Over President’s weekend, 11 teams of media makers descended upon the Edith Macy Center in Chappaqua, N.Y., for Black Public Media’s PitchBLACK Bootcamp. The weekend was filled with warmth, laughter and hard work as the artists supported each other in polishing their pitches.

This is my second time spearheading the in-person bootcamp for BPM. While the majority of the attendees are from the U.S., some of this year’s participants came from as far away as London and Tanzania. It was amazing to get this dynamic  group of prolific makers together to share their stories and focus on preparing for PitchBLACK Forum. I feel so proud to collaborate with my colleagues and to design a program that offers storytellers a safe space to learn, be vulnerable, make connections, feel valued, and emerge more confident about pitching to potential funders.

In addition to pitch practice, the filmmakers and immersive makers participated in sessions designed to give them the tools they need to make effective and engaging pitches. This year’s sessions included Pitch Mechanics with Kisha Imani Cameron, Identity and the Personal Narrative with k. Neycha Herford, and a conversation with Michèle Stephenson on Sustainability for Independent Filmmakers. BPM Creative Consultant Sandy Rattley, Program Coordinator Carol Bash, and Executive Director Leslie Fields-Cruz provided guidance for the five film teams while BPM Emerging Media Director Lisa Osborne, Immersive Producer Aja Evans, and this year’s PitchBLACK Forum emcee, Tameka Kee, offered feedback to the six immersive teams.