Amanda Parris Honoured by ACTRA Toronto
by Staff Editors
(February 16, 2023 – Toronto, ON) Award-winning writer, producer and television/radio host Amanda Parris and Toronto-based entertainment agency Jesse Griffiths Casting Inc. will be celebrated tomorrow, February 17 when they accept their 2022 Sandi Ross Awards. During the presentation, Parris and Jesse Griffiths will accept their honours and discuss their own experiences as well as how others can advocate for increased diversity and inclusion. The awards will be presented by ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee co-chairs Chattrisse Dolabaille and Janet Rose Nguyen.
The Sandi Ross Awards celebrate one individual and one company/organization each year whose work demonstrates a commitment to inclusion on screen.
Amanda Parris is a creatively gifted member of our Canadian storytelling community who uses her platform to fight for racial equity and uplift Canadian artists and Black voices. “Amanda provides a unique perspective that encourages each of us to do our part in examining the world we live in, with all its complexities and contradictions. The need to see true reflections onscreen of this complex world we live in is one that most everyone is aware of, but not everyone demonstrates the same commitment to that need that Amanda does,” said Chattrisse Dolabaille.
“I feel so privileged to get up every day and tell stories – stories that to me are very vital, are important and, hopefully, are pushing conversations forward so we’re not always talking about the same things over and over again,” said Parris (pictured above). “I know I’ve only able to do this kind of work and be in this place in my life because of folks who paved the road for me like Philip Akin, Karen King, Jennifer Hodge De Silva, M. NourbeSe Philip and, of course, Sandi Ross.”
Jesse Griffiths Casting has been an active community member in the push for diversity and inclusion. Jesse and his team are consistently generous with their time, ideas, expertise and giving back to the community. “Since the events of the Black Lives Matter movement and awakening in 2020, the group has really ‘walked the walk’ in creating a safe and inclusive casting community and pushing for diversity on our screens,” said Janet Rose Nguyen.
“Casting with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion not only allows us to tell stories that authentically reflect and represent our communities, but it gives casting directors the opportunity to meet and work with artists with different lived experiences,” said Jesse Griffiths. “This can only enhance the creative process and our industry as a whole.”
“We are thrilled to acknowledge and celebrate Amanda Parris and Jesse Griffiths Casting, who, like Sandi, continue to actively demonstrate their long-standing commitments to diversity,” said ACTRA Toronto President David Gale.
Also see: ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Also see: The Sandi Ross Awards.
SOURCE: ACTRA Toronto
