FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM | MEET THE FELLOWS | FELLOW BIOS
In support of The HRTS Foundation’s mission to foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive TV and entertainment industry, we are proud to announce the 2024 Class of Fellows.
(L – R from top to bottom row) Lawnyá Benton (JHRTS), Isabella Boccasino (JHRTS), Grace Fang (JHRTS), LaCreshia Griffin-Pope (JHRTS), Petra Holness (JHRTS), Sana Hussein (JHRTS), Nadira Johnson (JHRTS), Ingrid Nin (JHRTS), Mackenzie Rohan (JHRTS), Hankai Yan (JHRTS), Lauren Delisle (Academic), Alfredo (José) Facio, Jr. (Academic), Jessica Li (Academic), Tamar Sebesta (Academic) and Jee Hoon (Fred) Seo (Academic)
The Fellowship Program is designed to help launch the careers of 10 JHRTS Members and 5 Academic Members who stand to make great contributions to HRTS and the industry. See below for our 2024 Fellows’ reactions to being selected and click HERE to get to know them better.
JHRTS Recipients
Lawnyá Benton (TV Writer/Creative Producer)
“I am beyond thrilled and honored to be chosen to be a fellow in this cohort. Being a JHRTS member has already been so beneficial to me over the last three years, I can only imagine how much knowledge I’ll soak up throughout the program. I can’t wait to meet my advisor and the other fellows. Over the course of this fellowship, plan to work on polishing and strengthening my writing portfolio, work on pitching and meeting skills, and developing a solid strategy plan to take my writing career to the next level. I’m also excited to expand my creative community, and be a resource, supporter and advocate for my fellow participants.”
Isabella Boccasino (Associates Producer/Coordinator)
“Truly overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement that I will take part in the HRTS Foundation 2024 Fellowship Program! I am beyond eager to immerse myself in this experience, surrounded by current industry innovators and fellow future leaders as we collectively shape the future of entertainment. Through learning with my fellowship class and working closely under the guidance of my mentor, I am certain that the fellowship will guide me in the right path to maximize all opportunities in this industry.”
Grace Fang (Center for Scholars & Storytellers)
“I had been waiting in anticipation to hear back from HRTS, literally on the edge of my seat. I’m absolutely ecstatic and grateful to be one of the 2024 HRTS Foundation Fellows! I will make the most of this program by hopefully going to all the events and workshops and meeting as many inspiring individuals as I possibly can!”
LaCreshia Griffin-Pope (NBC Universal)
“I am thrilled to be selected as a 2024 Fellow. I’m looking forward to the program, diving into the workshops, getting to know more about the industry, connecting and collaborating with my cohort. I’m very excited about growing the skills that I already have as well as learning new ones, engaging with the advisors and mentors during the program and taking the insight and advice that I get and applying it in my daily career journey!”
Petra Holness (Goldberg Segalla LLP)
“I am truly honored and excited to have been selected as a 2024 HRTS Fellow. This opportunity means a lot to me, as it aligns perfectly with my passion for entertainment law and policy, particularly in the context of children’s entertainment and content. I am eager to leverage this fellowship to deepen my understanding of the field, connect with industry professionals, and contribute meaningfully to the discourse around creating safe, educational, and entertaining content for young audiences. I am grateful for the chance to be associated with an organization that shares my commitment to this important area of law and policy.”
Sana Hussein (FOX & Diverse Representation)
“I am thrilled and deeply honored to have been selected as a 2024 HRTS Foundation Fellow! I cannot wait to immerse myself in the program and learn from the industry’s finest. The prospect of being a part of such a prestigious community is incredibly exciting. With the support of the HRTS Foundation, I am committed to expanding my knowledge and forging invaluable connections that will propel my career forward. I look forward to contributing to the program and seizing every opportunity to learn and grow. Thank you again to the HRTS Foundation and the selection committee for this incredible opportunity.”
Nadira Johnson (Made Up Stories)
“I’m incredibly thrilled to be selected for the 2024 HRTS Fellowship Program! Upon graduating from the NBCU Page Program and currently serving as an Executive Assistant at Made Up Stories, my sights are set on using this fellowship as a pivotal point in my career journey. I’m most looking forward to focusing on learning from my Career Advisor and Mentor on how to capitalize on my experience to achieve my goals, expanding my network within the diverse community of Fellows, and pushing the boundaries of my creative perspective. I’m eager to make the most of my time as a 2024 Fellow by remaining curious and educated. Broadening my knowledge of professionals and creatives in different capacities all across the industry will inspire the type of impact that I hope to make throughout my career.”
Ingrid Nin (3 Arts Entertainment)
“I am filled with gratitude and excitement to have been selected as a fellow in the 2024 HRTS Fellowship Program. I am thrilled to take this next step in my career and to build a community alongside other amazing fellows. I look forward to contributing to the growth of HRTS and being a part of the HRTS family.”
Mackenzie Rohan (Script Anatomy)
“I’m so honored and excited to have been selected as a HRTS Foundation Fellow! I’m looking forward to connecting with industry mentors and peers, making the most of the workshops and in-person gatherings, and strengthening my screenwriting samples and skills. I’m eager to leverage the information, opportunities, and experiences to build my creative community, accelerate my career trajectory, and achieve my goals of gaining representation, staffing on a show, and selling one of my pilot or feature scripts.”
Hankai Yan (Walt Disney Company)
“I am absolutely thrilled and honored to have been selected as a 2024 Fellow for the HRTS Foundation Fellowship Program. I am deeply grateful for the chance to be part of such a prestigious program. As a Fellow, I am committed to making the most of this experience by immersing myself fully in the opportunities for learning, networking, and professional growth that the program offers. I am eager to connect with industry leaders, absorb invaluable insights, and contribute to the vibrant community of HRTS fellows. With determination and enthusiasm, I look forward to embracing this journey and leveraging it to propel my career in the entertainment industry to new heights.”
Academic Recipients
Lauren Delisle (UCLA)
“I’m so stunned and grateful to be selected as a fellow of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society’s 2024 Fellowship Program, as it marks an extraordinary milestone in my journey as a screenwriter. It’s a validation of the unconventional path I’ve forged, rooted in a commitment to storytelling, community, and mental health advocacy. Following my layoff as a podcast writer for Spotify, I completed a TV pilot that required every ounce of self-belief in the midst of unemployment. A day later, the writers’ strike was announced. This past year was subsequently filled with the struggles of delayed compensation and countless job applications in a sparse gig economy, all while trying to grasp what I could do to be taken seriously as a woman writer once the new contract had been ratified. The HRTS fellowship’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion resonates deeply with my own mission of dismantling barriers in the entertainment industry, ensuring spaces are open for storytellers whose voices have been marginalized. My acceptance reinforces the belief that our collective efforts towards a more inclusive industry are recognized and valued. As I embark on this transformative journey, I plan to fully embrace the mentorship component of this program, absorbing wisdom from industry veterans who possess invaluable insights crucial for this pivotal moment of my journey. Through conversations with seasoned professionals and fellow HRTS cohorts, I aim to develop formidable strategies to secure pitch meetings, break into TV writers rooms, and get repped. With this knowledge, I can streamline my efforts and pave the way for future generations of storytellers. Together, we can amplify stories that deserve a place on the big screen.”
Alfredo (José) Facio, Jr. (California State University Fullerton)
“I am beyond thrilled to be chosen as a 2024 Fellow for the HRTS Fellowship! As a first-gen queer college grad, this opportunity is incredibly meaningful to me. I can’t wait to meet up with other creatives and dive into this journey toward our dreams. I’m excited about the connections I’ll make with my peers, knowing that we, who stand outside the industry’s gates, will one day be its future. Fresh out of college, I’m especially eager to show my immigrant parents that a career in film and television is not just a dream but a real possibility for us minority dreamers. We can do this!”
Jessica Li (NYU)
“I’m thrilled to be selected as a 2024 HRTS Fellow. This opportunity is a tremendous honor and a pivotal step in my career within the TV and entertainment industry. I’m committed to embracing every aspect of the fellowship program to learn as much as I can, forge meaningful connections, and ultimately gain the skills I need to help amplify diverse and underrepresented voices and perspectives in media as a creative executive. Through the mentorship, networking, and educational opportunities provided by the HRTS Fellowship Program, I am excited to grow both professionally and personally while contributing to this vibrant fellowship community and working towards a more inclusive media landscape.”
Tamar Sebesta (California State University Northridge)
“Tamar, a journalism student at CSUN, has skillfully navigated diverse industries, including non-profit, advertising, and entertainment, throughout her academic journey. With a remarkable portfolio of 10 internships, Tamar has garnered invaluable experience at renowned companies such as NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, and OUTFRONT Media. Her roles, spanning marketing, publicity, and talent management, reflect her unwavering passion for utilizing her voice to raise awareness and provide opportunities to underrepresented communities.
As a former foster youth, teen mom, and first-generation student, Tamar draws inspiration from her life experiences, demonstrating that anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of their background. Her compelling story has earned her features in various publications, podcasts, and panel discussions.
Selected as a 2024 Fellow, Tamar is thrilled to embark on the next chapter of her creative journey, aspiring to fulfill her dreams as a creator and writer. Firm in her belief that storytelling is the key to uplifting others, she envisions empowering fellow storytellers by guiding them to discover their unique voice, pursue their passion, and drive positive change.”
Jee Hoon (Fred) Seo (NYU)
“Thank you so much to HRTS for this amazing opportunity to promote diverse voices in storytelling. I hope to contribute to further representation within the AAPI and BIPOC community through my work as a Korean filmmaker. I cannot wait to build new relationships with peers and mentors in the industry and take advantage of the wonderful educational opportunities HRTS has provided for us.”