Black Public Media (BPM), the Harlem-based national nonprofit that has championed Black filmmakers and storytellers for more than four decades, is taking bold action in the face of a major funding setback. After losing $1.8 million from its annual federal budget, BPM has launched the Black Stories Production Fund, a two-year fundraising campaign designed to raise $9 million to safeguard and sustain Black storytelling in public media.
The initiative calls on supporters—from major institutions to everyday citizens—to contribute. While BPM welcomes corporate and foundation partnerships, the organization is equally focused on community giving, seeking donations starting at $5 and aiming to engage 1.8 million donors in its first year.
“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. “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 its founding in 1979, BPM has invested more than $17 million into groundbreaking projects such as Ailey (2021), Daughters of the Dust (1991), I Am Not Your Negro (2018), Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes (2023), and Mr. Soul! (2018). These films and others have earned Emmy, Peabody, and Telly Awards, as well as Oscar nominations, elevating the work of acclaimed filmmakers including Julie Dash, Michèle Stephenson, Stanley Nelson, and Sam Pollard.
Beyond film, BPM continues to innovate through its signature programs such as AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, now in its 17th season, AfroPoP Digital Shorts, and Keyshawn Solves It, a celebrated children’s podcast recognized by Common Sense Media. The organization has also embraced emerging media by supporting artists working in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), providing access to new technologies and resources.
“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,” Fields-Cruz said. “We are asking all who share our vision to take action to fuel the future of Black stories.”
To contribute, visit Black Public Media’s donation page