Data! Data! Data!
Cheldin Barlatt Rumer, CEO and Executive Producer of THIS IS IT NETWORK™, is on a mission to amplify diverse voices through educational entertainment. As the dynamic leader of a global digital platform focused on empowering women, Cheldin brings both passion and purpose to her work. Cheldin believes in using data-driven advocacy to drive equity and inclusion in media. In this exclusive Geena Davis Institute Member Profile, Cheldin shares how the Institute’s research fuels her fight for authentic representation—and why visibility, accessibility, and measurable impact matter more than ever.
GDI: Can you share a little bit about yourself and what kind of work you do? I am the CEO and Executive Producer of THIS IS IT NETWORK™. THIS IS IT NETWORK™ is a global digital streaming platform that connects remarkable women to inspiring stories through educational entertainment. It’s streaming platforms, digital talk shows and live events. Any way you can learn while you laugh. That’s what we do.
GDI: What inspired you to join the Geena Davis Institute? The data! The data! The data! I like to be armed, right? I’m an immigrant, I’m an African American, I’m a mother, I’m a woman, I’m a wife, I’m a sister, a daughter, an aunt, and all these things. A lot of us who work in the world of entertainment find ourselves constantly having to justify, unfortunately, why we belong in spaces. I like to be armed with the data to justify the profitability of my participation.
I was looking for facts. And when I did the digging, this Institute kept coming up, and kept providing the data that justified the need for my voice.
GDI: What drew you to our mission of advocating for equity and representation? Having the data that you can go to boardrooms with. The majority of us have everything we need to debate our friends around the kitchen table as it relates to the necessity for better representation. But really, what’s going to move the dial is the nuts and bolts and the numbers. The Institute provides such a clear, concise way. The research is constantly being done and then shared and then deployed to all of us. I quote the research and share it quite frequently.
GDI: In what ways has being a member of the Institute impacted your outlook on representation in the media? I have to say, even though I consider myself aware, sometimes I open the link and I’m like, “Get out!” The statistic that surprised me most recently was how few characters with disabilities are portrayed by actors with disabilities. There must be professionals with disabilities who are looking for opportunities to share their acting chops. The statistics really keep it front of mind for me. At THIS IS IT NETWORK™, we produce events. Now I’m thinking about egress and access and, what does that really look like? We’re doing work with closed captions to ensure that people are able to digest what it is that we are putting out into the world. Oftentimes, there is an additional expense to making accommodations. The statistics and data you provide help us justify, to anybody else who is in the project, that this isn’t a “nice to have,” It’s a must have based on the data.
GDI: Can you share a film, show, or piece of media that had a significant impact on your views about representation? I was lucky enough to grow up watching the Oprah Winfrey show. As somebody who is a fan and is obsessed with talk shows. Oprah was my truth. She wasn’t a novelty for me. I never questioned whether I could do it because I saw her. I’ve always enjoyed diversity in media and storytelling. It’s always just fun.
GDI: Who is your dream guest and what would you ask them? I really love to sit down with women leaders, executives and entrepreneurs. They’re my favorite, but I think it would be Oprah. It makes me emotional to think about. I know how hard it is to find the room. I know how hard it is to get into the room. I know how hard it is to stay in the room. I know how hard it is to thrive in the room. And then I have a small incubated version of what it’s like to have found the room, stayed in the room, thrive in the room, keep the room, do the thing, and then come out of the room. I’d like to talk to Oprah about that.
Connect with Cheldin on LinkedIn and be sure to tune in to THIS IS IT NETWORK™.
GDI Member Profiles spotlight the journeys of our members — their inspirations, impact, and commitment to representation. We hope this series inspires you to join the movement!