Leaders in Communications: Jay Francis ’84 of Disney Television Animation

Due to winter weather, our guest speaker will be joining remotely and this event will be fully virtual. Please click this link to join the webinar. Use passcode: LiC2023!

Black History and Diversity at Disney: A Conversation with Executive Jay Francis ‘84

In honor of Black History Month, Vice President of Content and Inclusion Jay Francis ’84 shares his experience growing a diverse, creative and inclusive workforce across Disney Television Animation (DTVA).

During his 16-year tenure at DTVA, he has overseen creative direction on a multitude of original animated series including Disney’s five-time Emmy Award-winning show “Phineas and Ferb,” Emmy Award-nominated “Big City Greens,” “Amphibia” and most recently the Disney+ original animated adventure movie “Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe.”

For his work in the diversity, equity and inclusion space, Francis was recognized in Variety’s 2022 Inclusion Impact Report, earned the Black Woman Animate’s 2021 Trailblazer Award and was named one of Cablefax’s Most Influential Multi-Ethnic Executives in 2020.

The conversation will be moderated by television, radio and film senior David Anthony Barbier Jr., a Syracuse University Posse Scholar.

Leaders in Communications

Leaders in Communications is a monthly speaker series that brings media leaders, influencers and newsmakers to the Newhouse School for candid and insightful conversations with students and other guests. With a special emphasis on current trends and challenges, the series helps students keep apace of a quickly changing communications industry and provides them with a connection to the professions they will eventually lead. The series also offers valuable networking and learning opportunities, as guests visit classrooms or student organizations in addition to participating in the public conversation. The series is supported by the Hearst Speakers Fund.