Kim Hershman has been an executive in the entertainment industry for more than 25 years.
Currently, Ms. Hershman is the President of Claytown Productions, a production company that nurtures and supports diverse talent.
As a business affairs consultant for more than 8 years, Ms. Hershman’s clients included major studios, networks and production companies, as well high-profile producers, actors, executives and athletes.
Prior to her work as an independent consultant, Ms. Hershman worked in legal and business affairs, and as a creative executive, at studios and networks including HBO, Showtime, ABC and NBC.
However, the work of which Ms. Hershman is most proud is advocating on behalf of those who don’t have the voice, means or platform to advocate for themselves.
A recent effort, championing the cause of an unhoused Yale alum and his spouse, has led Ms. Hershman to recommend policy changes that are being implemented by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the Mayor of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Council Members, County Supervisors and the City Attorney.
As a result of these efforts, in 2020, Ms. Hershman was recognized by KTLA5 as a “Black History Month Visionary.”
Currently, Ms. Hershman is producing a documentary that she hopes will humanize the unhoused, raise awareness of systemic issues and obstacles, and serve as a practical call to action: “If not us, then who?”
Ms. Hershman is a cum laude graduate of Yale University, a graduate of Yale Law School, and the mother of two.
November 12, 2021 at 7:54 am
Thank you Dominique DiPrima and Kbla Radio 1580 for giving me a platform to set the record straight regarding Isaiah Washington, Grey’s Anatomy, Disney, ABC, Shondaland / Shonda Rhimes ….and systemic racism. Hopefully, it makes a difference.
November 12, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Excellent interview with Kim. I really enjoyed the conversation, and the clarity Kim provided on the challenges of Hollywood. Diversity and Equity is a vacant conversation in that industry. I now view Mr. Washington in a different perspective, I’ve always respected his art, but this conversation has vindicated his reputation. In my opinion.
Thanks Kim
November 17, 2021 at 2:06 pm
Thank you, Chandler. Hopefully others will take the time to listen. Public awareness (with the help of the MSM, if they choose to cover this issue as they chose to cover the 15 years of misinformation about Mr. Washington) and legislative changes are the only way to end this systemic problem. From my experience, as well as my direct outreach to corporations (NBCUniversal, ABC/Disney, to name just a couple), they refuse to step up and address the systemic problems themselves. It’s all been public-lip service with zero substantive changes. Hiring Black folk while continuing the same practices of NDAs and blacklisting is not real change. I’m working to effectuate legislative changes. 🙏🏽