Black Panther actor Michael B Jordan has pledged to insert an “inclusion rider” clause into his future movie contracts.
At the Oscars on Sunday night (March 4), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri star Frances McDormand used her Best Actress acceptance speech to call for greater equality in the film industry and helped shine a spotlight on the little-known diversity clause.
“We all have stories to tell and we need finance,” McDormand said. “Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple days – or you can come to ours, whichever suits you best – and we’ll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: ‘inclusion rider’.”
An inclusion rider, McDormand later explained to the press backstage, “means that you can ask for and/or demand at least 50% diversity, not only in casting but also [in] the crew.”
The clause, which can be added to actors’ contracts at their request, has been around since 2016 and was co-created by University of Southern California communications professor Dr. Stacy Smith, civil rights and employment practice attorney Kalpana Kotagal and producer and actor Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni.
Michael B Jordan, who played villain Erik Killmonger in Black Panther, has since taken to social media to pledge to use an inclusion rider in all projects produced by his own company.
“In support of the women & men who are leading this fight, I will be adopting the Inclusion Rider for all projects produced by my company Outlier Society,” Jordan wrote on Instagram.
“I’ve been privileged to work with powerful woman & persons of colour throughout my career & it’s Outlier’s mission to continue to create for talented individuals going forward.”
Other stars to speak out in support of inclusion riders include Captain Marvel star Brie Larson.
I’m committed to the Inclusion Rider. Who’s with me? https://t.co/yvQ0wR5D80
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) March 5, 2018