Silvana had spent years building a strong creative career in development and production at major production companies like Fresh TV / Elliot Animation and Spin Master Entertainment. But when she looked ahead, she couldn’t see a clear path forward. Like many Black professionals in the screen industry, she had the experience, the ideas, and the drive—but not the access.
“I just wanted to try something new, explore different genres. But in this industry, that kind of pivot isn’t easy, especially if you’re Black and mid-career.”
Determined to change the script, she sought out professional development to help achieve her goals. What followed was a 20-week placement, supported by the Black Screen Office’s Producer’s Accelerator. That experience led her to the Mid-Career Accelerator, where she’s now setting bold goals for her next chapter, and getting the mentorship and strategic support she needs to reach them.
The Reality of Being a Mid-Career Professional
Silvana applied for the Mid-Career Accelerator because it addressed a critical and often overlooked industry need: mid-career advancement for Black professionals in corporate roles.
“There are a lot of programs for people breaking into the industry, but very few for those of us who are mid-career,” Silvana shares. “This one is different. It’s designed to meet us where we are, and to work with our current employers to help us move to the next level.”
What made the Accelerator stand out wasn’t just the skills training or industry connections; it was the buy-in from employers. Silvana’s current employer, OYA Media Group, is committed to her growth. OYA’s leadership will be actively engaged in her journey through the program, including providing guidance on her critical experiences, an integral component of the Accelerator program.
Through the Accelerator, Silvana has an opportunity to name her goals—attending international markets, speaking on industry panels, expanding her leadership—and actively pursue them with the support of her mentors and supervisors.
The Importance of Representation and True Allyship
Silvana is no stranger to being the only Black person in the room. For much of her career, she carried the weight of representation alone, often stepping into unspoken roles as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) “expert” on teams that lacked awareness and accountability.
“I became the person who had to ask the tough questions—like, why are we using white actors to voice characters of colour in animation? Why aren’t we hiring Black writers to tell Black stories?”
Working at OYA, a Black-led company, has been the exception, not the norm. It’s the first time she hasn’t had to explain why equity matters. Instead, she’s supported, understood, and valued. That kind of culture, she says, needs to become the standard, not the outlier. Silvana recognizes that most industry professionals aren’t working in culturally aligned spaces, and that’s where employer participation in programs like the Accelerator is crucial. It signifies a real commitment to mentorship, support and changing the workplace culture so that Black professionals can actually succeed.
One of Silvana’s biggest aspirations through the Accelerator is to build meaningful relationships with senior-level mentors who can offer insights from the decision-making table. “You don’t need to be a person of colour to mentor someone from an underrepresented community. What matters is genuine support and a willingness to share access.”
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
Silvana sees programs like the Accelerator as a direct response to the promises made across the screen industry in 2020: commitments to equity, to anti-Black racism training, and to systemic change.
“We said we wanted to dismantle anti-Black racism. That means we need more Black executives. More decision-makers. More people who can say yes to bold, authentic, diverse stories.”
When employers say yes to investing in their Black employees through programs like the BSO’s Mid-Career Accelerator, they are committing to real, tangible change in the Canadian screen industry—from the inside out.
Invest in a more diverse Canadian screen industry
Are you ready for change?
The Mid-Career Accelerator accepts rolling submissions; contact Natassia Morris, Business Manager for the BSO’s Research and Action Centre, at [email protected] to learn more about joining.
The Black Screen Office Mid-Career Accelerator is supported by:
