Steven Canals, a screenwriter and producer best known for co-creating and executive-producing the FX television show Pose, will provide the Day 2 keynote address at the 2021 UW-Madison Diversity Forum, the university announced on Wednesday.
The UW Diversity Forum will be held on Nov. 2-3 at Union South as well as online in an anticipated hybrid format.
Hailing from the Bronx, Steven Canals earned an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA, where he developed the first script for Pose. Prior to working in entertainment, he served as a LGBT resource coordinator at SUNY-Cortland while completing his master’s degree there part-time. Canals, who resides in Los Angeles, is of Afro-Puerto Rican heritage and identifies as queer.
Pose has featured the largest transgender cast ever assembled for a scripted series. . Beyond its diverse casting, Pose has won acclaim for its daring themes and perspectives. The New York Times has called Pose a series that “demands attention,” and Variety calls it “revolutionary.”
Dr. Russell Jeung, a professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University and co-founder of the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center, will provide a keynote address at day one of the 2021 UW–Madison Diversity Forum.
The Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement is also issuing a call for proposals for breakout sessions at the Diversity Forum and is welcoming submissions from campus partners, Madison-area community members, and partners throughout the Midwest. Proposals for 75-minute breakout sessions may take the form of workshops, panel discussions or lectures and can be submitted here. The deadline for submissions is Monday, May 17.
