The landscape of Hollywood is witnessing a transformative wave as celebrities come together to uplift young women pursuing careers in the industry. In a compelling display of support, Regina Hall and Chase Infiniti recently collaborated with Dakota Johnson during The Hollywood Reporter’s 2025 Women in Entertainment breakfast gala. This inspiring event took place on December 3, where they collectively distributed over $1 million in scholarships to high school seniors, embodying the spirit of mentorship and empowerment.
The Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program, an initiative produced in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, is designed to bridge the gap for high-achieving young women from underserved communities. This program pairs these promising students with established figures in the entertainment industry, providing them with a year of one-on-one mentorship, guidance, and essential educational resources. It’s a unique opportunity crafted to help young talents navigate the complexities of the entertainment world.
The breakfast gala commenced with an emotional video presentation that resonated deeply with attendees, though presenters Hall and Infiniti humorously acknowledged they couldn’t view it from the stage. Following this heartfelt moment, Hall expressed a shared excitement among the presenters, emphasizing the program’s commitment to its scholars. She revealed that Lifetime would provide $10,000 scholarships to every girl graduating from the mentorship program, showcasing a robust investment in their futures.
Hall articulated the importance of collaborative support, highlighting the contributions from various partners that fuel the program’s success. The Golden Globe Foundation and Gersh are instrumental in this initiative, while WME has generously pledged $75,000 to cover essential operational expenses. These partnerships reflect a community effort vital for creating lasting change in the lives of these young women.
Every graduating mentee is set to receive a brand-new Apple MacBook Air, courtesy of Dany Garcia and Seven Bucks Productions, illustrating a thoughtful approach to equipping these aspiring professionals with the tools they need for success. Further cementing this generosity, the Wasserman Foundation is also stepping in to ensure all mentees entering college will have their own laptops, fostering a technological advantage as they embark on their educational journeys.
In a particularly momentous part of the event, three seniors from the program were awarded full-ride scholarships, a testament to the program’s profound impact. Dakota Johnson bestowed the first scholarship, funded by The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, to Elisa, who will be attending Chapman University. Regina Hall followed this with the announcement of a second, also from the Chuck Lorre Foundation, awarded to Leah for her studies at Loyola Marymount University. Chase Infiniti rounded off this impactful moment by presenting the final full-ride scholarship to Luna, another student headed to Chapman University.
The audience at this star-studded gathering included notable personalities from across Hollywood, all gathered not only to celebrate the achievements of these young women but also to honor the ongoing contributions of female leaders in the entertainment industry. Hosted by comedian Rachel Sennott, the event was filled with warmth and camaraderie, showcasing not just the individual successes of the honorees, but also the collective effort to uplift women in an industry that is constantly evolving.
Among the attendees was Kerry Washington, who presented the prestigious Equity in Entertainment Award to the iconic Jennifer Lopez. Moments like these serve as powerful reminders of the importance of representation and equity in the media, reinforcing the event’s central theme of empowerment for women across all facets of entertainment.