THE FIRSTS

PARIS BARCLAY

Director and Producer

In 2013, Paris Barclay became the first Black and the first gay president of the Directors Guild of America. Though he stepped down in 2017, his work toward creating a safer work environment and growing opportunities for artists of color has only expanded. Alongside director Steven Soderbergh, Barclay cochaired the “Return to Work” negotiations, in which major unions and producers determined a way to reopen film and TV production under new safety guidelines amid the pandemic. In short, he helped get Hollywood back to work.

“I have two families: the one I have at home with my husband and sons, and the one I have at work with the cast and crew of ,” he says of the spin-off that showcases two leading LGBTQ+ characters. “Both have needed my focus