This project brings together organizations committed to inclusivity, access, and opportunity for all. As the leading global think tank studying inclusion in all areas of entertainment, Dr. Stacy L. Smith and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative consistently leverage data to demonstrate where industry improvement is needed for women, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities.

Adobe's mission is to change the world through digital experiences, and in the entertainment industry, Adobe has been at the heart of connecting content, data and innovative tools that democratize creativity and shape the next generation of storytelling. Through its grantmaking to organizations and nonprofits worldwide, the Adobe Foundation aims to create a world where more people, regardless of background, can be creative and share their stories.

In 2022, the Adobe Foundation approached the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative with one question: was there a Big Idea the two groups could tackle together? There was indeed. Would it be possible to chart where there has been industry progress, represented by greater access, opportunity, and participation of people from historically marginalized groups? Could we determine who was responsible for creating change?

The Inclusion List was born.

The Inclusion List builds upon the previous work that The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and Adobe Foundation have undertaken. Together, the groups launched a landmark website on inclusion among Academy Award-nominees and winners ahead of the 2023 Academy Awards ceremony. The Adobe Foundation also announced funding to support the USC School of Dramatic Arts MFA program, directly supporting the production of short films for underrepresented students.

In the coming months, we plan to turn our attention to inclusion across television and streaming programs. Our hope is that by demonstrating where there is progress, we can drive change across the ecosystem of entertainment.

We believe this data-driven tool will allow the public to understand who has taken inclusion seriously and been a driving force for industry change. Based on clear metrics and supplemented with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s industry-leading data, The Inclusion List can inform, challenge, and congratulate the entertainment industry and point out where there is room to grow.