Connect with us

In Da House Media

BLACK IN GAMING AWARDS SHOW (BIG) PARTNERS WITH NETFLIX AND SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO HIGHLIGHT CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK DEVELOPERS IN GAMING INDUSTRY

Entertainment

BLACK IN GAMING AWARDS SHOW (BIG) PARTNERS WITH NETFLIX AND SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO HIGHLIGHT CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK DEVELOPERS IN GAMING INDUSTRY

Black in Gaming Awards Show Returns to Honor Gaming Executives and Developers , Ubisoft and more!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 14, 2023 – After a year-long hiatus, The 6th Annual Black in Gaming Awards show (BIG) returns bigger and better than ever – to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions and achievements of ‘hidden figures’ in the game developer space while advocating for diversity and inclusion. 
The cutting-edge event will converge at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, on Thursday, March 23rd at 6:00PM PST / 9:00 PM EST live in-person for the first time since 2019. The sixth annual Black in Gaming (BIG) Awards will honor content creators, developers, and gamers who have played pivotal roles in shaping the gaming industry. The awards show will also be live-streamed on Facebook and Instagram. Honorees include: Josiana Valverde, Head of Special Projects, Diversity & Inclusion at Ubisoft receiving the Jerry Lawson Lifetime Achievement AwardMichael Lee, Senior Director Global Talent and Acquisition receiving the Industry Champion AwardDr. Kishonna Gray, ​​Associate Professor in Writing, Rhetoric, & Digital Studies and Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky receiving the Education AwardShawn Alexander Allen, founder of games company NuChallenger receiving the Excellence in Design Award; and more. See full list below.
To uplift this celebration, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Netflix have returned as partners to help support BIG’s diversity and inclusion efforts. 
“Research shows that Blacks make up a staggering 2% of the video game industry and only 11% of Black characters are featured as the central player outside of athletes in sports games. The BIG awards underscores the need for black gaming professionals. We give executives and developers a platform to be recognized while creating a fun and unique experience – all during a time when it’s so desperately needed,” said Laura Teclemariam, Black in Gaming’s Chairwoman of the Board.
In an effort to address these disparities, The BIG Awards recently transitioned into an official 501(c) organization; which was founded with the purpose of bridging communities, and creating a more equitable and representative space for all. In 2022, The BIG Foundation set out for the “BIG 5-in-5”– an organizational goal to increase Black representation in the gaming ecosystem from 2% to 5% by 2028. BIG is working with various corporations to hit this lofty– yet tangible target.  
Each year, The BIG Awards showcases trailblazing change-makers within the industry and this year is no different. Previous honorees include: Reggie Fils-Aime, former President/COO of Nintendo of America Inc., Julian Walshaw-Vaughan, Vice President of Engineering of Roblox, Stanley Pierre-Louis, President & CEO of Entertainment Software Association, and more. 
The complete list of Black in Gaming Awards for 2023 includes:
Jerry Lawson Lifetime Achievement AwardJosiana Valverde, Head of Special Projects, Diversity & Inclusion at Ubisoft
Legacy AwardGordon Durity, Executive Audio Director at Electronic Arts
Champion AwardMichael Lee, Senior Director, Global Talent Acquisition at Electronic Arts
Education Award Dr. Kishonna Gray, Associate Professor and Author at University of Kentucky
Excellence in MediaJeffery Rousseau, Writer at Gamesindustry.biz
Excellence in ProgrammingScott Anderson, Senior Graphics Engineer at Unity Technologies
Excellence in Design AwardShawn Alexander Allen, Founder of NuChallenger
Industry Spotlight AwardPlayStation Studio QA

Indie Developer AwardGlow Up Games

For more information on Black In Gaming, please visit www.thebigfoundation.org 

Celebrity photographer and disabled Vietnam veteran Jerome Dorn embodies the very definition of resilience. Born in Philadelphia, the fifth of seven children, Dorn stayed focused throughout his youth, eventually obtaining his degree in Criminal Justice. Dorn has worked with the Philadelphia Police Department, Department of Justice, World Wide Detective Agency, and several other high profile security groups. Throughout his successful career, Dorn wrestled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an aftereffect of his military service. Battling the pain and debilitating effect of PTSD, Dorn found comfort behind the camera. Photography proved to be not only therapeutic, but life changing as well. Dorn picked up his first camera in 1970 while serving in Vietnam and knew instantly that behind the lens was where he belonged. His shooting style and photographs were special, generating a buzz in the industry. In 1985, he began his career in photojournalism, working in a variety of genres. Dorn’s credentials include fashion, lifestyle photography, photojournalism, and celebrity/red carpet coverage. Working with MSNBC, Jet Magazine, and major publications in Philadelphia and around the country, Dorn has had the honor of capturing the images of hundreds of notable celebrities and politicians including President Barack Obama, George Bush Jr, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Jesse Jackson, Rihanna, Snoop Dog, Will Smith, and Tyler Perry. Photography has sent Dorn around the globe, inspiring his passion for civil activism. In 1995, Dorn assembled and led a group of forty-two men to the Million Man March. Together, they spent five days walking from Philadelphia to Washington DC. In his travels, Dorn observed a common theme amongst the youth of the world. Many of the children he encountered seemed lost. Understanding that opportunities for at-risk youth are minimal, Dorn was inspired to make a difference. Established by Dorn in 2011, InDaHouseMedia was built on the idea that there is room in the house for everyone. With InDaHouseMedia, Dorn’s mission is to provide the future generation with positive direction through sports, music, and photography.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Entertainment

To Top