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.

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.

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 two groups followed this up with the first iteration of The Inclusion List focused on film in May of 2023. The Adobe Foundation also announced a $250,000 grant to support the USC School of Dramatic Arts MFA program, directly supporting the production of short films for underrepresented students. After analyzing film, we turned our attention to inclusion across television and streaming programs. 

This is only the beginning for the inclusion list, which will be updated annually. We believe this data-driven tool will allow the public to have greater insight into which films and series are driving industry change and where there is room to grow. 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. Our hope is that by demonstrating where there is progress, we can drive change across the ecosystem of entertainment.