The Chimaera Project is dedicated to empowering women and nonbinary filmmakers to fearlessly create, inspire and lead. Their mission is to create change by demonstrating an inclusive model, and their vision is to support women filmmakers to see their project to fruition. The organization believes that by supporting creative visionaries telling the stories that will grow our hearts, open minds and ask questions, together we can lead a movement for positive change in the world.

The 411 Brand is dedicated to empowering youth through innovative programming in education, entertainment and athletics. The organization’s mission is to connect young people with successful individuals, providing the guidance and inspiration they need to achieve their own success. Through their engaging and culturally relevant programs, they have reached over 850 students in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Each program is thoughtfully designed to resonate with today’s youth, ensuring the organization stays connected with what they are eager to learn.

206 Zulu is a network of individuals whose shared objective is to work with and empower local communities. The non-profit organization carries a mission to provide accessible spaces while serving communities through the upliftment, preservation and celebration of Hip Hop culture. Using Hip Hop as a platform for creative expression, education and social justice, their programs empower young creatives to explore themselves and the world we live in through various events and programs.

The Mosaic Film Experience is an innovative educational platform that empowers underrepresented youth to explore emerging and creative careers through the power of storytelling. Using digital storytelling as a tool for learning, the organization aims to level the playing field for students across barriers created by economic status, race, gender, disability or geographic location.

The Creative Academy is dedicated to teaching, engaging and preparing economically disadvantaged high school students in the creative arts industries, including music production, photography and video production. The organization’s comprehensive curriculum not only fosters artistic expression but also equips our students with essential skills like financial literacy, computer literacy and community service. Located in Atlanta, Ga., The Creative Academy aims to empower students by providing them with the necessary resources to succeed. By participating in the offered programs, students not only develop artistic talents but also gain the financial literacy and life skills necessary to thrive in today’s world.

The Chicago-based organization aims to to activate Black youth as the architects and leaders of transformative civic and social change in their communities and beyond.

The Swell Collective was conceived in 2013 as a way to amplify positive sum practice in response. By investing care, peer support and capacity building resources into communities, The Swell Collective aims to accelerate our emergence into a positive-sum future.

Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory supports and advocates for developing an intentional framework toward diversity in the creative arts, media and technology fields – and one that is socially and economically inclusive and accurately reflects Los Angeles County regarding ethnicity, gender and age. Their work strives to dismantle the many barriers to equal opportunities in the arts and creative industries so those interested in pursuing such careers can truly grow and thrive.

Philadelphia Robotics Coalition addresses disparities in STEM education by providing after-school robotics programming at under-resourced city schools.

The Hawaii-based nonprofit’s work increases opportunities for Native Hawaiians and Wai’anae Coast residents by developing the community’s rich natural, cultural and human resources.

Empowr works to uplift the Black community by creating the school-to-career pipeline. To combat racial wealth gaps and systems of inequality, Empowr’s comprehensive program teaches high-paying and in-demand skills to students to create a prosperous and equitable future. The organization creates culturally relevant curricula and works with partners to ensure all of their students obtain jobs upon graduation.

The Chicago-based nonprofit’s mission is to promote the positive development of at-risk youth by providing unique opportunities to enhance their academic, social and emotional intelligence through hands-on exposure to the arts, STEM, Trades and mental health. The Brown House Experience offers both in-person and virtual programs for youth. Their virtual programs have reached youth all over the Chicagoland area, Las Vegas and Texas. They currently provide mentoring, after-school programming, trade skills, STEM lessons, art workshops, mental health workshops, behavior management workshops, community events, restorative justice, field trips and interactive mobile stations.

Big Picture Alliance’s mission is to empower Philadelphia youth to define their own narrative through filmmaking and digital media by providing them with transformative learning experiences to have their voices heard and reach their full potential. They offer a pathway of school, summer and workforce programs that provide youth with the tools they need to tell their own stories and the skills they need to succeed in school, life and career. Through partnerships with schools, industry and cultural institutions, Big Picture Alliance brings project-based programs into classrooms and communities across Philadelphia. 

Heart and Soul Design Center (HAS Center) is a 501(c) 3 youth and community based organization designed to be a pillar in the community for resources, programs, and training. Our Mission is to use multimedia and other programming to create a platform to promote education, training, exposure, social advancements, and opportunities.  We offer these services with the intention of providing job skills, life-long learning skills, and an overall support network to increase self-confidence.  

TA98 is a nonprofit organization that tackles unemployment by providing young adults with meaningful career development. TA98 serves youth of color ages 16-24 who reside in Chicago—with the majority coming from the city’s south, west, and northwest side communities. Through their programs, youth are able to hone in on their interests by creating projects and organizing events that utilize creative skills such as photography, graphic design and digital marketing. They also provide coaching and the safe space necessary for youth to further explore their passions and identities.

By developing and offering creative educational programs that are inclusive and accessible, and that promote excellence and empower youth to strive toward their highest potential, New Era Creative Space is on a mission to nurture the next generation of visionary thinkers. Through collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of local organizations, artists and families, New Era Creative Space delivers programs that are creative, experiential, promote problem solving skills, social emotional learning and a sense of citizenship.

Totem Star has become a place for those artists to build life skills in critical thinking through their creative pursuits in music production and performance, communication and collaboration. This creates an environment for young recording artists to thrive in a community that is inclusive and encourages them to learn about music production and performance. The Totem Star Studio program empowers artists to compose and record original songs. The Stage program gives artists an opportunity to perform at open mics that they plan, promote and produce. The Story program is a unique monthly program where youth can attend panels and connect with culturally relevant guest artists and other industry professionals.

What started as a small after-school program serving 50 students has grown to provide students opportunities far beyond the initial offerings. The programs that Youthbeats offer include animation, film and television training, all taught by accomplished industry professionals. There are also summer programs, giving students yet further opportunity to learn and grow.

The goal of this program is to offer mentorship opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) who are passionate about photojournalism and visual storytelling. BIPOC industry professionals along with allies will help guide those interested in pursuing their own goals and becoming established visual storytellers for their community and the Canadian media industry. People with diverse experiences and ways of seeing can only help strengthen our newsrooms and ensure the stories Canadians see are as diverse as the lives they lead.