From Mindy Kaling to Trevor Noah, TV personalities that are stirring conversation over cultural diversity

The recognition and acceptance of cultural diversity through television shows has aided in bridging the gap between cultures. Be it Mindy Kaling leading her own show or a show like Dear White People and Black-ish that discusses the racism in today's world, or Jane the Virgin that boasts a majority of Hispanic cast, TV, because of the sheer volume of the content is leaning towards inclusive culture. There are issues like the recently discussed Apu controversy about The Simpsons that are being sorted, but on this ‘World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development’, let us focus on culturally diverse personalities that should inspire our tomorrow. 

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling, as a woman of colour, does not shy away when asked about questions based on diversity on her various successful projects and endeavours. She, in turn, gives witty replies. The Mindy Project, which turned out to be a huge success did come under scrutiny for not having such a diverse cast, however, Mindy disagreed with this saying that there are six leads in the series with one Indian, another African-American. Her upcoming projects like Champions and Oceans 8 are set to be released later this year. 

Priyanka Chopra 

Priyanka Chopra is achieving great heights in life, including playing the lead role in Quantico and upcoming movies like A Kid Like Jake which also stars Jim Parsons and Claire Danes, along with being the UNICEF Global Goodwill Ambassador. 

The 35-year-old actor spoke at the UN Global Goals Awards at the UN General Assembly. For her, it was an honour to address leaders of world importance on empowering young girls. Everyone needs to come together and work to empower, educate, create opportunities and impart skill sets so that we can be their catalysts for change and help them build a brave and safe new world.

Diane Guerrero

The Jane the Virgin and Orange Is The New Black star has been a strong advocate for immigration reform, and she has actively spoken out against deportation. It’s a subject that hits close to home for the Colombian actress. When Guerrero was 14, she came home to an empty house where she found out that both of her parents and her older brother were deported to Colombia. After several years she has spoken top about her family history. Since then, she has met President Barack Obama and become a White House ambassador for citizenship, and this month, she publishes a memoir, In the Country We Love: My Family Divided. She has definitely come a long way and has been able to prove herself to the world. 

Trevor Noah

Comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah launched his own foundation in Johannesburg. The Trevor Noah Foundation is a non-profit organisation that equips orphans and vulnerable youth with the education, life skills, and social capital necessary to pursue further opportunity upon graduating high school or matric. They achieve this by investing in three areas such as psycho-social support, skills development, and career guidance. They are able to do this by partnering up with government schools, researching innovative approaches, and mobilizing philanthropic capital. His Daily show is also a major platform for him to bring about such changes.

Eva Longoria  

Eva Longoria has played several important roles in society and for its betterment, the actress’ most important role is the one she plays off-screen in her altruistic endeavours within the Hispanic and charitable communities. She received the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts’ Horizon Award, presented each year to the individual whose work most advances the presence of Latinos in television and/or film. Longoria also donated a house to one of the victims of Katrina through Oprah's Angel Network, and donated her whole one episode salary of Desperate Housewives to Oprah’s new philanthropic TV show The Big Give. Along with this, she raises awareness for ovarian cancer. Thus with the power and recognition, she received by undertaking such roles, she is empowering the importance of diversity. 

Ellen DeGeneres

Daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres' motto is to "be kind to one another," and she's truly leading by example with The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Whether she's surprising do-gooders on her guest list or in her audience, or just announcing her latest charity involvement, the 60-year-old really lives by example. Ellen supports people and families who are facing difficult times or those she feels need to be recognized for their good deeds and hard work for their communities. Some recent examples include a $10,000 contribution for the wedding of a breast-cancer survivor who relied on Ellen's show to lift her spirits during chemotherapy treatment and surgery recovery. Even though her show is a great way to promote the good work of people and charities, Ellen continues her humanitarian mission in her private life. She teamed up with Ben Affleck, in a bid to end world hunger in America through the Small Change Campaign.

Viola Davis

At the Women’s March in Los Angeles the Oscar-winning actress, Viola Davis gave one of the most empowering speeches on women’s rights and engaged the crowd with a truly passionate address. The star of How to Get Away with Murder spoke about how women of colour are directly affected by sexual abuse and the women who still feel silenced. The charity that Davis supports all the way is called 'Hunger Is,' which helps children who struggle with hunger on a meal to meal basis, Funds raised through 'Hunger Is' directly benefit programs focused on combating childhood hunger and improving health-related outcomes. 

Oprah Winfrey

In 2003, Oprah became the first African-American woman to reach billionaire status, according to Forbes Magazine. She has broken through cultural, geographical and gender barriers. Oprah Winfrey's career has spanned every form of media and beyond. She has had a turn in being an actress, talk show host, producer, and philanthropist. She has donated millions of dollars to various charities and organizations, with most of her money going to three foundations: The Angel Network, The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and The Oprah Winfrey Operating Foundation.