Community Highlights: Meet Jessica Sherman of A Cause for Entertainment

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Sherman.

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Jessica, a casting director by day and a passionate nonprofit founder at heart.

Like so many others, my life was forever changed by cancer. In 2008, my grandmother, my best friend, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 21 at the time, just beginning my career in the entertainment industry, fully focused on building a future for myself. And yet, her diagnosis became a grounding force in my life.

Watching her navigate her journey was both humbling and heartbreaking. Because of her advanced age, she faced complications that left her forever changed, and the experience left a lasting imprint on me. It was my first deep connection to the breast cancer community.

A few years later, while working at a boutique voiceover agency in West Hollywood, I became close with one of the agents there. She had been with the company for more than a decade, but when a new partner joined, she was unexpectedly laid off. Just months later, at 39 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Without insurance and with her family living far away, she faced her diagnosis largely on her own…supported only by a small circle of loyal friends.

Witnessing her struggle made it painfully clear how vital grassroots organizations are for women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. That’s when I began working with the Avon Foundation, first as a volunteer for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and then as a walker for six consecutive years. Over that time, I raised nearly $30,000 through my solo fundraising efforts, about $4,500 each year.

By then, I had left the agency and begun building my career in casting, working on projects like Super 8, Star Trek Into Darkness, and series with directors such as J.J. Abrams, Alfonso Cuarón, and Guillermo del Toro. After my sixth Avon walk, my feet were in rough shape (I’ll spare you the details), but I wasn’t ready to take a year off. Fortunately, Avon had introduced a “DIY event” option, and that became my path forward.

At the time, I had recently served as the casting associate on Star Wars: The Force Awakens and had built strong relationships with Bad Robot and Lucasfilm. I realized I had enough goodwill to start asking for favors to bring a fundraiser to life. The idea was also sparked by my friend Josh Tate, who had created his own event called Hell Walk. In his version, he walked in circles on a small soundstage in Santa Monica while his friends partied around him, raising pledges and auctioning off memorabilia donated by industry professionals. It was quirky but effective…and it showed me what was possible.

And so, A Cause for Entertainment was born. In September 2015, I hosted the first benefit at the Next Door Lounge in Hollywood. Surrounded by friends and colleagues, we raised $18,000 through direct donations, a raffle and auction that included signed Star Wars posters, scripts, and even set visits. That first event made it clear this was the path forward.

Afterward, I officially formed A Cause for Entertainment as a 501(c)(3), with a mission centered on supporting grassroots, boots-on-the-ground organizations that provide day-to-day assistance to women and their families facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Over the years, we’ve partnered with organizations like WeSpark Cancer Support Center (Sherman Oaks), the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (Encino), and Shay Sharpe’s Pink Wishes (Baltimore, MD).

Since then, for the past 11 years, A Cause for Entertainment has continued to grow, raising over $500,000 to support the breast cancer community, within the entertainment industry and beyond.

This year’s event will be hosted on Sunday, October 26th at the Huron Substation, with the incomparable Rachael Harris (Suits, Lucifer, The Hangover) as our emcee for the evening. Tickets are available now at www.ACauseforEntertainment.com.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/charity-event-a-cause-entertainment-823164/

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I often say the first year was probably the smoothest, mainly because I had no idea what I was getting into. Every year since has brought new bumps and bruises, each one teaching us lessons and challenging us to persevere in different ways.

One of my biggest takeaways from participating in the Avon Walk was recognizing that while large organizations do a tremendous amount of good, a significant portion of the funds raised often goes toward operational costs. That realization fueled a core value of A Cause for Entertainment: we are a 100% volunteer-run organization. No one takes home a paycheck, outside of the occasional vendor when donations of service aren’t possible. Our goal has always been to direct as much of the money raised as possible to the people and communities who need it most.

That commitment is something I’m incredibly proud of, but it also comes with challenges. Everyone involved is balancing their own careers in the entertainment industry and caring for their families, which naturally limits the level of support available to sustain and grow the organization. Like any grassroots nonprofit, we’ve discovered blind spots over time. Two areas we’re actively working to strengthen are bringing in someone with a PR background and finding expertise in securing sponsorships…both of which would help us reach new heights in our mission.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A Cause for Entertainment is a nonprofit dedicated to turning creativity into impact. We harness the power of the entertainment community to raise funds and awareness for women and families facing a breast cancer diagnosis. What began as a single grassroots fundraiser in 2015 has grown into an annual tradition, bringing together industry professionals, artists, and supporters to celebrate, give back, and make a difference.

What sets us apart is the way we operate: we’re entirely volunteer-run, which means the money we raise goes directly where it’s needed most, into the hands of grassroots organizations providing day-to-day support. Over the years, we’ve raised more than $500,000 for groups like WeSpark Cancer Support Center, the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, and Shay Sharpe’s Pink Wishes in Baltimore. We’re especially proud to have partnered with Shay Sharpe for nine consecutive years. Her organization grants wishes and provides critical resources for young women under 40 living with breast cancer, offering not only comfort and care, but also vital day-to-day support. That includes helping with medical and emotional needs, providing childcare, and caring for families as a whole. In the heartbreaking cases where mothers ultimately pass, Shay Sharpe’s Pink Wishes steps in like a fairy godmother, ensuring children are supported through life’s major milestones, from birthdays to Christmas, and even through a scholarship fund that invests in their future.

Brand-wise, our greatest strength is our sense of community. We’re known for creating events that feel personal, inspiring, and inclusive…where giving back feels like a shared celebration. It’s not just about fundraising; it’s about connection, storytelling, and standing with those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s that A Cause for Entertainment proves you don’t have to be a massive organization to make a meaningful impact. With heart, creativity, and collaboration, even small but mighty groups can change lives.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is being in service of others. At my core, I believe that the work we do should not only fulfill us but also lift up those around us.

That belief is what drove me to start A Cause for Entertainment. Supporting women and families facing breast cancer is about more than raising money, it’s about showing up for people in their most vulnerable moments and reminding them that they’re not alone.

It’s also what guides me as a casting director. Casting is about more than filling roles; it’s about giving actors an opportunity to share their artistry, helping filmmakers realize their vision, and building bridges between talent and story. I take pride in creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported.

And it’s why I launched Tipsy Casting with fellow Casting Director, Jenn Presser. The podcast was born from a desire to be transparent and share knowledge with others, especially those trying to break into an industry that can often feel closed off or intimidating. By opening up the conversation, I hope to demystify the process and empower others with tools, insights, and encouragement.

In every facet of my work, being of service is what grounds me. It’s what gives my career and my nonprofit purpose, and it’s what I hope to be known for above all else.

Pricing:

• Early Bird General Addmission: $75
• General Admission (Oct 1st): $95

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.acauseforentertainment.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acauseforentertainment/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACauseforEntertainment
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicashermancasting/
• Other: https://www.jessicashermancasting.com

Image Credits
Joseph Engel, Dan Smiley, Shay Sharpe’s Pink Wishes