DGA African American Steering Committee Brochure
Changing the Face of the Industry

GOALS

HISTORY

DGA President Jack Shea with Production Associate Sylvia O'Gilvie at the 1997 DGA Diversity Awards.

DGA Assistant Executive Director Rodney Mitchell with Director Chuck Vinson and AASC Co-Chair Paris Barclay at the Aaron Spelling Mixer - 8/10/98

Director Sylvia Morales, former AASC Co-chair B.J. McCurdy and former Alternate Co-chair Tracey Smith at the HBO Network Mixer - 5/4/98

Director John Singleton, Director/honoree Gordon Parks, Sr. & AASC Alternate Co-chair  Roy Campanella II at "Parks The Pioneer" A Salute to Gordon Parks - 2/27/97

Directors Sidney Poitier and Ivan Dixon at An Evening with Ivan Dixon - 2/22/2000

The AASC's present co-chairs are DGA National Board Member LeVar Burton, Loretha Jones and Ted Lange, with Nandi Bowe, Director Category Representative; Diedre Loving, AD/SM/PA Category Representative; Sandra Middleton, AD/UPM/TC Category Representative; and Adele Simmons, AD/UPM/TC Category Representative.

The AASC also consists of 20 elected individuals who serve as representatives of the DGA's African-American members. These committee members include former AASC co-chairs Bob Reid and Ted Lange and former alternate co-chair Dianne Bartlow.

During its tenure the committee has organized numerous seminars, panel discussions and tributes to pioneering African-American directors such as Wendell J. Franklin, Gordon Parks, Melvin Van Peebles, Stan Lathan, Bill Duke and Debbie Allen. Some of these events have actually paved the way towards real progress in Hollywood.

For example, the November 16, 1994 panel discussion "Moving Forward: A Catalyst for Change," resulted in the eventual creation of the DGA-Disney Directors Training Program. A year later, the AASC partnered with Warner Bros. to present the all-day seminar, "Getting Work in Film & Television." In November of 1997, it presented the highly successful "Hollywood's New Deal: Black Women in the Directors Chair."

In 1998, the AASC continued to seek out new employment opportunities for its members. The committee presented the AASC/HBO Networking Event moderated by Paris Barclay, and two seminars: "The Unique World of Variety" moderated by Tony Singletary and "The Reel Deal of Advancing your Career" moderated by Chuck Vinson. In November of 1998, the AASC honored director Kevin R. Sullivan as part of their on-going "An Evening With..." series.

Along with the Women's Steering Committee and the Latino Committee, the African-American Steering Committee participates in the Annual DGA Student Film Awards. In addition to its membership functions, the AASC encourages the greater participation of African-American members in all Guild activities, and maintains a healthy line of communication with the DGA leadership, the executive decision-making structure of Hollywood and various organizations within the creative community.

Director William Crain with DGA National Executive Director Jay D. Roth at the 1997 DGA Diversity Awards.	Director Mario Van Peebles, Former AASC Co-chair Ted Lange, Director Melvin Van Peebles and Former AASC Co-chair Bob Reid at "AASC Salutes Melvin Van Peebles" (2nd Annual Black History Month Event).- 2/23/1996

For more information about the DGA African-American Steering Committee Contact Regina Render at the Directors Guild of America at 310-289-2036.

DGA Members: For meeting times and other African American Steering Committee information, please refer to the AASC Committee Page on the DGA Members Only website.