(LOS ANGELES) – The Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals held its 2nd Annual TV & Entertainment Summit this past weekend at the New York Film Academy, Los Angeles and at the Writer’s Guild of America, West. The summit provided aspiring actors, writers, directors, producers, talent agents and more with the tools necessary to skillfully and confidently make their mark in the entertainment industry.
Opening night, actors Bresha Webb and Tone Bell of the new series, Truth Be Told, and actor and comedian Lil Rel Howery from The Carmichael Show emphatically discussed their work ethic and the level of faith required to reach their goals.
Webb, who previously starred on the shows Love That Girl! and Grey’s Anatomy shared how she ventured into stand up comedy to break the bonds of drama television and diversified her craft with the crowd.
“Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready,” Webb said.
Panelist Tone Bell spoke about his former struggles, once sleeping on an air mattress while filming on-screen television roles. “You don’t catch a break until you’ve been broken,” Bell said. The actor also encouraged attendees to take a business course to learn how to make wise investments after reaching success.
Comedian Lil Rel, who once changed his hair and wore a glitter shirt to appeal to industry executives, spoke about learning to remain true to self in the entertainment field.
“I was doing too much,” Lil Rel said. “Focus on your gift. Go with your ultimate dream and it will open doors for other things,” he added.
The weekend continued with a series of diversity panels, writer’s and director’s workshops, and discussions led by top industry professionals. Michael Ferrara, President of the Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals, shared why this event was and is so important for minorities in the entertainment industry.
“This event just adds to what we want to do at the Urban League. Our President Nolan Rollins has a big push on galvanizing the film and entertainment space in Los Angeles and we want to have more faces like us present at the table,” Ferrara said. “This is what we want to do as young professionals, always go to higher levels,” he added.
