Moderated Q&A with Fanshen Cox and Student

Q&A
Day Two: November 14, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Varsity Hall

Session Video

Session Description

Following the interactive keynote, Fanshen Cox will take questions from a UW–Madison student and the audience.

Speakers

Fanshen Cox

Fanshen Cox is a multi-talented artist, producer, and educator, known for her award-winning work in impactful storytelling. She is the founder of TruJuLo Productions, a media company dedicated to promoting stories that speak truth in pursuit of justice in service of love. 

Fanshen served as the Senior Vice President of Development and Impact at Pearl Street Films, founded by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the development of socially conscious projects with a focus on those by underrepresented writers and directors. 

Fanshen’s passion for creating positive change extends beyond her work in media. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cape Verde, West Africa, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Education, a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and an MFA in TV, Film & Theatre. 

Fanshen has received numerous accolades for her work, including Distinguished Alumni Awards from both California State University, Los Angeles, and Teachers College, Columbia University, and an honorary MFA in producing from New York Film Academy. She is also a co-author of the Inclusion Rider, a powerful tool for promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. The Inclusion Rider was famously announced at the 2018 Oscars by Frances McDormand. 

Fanshen is also the co-creator, producer, and host of the Webby-nominated podcast Sista Brunch, which highlights the achievements of Black women and gender expansive people in entertainment and media. 

Fanshen’s commitment to promoting positive change through media and education has made her a powerful force for good in the industry, and her work continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world. 

Thumbnail of speaker Fanshen Cox.

Jordan Edwards

Jordan is a Computer Science undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He’s passionate about using technology to uplift under-resourced communities. He aims to address real-world challenges with software development expertise and a collaborative mindset. Through community outreach efforts like volunteering at coding workshops, he’s committed to making technology more accessible and inclusive for everyone. Jordan is part of the Posse Program and a Posse Ambassador. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the National Society of Black Engineers.

Thumbnail of speaker Jordan Edwards.