Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Promotes Rishi Rajani to CEO (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Angelique Jackson Hillman Grad, the multi-platform entertainment company founded by actor, producer and Emmy-winning writer Lena Waithe, has promoted veteran executive Rishi Rajani to CEO.In his new role, Rajani will oversee all divisions across Hillman Grad, guide the company’s overall strategic and creative direction, and develop new business partnerships.

Waithe will retain her position as founder and chair.Since joining the company in 2018 as president of film and television, Rajani has played a key role in furthering Hillman Grad’s mission to “create art that redefines the status quo by amplifying and celebrating the stories and voices of diverse, historically marginalized communities across all industries.” “Rishi Rajani has worked tirelessly to help make Hillman Grad what it is today,” stated Waithe, announcing the promotion. “I’m honored to work alongside him as we embark on a new chapter in our company.

Our goal is to not only open doors for the next generation, but to also keep those doors open for generations to come.”Born in London, and raised in upstate New York and Portland, Ore., Rajani graduated from NYU before rising through the ranks as a film and television development executive at 20th Century Fox, UTA, Paradigm and Studio 8.Under the Hillman Grad banner, Rajani executive produced “The Chi,” “Twenties” and “Boomerang,” as well as the Sundance award-winning film “The 40-Year Old Version.” His upcoming feature film projects include “A Thousand and One,” starring Teyana Taylor for Focus Features; the Disney Plus original, live-action movie “Chang Can Dunk”; “Being Mary: The Mary Tyler Moore Documentary,” the first authorized biography of the iconic actor and producer; and the Verzuz documentary “Gifted.