Our Mission
“Son, people like us don’t deserve to dream.”
These were the words Frankie Li’s father spoke when Frankie finally mustered the courage to share his dream of making movies and TV shows. As a child of low-income immigrants, he understood his perspective, but was nonetheless deeply upset by his response: a sentiment shared by many who are raised to believe that ambition is a privilege, not a right.
Armed with the belief that we could create opportunities for ourselves instead of waiting for our turn within the industry status quo, our small, remote team of students charged ahead, working off Google documents and sending thousands of cold e-mails despite having no real experience or track record.
Of the many socio-political and economic barriers that BIPOC, queer, disabled, and low-income screenwriters face in Hollywood, Diverso targets the most simple, fundamental issues: the scarcity of personal connections and the inability to take unpaid opportunities to break into the business.
Systemic issues like diversity and accessibility must be addressed with systemic solutions. Diverso understands that in order for true, long- term change to occur in the film and television industry, individuals must be empowered and exposed to career paths early in their development. Namely, at the student level.
We are a group of impassioned students dedicated to lifting other young diverse creatives into Hollywood by providing them with education, mentorship, community, resources, and access to a vast professional network. We hope to create an endless pipeline of exceptional emerging talents from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
Together, as the next generation of movers and shakers, we can create a better, more inclusive Hollywood. And by changing Hollywood, we believe we can change the world.
2023 Panel with The Daniels