Black Public Media fights back against erasure: Launches $9M fund to fuel Black storytelling

In a bold move to counter a devastating $1.8 million federal budget cut, Black Public Media (BPM) has launched the Black Stories Production Fund, a nationwide campaign aimed at preserving and amplifying Black narratives across public media. The Harlem-based nonprofit seeks to raise $9 million over the next two years, rallying support from foundations, corporations, and everyday citizens starting with donations as small as $5.

About Black Stories Production Fund

“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 Leslie Fields-Cruz, BPM’s executive director. “It is vital that these narratives retain their rightful place in the public square where they educate audiences, spark conversations and illuminate solutions.”

This new fund drive is more than a financial lifeline, it’s a strategic stand against political volatility and cultural erasure. BPM’s goal for the first year is ambitious: 1.8 million donors, symbolically matching the amount slashed from its budget.

Legacy of Impact

Since its founding in 1979, BPM has invested over $17 million in groundbreaking projects, supporting films such as Daughters of the Dust, I Am Not Your Negro, Ailey, and Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes. These works have earned Emmys, Peabodys, Anthem Awards, and even Oscar nominations. BPM has also nurtured the careers of acclaimed filmmakers like Julie Dash, Stanley Nelson, Michèle Stephenson, and Sam Pollard.

Beyond film, BPM’s influence spans digital and emerging media. Its signature series AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange is now in its 17th season, while AfroPoP Digital Shorts and the award-winning children’s podcast Keyshawn Solves It continue to engage diverse audiences. BPM also empowers creative technologists through training in VR, AR, and other cutting-edge platforms.

Black Public Media’s Call to Action

“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,” Fields-Cruz emphasized. “The future of public media should never again be subject to the whims of politics.”

Supporters are encouraged to donate and share the campaign link here.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps safeguard the future of Black storytelling.

To learn more, visit blackpublicmedia.org or follow @blackpublicmedia on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.