NEWS

Weekly Dispatch

The Power of Partnerships

You know who your REAL friends are when the going gets tough. Black Public Media is fortunate to have A LOT of powerful partnerships with friends — old and new...

Yes, We Will!

 JULY 10, 2025 BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA WEEKLY DISPATCH By Leslie Fields-Cruz Earlier this week, members of our board who reside in Los Angeles and I hosted an intimate gathering to discuss BPM’s...

What Do YOU Think?

I'm currently on vacation. While I'm away, the BPM staff is conducting two audience surveys. We REALLY want to know, what do you think?...

This Summer, Get On Board!

This summer, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on bills that will determine the future of public media...

Public Media Needs You, NOW!

Tomorrow, factions within the U.S. Congress will try to end public media. They’ve eliminated funding in the so called “BBB” and are now trying to claw back the 2024 appropriation...

The Sunny Season is Finally Here!

Pride Month. Juneteenth. Longer days. Hot nights. What's not to like about the sunny season? BPM moved its "AfroPoP" series to June...

Veteran Stories Beyond Black & White

Public Media executives understanding the unifying power of veteran stories. Which is why during the Memorial Day holiday...

Strengthening Our Collective Resolve

For the past few days, I’ve been catching up with my public media colleagues at the PBS Annual Meeting in Atlanta. This marked my 24th Annual Meeting...

Salute the Winners, then Lean In

We appreciate all who attended PitchBLACK whether in-person or virtual, and we salute all the winners. Now, it’s time to lean in...
Press Releases
BPM on Instagram
Join @blackstarfest for its 14th annual convening July 31-Aug. 3. As usual, the program includes an eclectic mix of films, panel discussions, art, music, and more. Additionally, join us for our annual Filmmaker Mixer on August 7th at 7 p.m. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website to learn more and get passes (they’re selling out fast)!

#BSFF25

Join @blackstarfest for its 14th annual convening July 31-Aug. 3. As usual, the program includes an eclectic mix of films, panel discussions, art, music, and more. Additionally, join us for our annual Filmmaker Mixer on August 7th at 7 p.m. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website to learn more and get passes (they’re selling out fast)!

#BSFF25
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Listen to Me, a documentary feature by co-directors Stephanie Etienne and Kanika Harris, is set to have its world premiere at BlackStar on August 3. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website to learn more and get your passes! 
#BSFF25 #worldpremiere #BlackPublicMedia

Listen to Me, a documentary feature by co-directors Stephanie Etienne and Kanika Harris, is set to have its world premiere at BlackStar on August 3. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website to learn more and get your passes!
#BSFF25 #worldpremiere #BlackPublicMedia
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This past Juneteenth was BPM’s first television broadcast of the PitchBLACK Awards. Didn't get a chance to join us in person this year? Well, now you don't have to miss our salute highlighting Black excellence in film and immersive media. The broadcast is available to stream from the BPM YouTube channel and website. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website to receive the links!

This past Juneteenth was BPM’s first television broadcast of the PitchBLACK Awards. Didn`t get a chance to join us in person this year? Well, now you don`t have to miss our salute highlighting Black excellence in film and immersive media. The broadcast is available to stream from the BPM YouTube channel and website. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website to receive the links! ...

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Join us for Resistance & Joy: Reclaiming Identity, an evening of powerful films and conversation centered on reclaiming narratives, identity, and joy in the face of systemic erasure.

📍 Democracy Center @ JANM
📅 July 24, 2025 | 🕕 6 PM PT

Presented by Visual Communications and co-presented by Color Congress, Black Public Media, A-DOC, BADWest, Bitchitra Collective, BGDM, Firelight Media, Scribe Video Center— this screening uplifts voices at the intersection of resistance, identity, and artistry.

🎟️ Free & open to the public: https://vcresistanceandjoy.eventive.org/welcome

#ResistanceAndJoy #ReclaimingIdentity #BlackPublicMedia #VC50 #IndependentFilm #CommunityVoices #AfroAsianSolidarity

Join us for Resistance & Joy: Reclaiming Identity, an evening of powerful films and conversation centered on reclaiming narratives, identity, and joy in the face of systemic erasure.

📍 Democracy Center @ JANM
📅 July 24, 2025 | 🕕 6 PM PT

Presented by Visual Communications and co-presented by Color Congress, Black Public Media, A-DOC, BADWest, Bitchitra Collective, BGDM, Firelight Media, Scribe Video Center— this screening uplifts voices at the intersection of resistance, identity, and artistry.

🎟️ Free & open to the public: https://vcresistanceandjoy.eventive.org/welcome

#ResistanceAndJoy #ReclaimingIdentity #BlackPublicMedia #VC50 #IndependentFilm #CommunityVoices #AfroAsianSolidarity
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Luchina Fisher in conversation with Imara Jones & Zackary Drucker!

Watch this moving conversation about Mama Gloria, the groundbreaking documentary honoring trans elder and icon Gloria Allen.

🎥 Full interview now on YouTube
📺 Mama Gloria premieres next Monday on Black Public Media’s AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, co-presented by @worldchannel and @pbs.
📲 https://worldchannel.org/show/afropop

#AfroPoP17 #MamaGloria #TransIsBeautiful #BlackTransLivesMatter #GloriaAllen #BlackPublicMedia #pridemonth

Luchina Fisher in conversation with Imara Jones & Zackary Drucker!

Watch this moving conversation about Mama Gloria, the groundbreaking documentary honoring trans elder and icon Gloria Allen.

🎥 Full interview now on YouTube
📺 Mama Gloria premieres next Monday on Black Public Media’s AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, co-presented by @worldchannel and @pbs.
📲 https://worldchannel.org/show/afropop

#AfroPoP17 #MamaGloria #TransIsBeautiful #BlackTransLivesMatter #GloriaAllen #BlackPublicMedia #pridemonth
...

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If you’re at @sheffdocfest this year, don’t miss Collateral Echoes — a striking new immersive piece by British Ghanaian artist @baff_akoto.

Through XR, film, sound, and powerful words from Paapa Essiedu and the late @officialbenjaminzephaniah, this installation pays tribute to Black and immigrant Britons lost after encounters with police since 1969.

It’s a moving reflection on grief, remembrance, and the strength of community.

🗓 Free to experience 18 June – 13 July

If you’re at @sheffdocfest this year, don’t miss Collateral Echoes — a striking new immersive piece by British Ghanaian artist @baff_akoto.

Through XR, film, sound, and powerful words from Paapa Essiedu and the late @officialbenjaminzephaniah, this installation pays tribute to Black and immigrant Britons lost after encounters with police since 1969.

It’s a moving reflection on grief, remembrance, and the strength of community.

🗓 Free to experience 18 June – 13 July
...

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✨ Neptune Frost premieres Monday, June 23 on Black Public Media’s AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange!

From directors Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, this mind-bending sci-fi punk musical follows a hacker collective rising up against exploitation in the hills of Burundi.

Watch the trailer now and stream the full film Monday on @WORLDChannel and @PBS.
🔗 https://worldchannel.org/show/afropop/

#NeptuneFrost #AfroPoP17 #BlackPublicMedia #Afrofuturism #SciFiMusical #WORLDChannel #PBSPlus

✨ Neptune Frost premieres Monday, June 23 on Black Public Media’s AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange!

From directors Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, this mind-bending sci-fi punk musical follows a hacker collective rising up against exploitation in the hills of Burundi.

Watch the trailer now and stream the full film Monday on @WORLDChannel and @PBS.
🔗 https://worldchannel.org/show/afropop/

#NeptuneFrost #AfroPoP17 #BlackPublicMedia #Afrofuturism #SciFiMusical #WORLDChannel #PBSPlus
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✨ Tongo Saa by Nelson Makengo is now available on @WORLDChannel and @PBS!

Set in Kinshasa, this powerful film offers a poetic portrait of a city navigating darkness, displacement, and hope. Don’t miss this striking glimpse into the lives of those forging light amid uncertainty.

#AfroPoP17 #TongoSaa #BlackPublicMedia #Kinshasa #NelsonMakengo #WORLDChannel #PBS

✨ Tongo Saa by Nelson Makengo is now available on @WORLDChannel and @PBS!

Set in Kinshasa, this powerful film offers a poetic portrait of a city navigating darkness, displacement, and hope. Don’t miss this striking glimpse into the lives of those forging light amid uncertainty.

#AfroPoP17 #TongoSaa #BlackPublicMedia #Kinshasa #NelsonMakengo #WORLDChannel #PBS
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#NOWPLAYING: “Dressed Like Kings” by Stacey L. Holman on #AfroPoP: Digital Shorts. Only on YouTube - Link in bio

#NOWPLAYING: “Dressed Like Kings” by Stacey L. Holman on #AfroPoP: Digital Shorts. Only on YouTube - Link in bio ...

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