December 6, 2023
BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA
WEEKLY DISPATCH
By Leslie Fields-Cruz
On balance, 2023 has been a fruitful year for Black Public Media and the media makers we serve. Reading our Weekly Dispatch is an easy way to stay current on what we’re up to. And right now, we’re in a mood to celebrate! Below are suggestions for how you can join us.
Hang with Us at Art Basel
If you happen to be in Miami this week for Art Basel, make sure to visit us at the The Fearless Artist POPUP Miami: Art x Innovation event, Fri., Dec. 8; and at the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, and on Sat., Dec. 9, for Howard University’s Bison at Basel event. Throughout the weekend we’re hosting a variety of screenings and panel discussions with makers from our community. All BPM events are free. Go here for details.
WATCH: We Are Free Because of Harriet Tubman
This month’s AfroPoP Digital Short is the latest project from mother-daughter filmmaking duo, Marlene and Nadine Patterson. We Are Free Because of Harriet Tubman, features an original haiku by Sonia Sanchez and a musical score by Christian McBride. The film begins streaming Mon., Dec. 18. We’re also hosting a live conversation with the Pattersons and Professor Sanchez, Fri., Dec. 15. Follow us on social media and read our Weekly Dispatch for details on how you can join us.
Read Our Newsletter
Our December newsletter is full news about the achievements of our media makers, and upcoming activities and opportunities coming. Make reading it a regular part of your monthly news diet. If you’re not already subscribed, scroll down and do it today!
Give to BPM
Nothing warms the heart like giving to the people and programs you value. I invite you to include us in your year-end giving so we can sustain our current momentum. We must continue creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers like Julian Hamer and Yessica Hernandez-Cruz. Their BPM-commissioned social media campaign, Covid Conversations, was just name an Anthem Award finalist.
We want to invest in more kid-focused projects like Keyshawn Solves It, which premiered on PBS Kids earlier this summer and was just named Best Podcast of 2023 by Common Sense Media.
We need creative technologists — like the ones who represented BPM at Torrents in D.C. last month and who will showcase their work at Art Basel this month — to continue creating, exploring and expanding the virtual and immersive worlds where Black stories can flourish.
We want to facilitate the ability of the Sam Pollards, Darryl Ford-Williamses, and Michèle Stephensons of the world to continue mentoring and inspiring their younger peers.
We also need to remain a reliable partner for public media stations and a devoted advocate for the ongoing diversification of the public media ecosystem.
I believe we will continue building upon our past success because I know you share our commitment to making that happen. Give today, if you’re able, by clicking the button below. No gift is too small.
We’ve got a lot to celebrate, but there’s still a lot of work to do!
Subscribe Today!
If you’re not already receiving the BPM monthly newsletter and Weekly Dispatch, fill out the “Stay Informed” box at the bottom righthand corner of this webpage to subscribe.
BPM is supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with further funding from the MacArthur Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts. BPM is the only nonprofit that offers training, funding and distribution for projects solely about the Black experience. We welcome foundations, corporations and individuals to help with our work. For more information about underwriting and contributions, contact Alisa Norris (alisa@blackpublicmedia.org).