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'Pratt Presents' Speaker Series to Feature Ava DuVernay, Amy Hobby, Ahmir 'Questlove' and More!

(l to r): Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, Amy Hobby and Ava DuVernay On Tuesday, March 28, at 7:00pm, in honor of Women's History Month, Pratt Institute will continue its Pratt Presents speaker series-- lectures, conversations, and performances by distin
(l to r): Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, Amy Hobby and Ava DuVernay

On Tuesday, March 28, at 7:00pm, in honor of Women's History Month, Pratt Institute will continue its Pratt Presents speaker series--  lectures, conversations, and performances by distinguished artists, thinkers and influencers-- with screenwriter, producer and Sundance Award-winning Director Eliza Hittman, along with Academy Award- nominated Producer and Executive Director of Tribeca Film Institute Amy Hobby.

Hittman and Hobby will take center stage to explore "Women of Influence in the Business of Film" discussing the challenges of the underrepresentation of women in the film industry. Hosted by writer and film critic Thelma Adams, the event will also highlight and celebrate the achievements of women pioneers who are battling preconceived gender notions and limitations, while championing change, diversity and inclusion for women in all positions within the film business. The event will take place at the Higgins Hall Auditorium at Pratt Institute.

On April 24, at 8:00pm Pratt Presents  will take a different direction with its feature of artist, producer, and New York Times best-selling author Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and his "Conversations on Creativity," the second of such conversations by Questlove at Pratt (Thompson debuted his series on March 2, discussing "Creativity and Motivation" with writer, comedian and cultural critic Baratunde Thurston).

Author and novelist Ben Greenman will lead the next discussion on for which Questlove, joined by Academy Award-nominated director and producer Ava DuVernay, will explore "Creativity Across Genres." Both, DuVernay and Thompson have extended themselves successfully between different artistic expressions, professions and markets throughout their careers. In their conversation, the two will explore how the fundamentals of creativity change and adapt across the genres both have mastered. The event will take place at the Memorial Hall Auditorium at Pratt Institute.

Then, on May 8, Pratt Institute will present "Women of Influence in the Business of Style," featuring three top female fashion leaders in a conversation about leading change in the fashion industry. Calvin Klein, Inc.'s chief marketing officer Melisa Goldie, a Pratt alumna, along with Tracy Reese, who is founder and creative director of the Tracy Reese label, and award-winning designer Maria Cornejo, whose Zero + Maria Cornejo label is available internationally, will discuss their roles in creating, shaping, and innovating brands with a global reach. InStyle fashion news director Eric Wilson will moderate the thought-provoking conversation, part of the "Pratt Presents" series, and sponsored by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The event will take place in the IAC Building in Manhattan.

Pratt Presents is an ongoing series of free programs and events aiming to create a cultural hub for bold thought and brilliant discourse, open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made here.




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