Speakers

Lights, Camera, Action!

Speakers & Storytellers

At the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, we believe in the power of dialogue to drive change. Our speaker series brings artists, storytellers, and industry leaders into conversation with our team and student audiences to explore identity, opportunity, and representation in entertainment.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Speakers & Storytellers

What is Gen Z & Me?

Gen Z & Me is a red carpet interview series where bold questions meet big data

Hosted by Stacy L. Smith, leading expert on diversity in entertainment, and Sarah, a Gen Z advocate and rising voice in media, this segment amplifies the perspectives of young audiences while grounding conversations in cutting-edge research. Together, they ask actors, filmmakers, and industry leaders about representation, inclusion, and accountability while using facts to spark change.

Stacy & Sarah

Meet the hosts

Stacy L. Smith is the founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and a globally recognized researcher on inequality in film and television. She brings decades of data-driven insight into every red carpet conversation, holding the industry accountable with evidence and impact.

As a Gen Z creator and culture critic, Sarah brings authenticity and sharp perspective to every interview. She voices the questions younger generations are asking—about who gets seen, who gets heard, and why it matters.

What is LIFSA?

Live in Front of a Student Audience is an on-campus series with leading artists

Stacy L. Smith sits down with today’s most influential artists and creators for honest conversations about their journeys in the entertainment industry. Held in front of USC students, these interviews offer a rare look into the lived experiences, challenges, and breakthroughs behind the spotlight.