Events
The Power of Materialization in Black Media
February 19, 2024
| Duane Morris LLP
| Webinar
Webinar Replay
In celebration of Black History Month, Duane Morris will present a webinar, The Power of Materialization in Black Media, featuring Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs at ABC News, to be held on Monday, February 19, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern time.
The discussion will include opening remarks by Duane Morris Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matthew A. Taylor and will be moderated by Duane Morris Trial Partner and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Joseph West.
About the Program
It has been said that journalism is the first draft of history. The lens through which people of color are viewed has always been shaped by the words and images portrayed in the media. In a celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of the power to materialize and create our history every day. Duane Morris Partner and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Joseph K. West will be joined by Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard for an inspiring discussion on her journey from growing up in Harlem, attending Columbia University and Fordham Law School, to leading and closing deals at major networks that introduced new Black and diverse stories that better reflect our experiences and histories.
Speaker
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard
Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard currently serves as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs for ABC News, where she oversees deal strategy across the network. She is the first Muslim woman to oversee a major department at ABC News and is an Executive Champion of the Muslim Business Employee Resource Group, Salaam, at the Walt Disney Company. Prior to joining Disney, Khadijah was Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). In that role, Khadijah was integral to bringing high-profile, ratings-shattering projects to the screen that highlighted Black stories, including "The New Edition Story," "The Bobby Brown Story" and the "Black Girls Rock!" franchise. Prior to her groundbreaking work at BET Networks, Khadijah served as Vice President, Senior Counsel, at Nickelodeon, where she helped to launch shows celebrating children of color including "Dora the Explorer," "Diego" and "The Backyardigans."
Opening Remarks
Matthew A. Taylor
Matthew A. Taylor is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the firm and also serves on the firm's Executive Committee. Mr. Taylor practices in the area of commercial litigation, handling matters in state and federal courts across the United States. Mr. Taylor also represents corporate boards and individual corporate officers and directors in internal and government investigations and related proceedings.
Moderator
Joseph K. West
Joseph K. West is a partner in the firm's Trial Practice Group and practices in the area of complex litigation. He is also a member of the firm’s Partners Board and serves as the firm’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and as chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consulting Practice. In 2019, Joe was the recipient of the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award: Diversity & Equality from Chambers and Partners.
About the Duane Morris Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program
Duane Morris manages its diversity, equity and inclusion program with the objective of utilizing the best talent worldwide in solving legal problems. The firm recruits a diverse pool of lawyers and staff that collectively possess an awareness of cutting-edge 21st century issues—legal, social and economic—for which clients require solutions.