As members of the Writers Guild head toward their 100^th day walking the picket line, with SAG-AFTRA members by their side for the last nearly three weeks, many organizations are using these gatherings as an opportunity to let the creative community know about what they’re doing to further opportunities within the entertainment industry.

Recently, at the Disney picket line in Burbank, CA, Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE - pronounced “tie”) spoke to the picketers about their work.

Maha Chehlaoui, TTIE Program Manager, introduced MW Cartozian Wilson, Captain of TTIE’s Community Building committee and member of the WGA LGBTQIA+ committee, who started off with, “Who is TIIE? We are working TV writers, when we're not striking, from historically excluded backgrounds including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled and women writers. We focus on improving working conditions for writers and telling more authentic stories.”

He went on to add that, “We're incredibly energized that these issues are so top of mind for our union. “

And, he implored everyone to watch the recent video posted by WGA Negotiating Committee Co-Chair Chris Keyser that lays out what this moment means for writers, and how the group can move forward.

Danny Tolli, Communications Captain for TTIE, toward Forbes that the thing that sets the organization apart from others is that it is exclusively lead by working TV writers who span roles from staff writer to showrunner.

“We do generate figures for reports about the numbers of diverse participants in the industry, but what makes us different is that we’re not just saying, ‘here’s the progress, or lack thereof,’ we’re constantly advocating for growth and change for people that need to be included in all areas of the creative community,” he said.

When Wilson concluded his remarks at the picket, he turned the bullhorn over to Tolli, who is also a member of the WGA Latinx and LGBTQIA+ committees and is currently serving as a strike captain at the Netflix NFLX picket location.

“Back in 2018, Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity had the audacious idea to quantify the experiences of historically excluded writers in the business so that the stories and the anecdotes that we're all sharing behind closed doors, we could finally put data and hard facts to those stories,” said Tolli, reading his remarks from his phone.

Since then Tolli said, “We’ve published an annual Behind the Scenes report, we've published Write Inclusion fact sheets, [which feature] tips for authentic storytelling. We've done trainings to help create and navigate inclusive writers rooms, and we’ve built a community with writers who are seeking a safe and inclusive environment in this business.”

After a breath, Tolli continued with, “TTIE is a resource, it is a thought leader, and it is a champion for historically excluded writers and their stories, which are our stories. So, we're out here today, because we have made great strides in the [diversity, equity and inclusion] space, but the ladder is disintegrating as we climb up it.”

Tolli said, that, “The issues at the core of this strike disproportionately affect people like us. Writers room size matters, because fewer voices means less depth and nuance on our shows. Writers on-set and in post matter because we need that experience to be the showrunners of tomorrow. And when we become the showrunners of tomorrow, we need to be fairly compensated and given managerial training to be successful leaders. Protections against A.I. matter, not just to safeguard our presence, but to prevent the regurgitation of problematic, racist and dangerous stereotypes and tropes that harm our communities.”

While, as Tolli pointed out, that many of the crowd got their start in television, “We need better pay and to combat free work in features as well so that we can make the same gains on the big screen.”

What is happening is, ‘more than an existential fight for our careers and livelihoods,’ said Tolli.

“We're fighting for the future of creativity that inspires people across the globe. The stories that we create have an impact on popular culture narratives — they entertain audiences, they change minds, and they change society for the better.”

Tolli then urged everyone to look at what’s currently happening in the world.

“In our very own country there’s book banning, legislation that’s discriminatory, hate speech and erasure of our communities. There's never been more of an urgent time for our stories to shift the national and international perspective for our people’s safety and survival.”

He concluded with, “TTIE stands in solidarity with the WGA and our friends at SAG-AFTRA. Together we will achieve our goals, we will win this fight, and once we do, we're excited that historically excluded writers will have a seat at the table. Stories matter. Our stories matter!”

Before the group stepped off to resume walking the picket line, Tolli emphatically said, “Our stories matter, say it with me” which led to the call and response of “Whose stories matter? Our stories matter!”

For more information about Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity, please visit this site.