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Piece of The Pie is a new TMZ franchise, featuring incredibly talented people of color who have had a hard time making their mark in the entertainment industry.
Our goal here is to raise awareness on behalf of marginalized voices and creators – people who have great stories to tell – and to ensure that the people who control the industry see what they bring to the table.
Antonio Cannady is the screenwriter for a YouTube web series who wants to write for major streaming networks … but he says being black makes it harder to get a job in Hollywood.
Antonio is writing for a program called “The Chronicles of PB and Jay”, but as he tells TMZ Loren Lorosa … he had white writers who told him that his appearance – tattoos, black skin and muscles – may be intimidating the people who are hiring.
It’s very alarming … Antonio says that early in his Hollywood career he was told to stop working out, and whenever he interviews to write positions on TV shows, he has to make sure to break the ice and put the rest of staff in the room at ease.
While Antonio says he’s dealt with racial stigmas and prejudices, he says it’s important for black creatives looking to win a position in Tinseltown to remember that … create their own content and let Hollywood come to you.
Antonio warns blacks not to worry about breaking down doors in Los Angeles … instead, he says it is more important to stay true to yourself, and success will come. You just need to get your ideas out there first.