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Academy pushes for diverse membership
By Mark Shanahan
Globe Staff

Remember #OscarsSoWhite, the social media campaign calling attention to the lack of minority nominees at the Academy Awards? The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences clearly does. That’s why the 683 people invited to join the Academy in 2016 are such a diverse bunch. Announced Wednesday by Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the Academy president, the new class includes Idris Elba (inset), John Boyega, Nate Parker, Marlon Wayans, America Ferrera, and Alicia Vikander, among others. In total, the new class is 46?percent female and 41?percent people of color. New members include actors Mahershala Ali, Chadwick Boseman, Rose Byrne, Enrique Castillo, Morris Chestnut, Vivica A. Fox, Oscar Isaac, Ryan Coogler, Dennis Haysbert, O’Shea “Ice Cube’’ Jackson, Michelle Rodriguez, Gabrielle Union, Damon Wayans Jr., and Emma Watson. Newly invited directors include Coogler, who helmed “Creed,’’ “Beasts of No Nation’’ director Cary Joji Fukunaga, “Room’’ director Lenny Abrahamson, and “Belle’’ director Amma Asante.