Underrepresented groups comprise 41% of the US Military, and women only 17.5%. VME is committed to supporting and raising the profiles of these veteran groups by connecting them to existing industry diversity programs in studios, networks, agencies, guilds, etc.
History of Diversity in the Military
The United States Armed Forces has done some of its greatest work when it has dismantled barriers to service and opened its ranks to Americans of different backgrounds and identities.
Inclusivity within the U.S. military has been hard-fought but admittedly slow. Black service members have fought in every single war since America’s founding, but were not permitted to serve alongside white soldiers until 1948. Similar barriers existed for women and gay service members and continue to prevent many people from serving openly or at all today.
Most people are often surprised to learn that the demographics of the US Military (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force) is composed of 41% underrepresented populations such as Asian, African American/Black, Hispanic, Native American /Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian / Asian Pacific Island, and Mixed Races.
CALLING FOR PARTNERS
VME actively seeks to partner with existing DEI programs within studios, networks, streamers, production companies, agencies, unions, etc. We are always looking for ways to introduce our diverse membership to opportunities where their service appreciated and their talents can be nurtured.
If you have a DEI program, please consider veterans and VME. Or, if you are considering a program or already in development on one, we’d love to explore ways to collaborate.
In 2020 & 2021, VME had its own Media Fellowship Program sponsored by AT&T. The Fellowship engaged a diverse group of 60 veterans through a four-month weekend program.
In 2022, VME was selected to partner with Netflix Animation Studios, where 40 VME members, many Native American, participated in their four-month-long fellowship program.
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