ATTN:, Twitch, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rev. Al Sharpton and USC Partner for “Unfinished Business: Race and Equity in America”
First-of-its-Kind Twitch Homepage Live Takeover Will Bring Together Academics, Political Leaders, Celebrities and Executives to Discuss Racial Inequality in America including Usher, AG Eric Holder, Alexis Ohanian, Nas, Miles Brown, Maya Penn, Lexi Underwood, Lee Daniels, Steve Stoute, Soledad O'Brien, Valerie Jarrett, Rep. Karen Bass, Rep. Will Hurd and Others
ATTN:, Twitch, the University of Southern California, the USC Race and Equity Center, the USC Safe Communities Institute, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and his USC Schwarzenegger Institute and Reverend Al Sharpton are excited to announce Unfinished Business: Race and Equity in America, a live summit takeover of Twitch happening this Friday, October 16th to Sunday, October 18th. This set of unique, digital live stream panels on how to fight racism will bring together some of America's brightest thinkers, political leaders, public servants, academic experts, celebrities and executives across a range of industries to discuss racial inequality in America. The goal of the event is to foster dynamic conversations about race, policing, education, environmental justice, voting rights, healthcare, and the economy, specifically with the next generation of Americans who have the power to make real progress on these issues in our country.
“We’ve seen millions of our fellow citizens take to the streets to demand equality and it is our duty as Americans to listen to them. Our summit will put a spotlight on leaders all over the country who are fighting for reform, because we have heard enough dialogue and now it is time for action. I don’t believe in summits where we all talk just to hear ourselves talk - I want our summit to focus on concrete policies that we can enact now, to create a new era of civil rights. As someone who owes this country everything, I can’t stand that a Black kid born in Minneapolis doesn’t have the same opportunity as a white bodybuilder born in Thal, Austria. It is time for change to finish the job our founding fathers started,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"We are very excited and humbled to contribute to this forum. Arguably in the past half-century, there has never been a more opportune time for communities that consist of racial and ethnic minorities, to be heard for the purposes of responses to a diversity of complex and essential issues. Unfinished Business: Race & Equity in America will pull back the curtain with candid conversation with people who are doing, not talking," said Erroll Southers, Director of USC’s Safe Communities Institute.
“We are confident that useful insights and numerous solutions will emerge from our honest conversations about racism,” said Shaun Harper, Executive Director of the USC Race and Equity Center.
"With Election Day upon us, I'm proud to stand with Gov. Schwarzenegger to address this nation's unfinished business around racial equity, criminal justice reform, voting rights, education, and health care, among other critical themes. This moment in time demands change and it has nothing to do with political party or ideology, but everything to do with fighting for a more equal future for all Americans. The ATTN: virtual takeover will foster a much-needed dialogue as we rise up and tackle racism,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder & President, National Action Network Inc.
“Twitch has always been a place for our community to gather and openly engage with one another, and we are honored to partner with this incredible group of activists to host this conversation,” said Michael Aragon, SVP of Content at Twitch. "We're bringing together people from around the world and across cultures, and on Twitch everyone will have the opportunity to share diverse perspectives, learn from each other, and discuss some of the most important topics we're facing today."
“ATTN: is always looking to find unique ways to engage our audience on the important, and sometimes difficult, conversations on the issues at stake in our country,” said Taye Shuayb, ATTN:’s VP of Production. “This is exactly the kind of open dialogue we need to be having on race, and I’m proud ATTN: is partnering to create it in a forum that is accessible for young people.”
The live event is being produced by ATTN: for Twitch, the world’s largest live streaming service, and will feature programming from 12-4 PM PST each day from Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18th, headlined by panel discussions and sit-down interviews with Governor Schwarzenegger. A full programming schedule can be found at ATTN:’s Twitch page: twitch.tv/attndotcom but highlights include:
Friday, October 16th
Panels: Race & Public Safety, Race & Sports, Race & Housing featuring Dr. Erroll Southers, Chief Bisa French, Chief RaShall Brackney, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Brandon Marshall, Nate Boyer, Reshanda Gray
Interview 1: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney General of the United States
Interview 2: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson
Interview 3: Soledad O’Brien and Usher
Interview 4: Steve Stoute and Nas
Remarks: Alexis Ohanian
Saturday, October 17th
Panels: Race & Voting Rights, Race & Nerd Culture, Race & Hollywood, Race & Gaming featuring Valerie Jarrett, Camille Gear Rich, Michael J. Klarman, Professor Tricia Rose, Tanya DePass aka CypherofTyr, Baratunde Thurston, Anthony Otero, Ify Nwadiwe aka Ifdeez, Jay-Ann Lopez, Andre Meadows, Rashad Redic, Rishi Rajani, Romola Ratnam, and Congressman Will Hurd
Sunday, October 18th
Panels: Race & Education, Millennial + GenZ Forum featuring Shaun Harper, Secretary Rod Paige, Miles Brown, Maya Penn, Lexi Underwood, MURS, and Storymodebae
Interview 1: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Reverend Al Sharpton
Interview 2: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo
About ATTN:
ATTN: is a media company that entertains and informs. We are leaders when it comes to breaking down important societal topics across all platforms and reaching people who want context on the issues and conversations that matter to them.
About Twitch:
Launched in 2011, Twitch is a global community that comes together each day to create multiplayer entertainment: unique, live, unpredictable experiences created by the interactions of millions. It brings the joy of co-op to everything, from casual gaming and world-class esports to anime marathons, music, and art streams. Twitch also hosts TwitchCon, the biggest community event of the year, where tens of thousands of people come together to celebrate and connect with others who share their interests and passions. We’re always live at Twitch. Stay up to date on all things Twitch on Twitter and on our Blog.