National nonprofit launches fund drive to fuel the future of Black stories | NEW YORK — In response to the ripping away of $1.8 million from its annual budget by the federal government, Black Public Media (BPM) has launched the Black Stories Production Fund. The organization seeks to raise $9 million over the next two years and welcomes large contributions from foundations and corporations as well as gifts from individual donors as small as $5. The first year of the campaign aims to reach 1.8 million donors.
“As we build the production fund, we will also work with our public media partners to rebuild a better, more responsive and representative public media system,” said Leslie Fields-Cruz, executive director of BPM, a Harlem-based national nonprofit. “The future of public media should never again be subject to the whims of politics. Our mission of supporting independent voices who create work in service to the advancement of our nation, and Black people everywhere, is too important.”
Since 1979, BPM has distributed more than $17 million in support to films like Ailey (2021), Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters (2023), Daughters of the Dust (1991), I Am Not Your Negro (2018), Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes (2023), Mr. Soul (2018) and When Claude Got Shot (2022). BPM grantees have gone on to great acclaim, earning Emmys, Peabodys, Telly and Anthem Awards as well as an Oscar nomination. The group has helped nurture the careers of nationally recognized filmmakers including Julie Dash, Michèle Stephenson, Stanley Nelson and Sam Pollard. BPM has brought the work of these makers and others to public media and beyond. Among its audience favorites are the signature series AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, which is now in its 17th season; AfroPoP Digital Shorts, which premieres new shorts online bimonthly; and the children’s podcast, Keyshawn Solves it, which attracted Common Sense Media accolades in 2023. With the rise of emerging media, BPM has trained creative technologists on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and a slew of other new technologies, while providing emerging media artists access to equipment, funding and opportunity.
“For more than four decades, Black Public Media has supported innovative films and other media that mark our history and herald what’s on the horizon,” said Fields-Cruz. “It is vital that these narratives retain their rightful place in the public square where they educate audiences, spark conversations and illuminate solutions. We are asking all who share our vision to take action to fuel the future of Black stories.”
BPM is asking members of the public to donate a minimum of $5 to the campaign and to invite their friends, family members and colleagues to do the same at: https://secure.everyaction.com/IkFxVSdjX0qpQkceW1r27g2.
To find out more about BPM, visit blackpublicmedia.org or follow it on social media at: @blackpublicmedia (IG, FB, TikTok and LinkedIn).
ABOUT BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA:
Black Public Media (BPM) supports the development of visionary content creators and distributes stories about the global Black experience to inspire a more equitable and inclusive future. For 45+ years, BPM has addressed the needs of unserved and underserved audiences. BPM-supported programs have won five Emmys, 10 Peabodys, five Anthem Awards, 14 Emmy nominations and an Oscar nomination. BPM continues to address historical, contemporary and systemic challenges that traditionally impede the development and distribution of Black stories.
###