WHY?

Film and television are powerful storytelling tools that shape our sense of self and what it means to be an American. Because non-BIPOC producers typically tell the stories of Black Americans and other people of color, they tend to distort and diminish our lives and experiences.

In mainstream entertainment, talent of color is underrepresented across the entire industry, but particularly in off-screen positions with creative control. Less than 25 percent of films produced in the United States have writers, directors, or producers who are people of color or women.

Lack of wealth and privilege are a barrier to entry into the entertainment industry. The current media production culture asks those wanting access to work for free to gain experience.

Aspiring creatives from communities of color are faced with a pay-to-play catch 22: Makeup artists, grips, set decorators, film editors, cinematographers, and more are all represented by various unions that remain overwhelmingly White. One must have union membership to get work; one must have experience on set to gain union membership; and one must, ultimately, work for free to gain experience. Because of this, most of the media production industry revolves around non BIPOC connections.

As we intentionally advance the careers of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, we do far more than train people - we are creating a path for future careers. Our mentorship and training programs lead to incubators. Our major productions lead to job placement and union qualification. At every step, our apprentices are building experience and connections to tell whatever story they desire.