black students can get access to state of the art laboratories and scholarships, supporting patients and their caregivers with now bilingual call centers, and supporting patients in rural and low income communities with access to resources and available clinical trials.
You could try “checking the DEI box” at the molecular level, but cancer does not discriminate!
