Freeform Announces Panels for Second Annual Summit

Freeform announced today its panels and participants for the second annual FreeForm Summit, a network and industrywide event featuring some of the biggest names at the forefront of the network's 2019 programming slate, to be held in Hollywood on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27. Themed "A Stage for Everyone," the event will serve as an "UnPageant," which aims to revolutionize the concept of a beauty pageant and redefine the status quo. Panels will deliver candid conversations focusing on authentic storytelling, inclusion and representation, and emphasize how far young adults have pushed society to reexamine cultural norms. Also contributing to the conversations will be key influencers and tastemakers who have impacted change through their platforms and are helping shape the future of media.

The format of the summit is guided by Freeform's identity, which continues to set itself apart from other content platforms by delivering stories that celebrate the power, possibility and inclusivity of youth culture-stories that are bold, sophisticated, inspirational, culturally significant and most importantly, on the pulse of young adult life.

Panels will include:

Young Adults Keep Ruining Everything

Moderated by: Nischelle Turner (Correspondent, Entertainment Tonight)

2018 was a big year for young adults. From engaging the world in the "Black Lives Matter" movement to challenging gender norms and diversifying the media business, young adults have made their stake in this world as innovators, thought-leaders and changemakers. Yet their reputation in society still gets overshadowed by a disdain for avocado toast, social media frenzy and accusations of laziness. Well, we can have our toast and eat it too. Despite the jeers of entitlement, today's young adult continues to reshape every industry by using their platforms and savvy to inspire the fight for representation. Join today's trailblazers in a conversation about redefining the status quo in television, sexuality, art, fashion and more.

Why Won't You Date Me? Attraction Vs. Implicit Bias, On And Off Screen

Moderated By: Tre'vell Anderson (Director of Culture and Entertainment, OUT Magazine)

Black women are more likely than any other demographic to be rejected on a dating app. Meanwhile, Asian men are less than 1 percent of heartthrobs cast on the big screen. Representation for transgender and bisexual relationships is even lower. These dating issues and stereotyped "Prince Charmings" mirror the implicit biases constructed by society. With over 80 percent of rom-coms starring mostly straight, white protagonists and love interests, there's no DOUBT that we've been culturally conditioned to swoon over "Dawson" and "Pacey" before we ever meet "Aaron" and "Luca." Join our panel of experts, actors and influencers in a discussion on the importance of diversifying love stories on-screen.

Be Whoever The FF You Want

Moderated By: Jessica Radloff (West Coast Entertainment Correspondent, Glamour)

It's 2019. Let's agree to be done with stereotypes and expectations. It's time to stop dictating how people should act, who they should love and what they should look like when defining their worth. Luckily, these panelists know exactly how to own a stage, command a room and write some badass characters that challenge the status quo. From motivational IG videos to flipping the superhero stereotype on its head, this panel of fearless forces will discuss how we can find the confidence to fight for what we deserve, know our true worth and level the playing field.

A Stage For Everyone-What 'The UnPageant' Means To The Future Of Representation

Moderated By: Sesali Bowen (Senior Entertainment Editor, Nylon)

As today's young adults lead a rebellion against unrealistic standards of beauty, race, sex, gender exclusion and patriarchy, the days of conventional societal standards which judge people based on their performance of traditional "femininity" are becoming obsolete. With the entry of a new generation of changemakers comes a new and more realistic view of what the world actually looks like-on and off screen. Join the fearless TITANS of today who are striving for a more inclusive tomorrow through fashion, storytelling and activism.

Panelists will include:

• Kenya Barris (Executive Producer, "grown-ish," "black-ish," "Unrelated")

• Sasha Pieterse (Star, "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists")

• Patrisse Khan-Cullors (Co-founder, Black Lives Matter)

• Gigi Gorgeous (Advocate and Author)

• Eliot Laurence (Executive Producer, "Motherland: Fort Salem")

• I. Marlene King (Executive Producer, "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists")

• Joanna Johnson (Executive Producer, "Good Trouble")

• Peter Paige (Executive Producer, "Good Trouble")

• Francia Raisa (Star, "grown-ish")

• Nyle DiMarco (Actor, Model and Activist)

• Patrick Starrr (Beauty Guru and Youtube Personality)

• Maia Mitchell (Star and Executive Producer, "Good Trouble")

• Katie Stevens (Star, "The Bold Type")

• Aisha Dee (Star, "The Bold Type")

• Diggy Simmons (Star, "grown-ish")

• Josh Thomas (Star,Executive Producer, "Everything's Gonna Be Okay")

• Sherry Cola (Star, "Good Trouble")

• Samantha Fishbein (Co-founder and COO, Betches Media)

• Aubrey Joseph (Star, "Marvel's Cloak & Dagger")

• Zuri Adele (Star, "Good Trouble")

• Leyna Bloom (Model, Actor, Dancer and Activist)

• Hillary Kerr (Chief Content Officer & Co-Founder, Clique Brands)

• Avie Acosta (Model)

• Billie Lee (Activist and Host)

• Geena Rocero (Producer, Model and Advocate)

• Lala Milan (Actress and Comedian)

• Dexter Mayfield (Performer and Influencer)

Additional panelists and performers to be announced at a later date.

The FreeForm Summit will be made accessible and inclusive to people with disabilities through its collaboration with Amplify Entertainment Company, newly formed by Nyle DiMarco and Sami Housman.

Photo Credit: Freeform

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