HOLLYWOOD LEADERS, RISING TALENT, AND THE HANDY FOUNDATION SPOTLIGHT REAL PATHWAYS INTO ENTERTAINMENT CAREERS DURING NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK
- KISH Magazine
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
DL Hughley, Colleen Bell, Jasmine Sanders and Next Frame Honorees from ITV, MRC, Atlas Digital and More Join Ri-Karlo Handy and The Handy Foundation to Spotlight Hollywood Workforce Development, Apprenticeship Pathways, and the Future of Production Talent During Michael Film Screening to Mark National Apprenticeship Week
Handy Foundation Founder Ri-Karlo Handy brings together Hollywood creatives, executives, apprentices, and rising talent during National Apprenticeship Week to highlight real-world pathways into film and television careers. Pictured above (l to r) -- Top: Charles Handy , comedian, actor and syndicated radio host DL Hughley, and Ri-Karlo Handy. Bottom: Handy, Jasmine Sanders (DL Hughley Show, IHeart Media), Jen Caiola (ITV), Shawn Sanbar (Atlas Digital), Allison Frenzel (CDE), Dan Warner (Atlas Digital), Alice Nezu (Hollywood High) and Kathy Blake (Atlas Digital). Photo Credit: Earl Gibson, Courtesy of Handy Foundation/FrontPage Firm PR
LOS ANGELES, CA — During National Apprenticeship Week, Ri-Karlo Handy and The Handy Foundation convened industry leaders, emerging talent, and community partners across Los Angeles for a series of events spotlighting pathways into film and television careers through apprenticeship and workforce development initiatives.
A highlight of the week was an industry screening of Michael at AMC Universal CityWalk 19, hosted in partnership with the California Film Commission. D. L. Hughley made a surprise appearance in support of Apprenticeship Week and the organization’s mission. Riccarda Lacey, producer at Access Hollywood, welcomed guests as special industry host, while Jasmine Sanders, co-host of The D.L. Hughley Show, moderated the evening’s post-screening panel discussion featuring Ri-Karlo Handy, Founder and CEO of The Handy Foundation, Colleen Bell, Director, California Film Commission, and apprentice Chelsye Abrams, who worked on the film. The conversation centered on workforce readiness, access, and opportunity in entertainment.
Throughout the week, The Handy Foundation also hosted a high school engagement and set visit, alumni wellness programming, and additional workforce initiatives designed to support career sustainability and production readiness.
The week concluded with Next Frame: Apprenticeship Week Honoree Party at Los Angeles Center Studios, the newly reimagined annual fundraising and impact event honoring leaders advancing workforce development across entertainment.
Honorees included RJ Olson (MRC) and Jenise Caiola (ITV), recognized with Employer Champion of the Year honors; Atlas Digital’s Shawn Sanbar, Dan Warner, and Kathy Blake, honored as Partner Champions of the Year; Allison Frenzel of the California Department of Education, recognized as Public Sector Champion of the Year; and Alice Nezu of Hollywood High School, honored as Education Partner of the Year.
“This isn’t just about opening doors—it’s about making sure people are ready when those doors open,” said Handy, who in addition to leading The Handy Foundation, remains active in production as executive producer and showrunner of Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City, recently greenlit for a second season. “The focus now has to be on preparing people to step onto set and contribute on day one.”
As studios and producers look to stabilize production workflows, initiatives like The Handy Foundation’s signal a broader shift toward workforce infrastructure as a key component of the industry’s next phase—one increasingly tied to apprenticeship as a scalable solution. Nationally, more than 2,700 events were held as part of the 2026 observance, underscoring the growing role of apprenticeship in building a skilled workforce.
Applications are currently open for The Handy Foundation’s upcoming training and apprenticeship programs, with a focus on preparing talent for immediate placement on film and television productions and supporting long-term career pathways.
For more information on programs and upcoming opportunities, visit HandyFoundation.com.
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VIDEO: Watch as the Handy Foundation Next Frame Honorees reflect on their journeys, impact, and the work driving meaningful change across entertainment, culture, and workforce development.
A dynamic mix of industry leaders, creatives, and changemakers gather on the red carpet for the Next Frame Honoree Party, celebrating the visionaries shaping the future of entertainment and workforce development.
Members of the Handy Foundation team gather on the red carpet for the Next Frame Honoree Party, celebrating a shared mission of creating access, opportunity, and lasting impact across the entertainment industry.
EXECUTIVE BIO
RI-KARLO HANDY
CEO, Sunwise Media | Founder & CEO, The Handy Foundation
With more than 25 years spanning editing, producing, and showrunning, Ri-Karlo Handy has
evolved into a leading force shaping both the business and future workforce of entertainment.
As CEO of Sunwise Media and Founder & CEO of The Handy Foundation, he operates at
the intersection of content creation, workforce development, and industry innovation—building a
scalable ecosystem that develops hit programming while opening doors for the next generation
of talent.
Under his leadership, Sunwise Media continues to expand its footprint in premium unscripted
storytelling. Handy currently serves as showrunner and executive producer of Harlem
Globetrotters: Secrets of the City, which was greenlit for Season 2, as announced by SI.com.
His work reflects a consistent focus on culturally resonant, high-impact storytelling that travels
across platforms and audiences.
Most recently, Handy served as Senior Vice President of Unscripted at Blink49 Studios, where
he oversaw creative for a slate of successful series including The Braxtons and Toya &
Reginae. Prior to that, as Vice President of Original Programming at Bounce TV, he created the
hit drama Saints & Sinners (now streaming on Hulu) and played a key role in elevating the
network to a top-ranked destination among African American viewers.
Handy’s producing career includes collaborations with major networks and platforms including
MTV, OWN, BET, and STARZ. His accolades include a Daytime Emmy nomination for Harlem
Globetrotters: Play It Forward (hosted by Craig Robinson), as well as a PRISM Award and
NAACP Image Award nomination for Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. Two shows for which
Ri-Karlo serves as showrunner were recently nominated for two 2026 NAMIC Next Vision
Awards – Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City (Aspire) and The Braxtons (WeTV).
Through The Handy Foundation, Handy is driving one of the industry’s most impactful workforce
initiatives—developing federally registered apprenticeship programs that provide paid,
real-world pathways into below-the-line careers. In partnership with organizations including the
California Film Commission, NAACP, Netflix, NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, ITV, Bunim Murray,
Roku, and AMC, the foundation has helped place trainees across major
productions—demonstrating a scalable solution to Hollywood’s pipeline challenges. Notably,
apprentices from the program are contributing to high-profile projects including the upcoming
Michael, which premieres this April.
Expanding his impact beyond production, Handy also leads Hollywood IQ, a fast-growing
platform and community designed to equip creatives and content entrepreneurs with the
insights, access, and tools needed to build sustainable careers in entertainment.
A proven innovator, Handy launched The Post House Collective, a virtual post-production
company, during the pandemic—pioneering remote workflows that continue to support
producers and networks today.
His recent honors include the 2024 Walter Kaitz Foundation Change Maker Award (with a
$30,000 grant), the 2025 NATPE Honors “Cause + Action Award,” and recognition as a 2025
AdColor “Rockstar” Award honoree. He is a sought-after speaker, appearing at major industry
gatherings including Urbanworld, Realscreen, and NAB.
A member of Local 700, the Television Academy, the Producers Guild of America (PGA), and
the Entertainment Equity Alliance, Handy remains committed to building a more inclusive,
sustainable, and future-ready entertainment industry—where access, opportunity, and
excellence go hand in hand.
