Founded in 1979 as the National Black Programming Consortium, Black Public Media (BPM), began because there was a need to encourage the development of films and television programs about the black experience that involved creative risks and addressed the needs of unserved and underserved audiences.  

Dedicated to creating a pathway for funding and distribution for Black storytellers, BPM provided seed money for projects along with opportunities for distribution through PBS.  For many filmmakers like Spike Lee, Julie Dash, Stanley Nelson, Shola Lynch, and Byron Hurt, BPM became a beacon of support at the earliest stages of their careers.  Inspired by a spirit of excellence in stories about the Black experience, BPM’s thoughtful and compelling approach to selecting projects has resulted in supporting a host of award winning and nominated films. By 2006, with an expansion of funding support to include content exclusively for the web (Black Folk Don’t, Evoking the Mulatto, Ask A Muslim), BPM has been able to engage the public in necessary conversations about race, history, and social issues through short narratives and online properties.  

Today, after nearly 40 years of historic work, BPM continues to leverage its expertise by investing in innovative content creators, and bringing dynamic programs about the Black experience that provoke, educate, and entertain on and off the screen.

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