I love this poster that Colombian artist Hansel Obando made for the Alliance in 2020. It reminds me of what we’ve been through since then, the stories we’ve told, the struggles we’ve managed, the collective spirit we’ve held constant. As we design a new poster illuminating our intrepid member organizations and artists and the work they do in communities around the world, I am reminded that celebrating milestones and breakthroughs is important even in the darkest of times. As the basic human rights of women are on the chopping block across this country, and NYC is back on COVID “high alert,” the devastation of the war in Ukraine continues, American troops are being redeployed to Somalia, innocent people in Buffalo recently gunned down at the grocery store – I keep Toni Morrison with me to help make it through:

“Make up a story. For our sake and yours forget your name in the street; tell us what the world has been to you in the dark places and in the light. Don’t tell us what to believe, what to fear. Show us belief’s wide skirt and the stitch that unravels fear’s caul.” 

Coming up next month: I’ll be meeting with Alliance members and partners in the Bay Area the first week in June, then, COVID permitting, connecting with filmmakers at the Tribeca Film Festival, and building Arts2Work opportunities in NY State before landing in Burbank to join my colleague Shawn Jackson presenting at the AME Institute Shock of the Now conference (apparently, the place to be for California teaching artists + media arts educators), and finally heading back to Spokane where the Alliance is exploring alternative funding models for a new BIPOC-centered community media lab to support training in storytelling, video and audio production, animation, game design + development, VR/AR and live performance.

All in a month’s work. Meeting and visioning with our members and partners is a daily virtual practice for me and Alliance staff – and now that it can happen in person a little more frequently —please do not hesitate to reach out!

Join the Alliance, take that leap…

wendy@thealliance.media

Notes from the Field

Firelight Media to Host Beyond Resilience Masterclass: Black filmmakers on owning and telling our history
Join Firelight Media on Friday, June 10th, for an intimate conversation between a group of established black documentarians on what it means to archive their own history. The conversation will include filmmakersStanley Nelson, Sam Pollard, Dawn Porter, and Roger Ross Williams, moderated by Executive Producer of PBS American Experience: Cameo George. Beyond Resilience will be conducted remotely over zoom with the audience encouraged to participate in an extended Q&A session.

Deadline Approaching for NeXt DOC Fellowship
Documentary filmmakers of color ages 20-25 are invited to submit applications for Youth FX’s intensive mentorship program this fall, September 29th – October 5th. The program will provide “one-on-one mentorship, peer-mentorship, skill-shares, online masterclasses, access to film festivals and key industry convenings, and one-of-a-kind access to the diverse community and offerings brought forth by Youth FX.” In an effort to ensure that the fellowship is accessible to all interested, participants will attend at no cost to themselves with housing and food provided. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 10th.
LAST CALL: DEADLINE JUNE 1!

The Alliance is celebrating June, July and August as a Summer of Storytelling and will be sharing out a national calendar of youth and adult media career training and creative exploration opportunities, camps, programs – some are free, some are paid, some are low-cost – all are being offered by Alliance member organizations and partners across the country. If you are offering a summer media training program, please send us a one-paragraph description, a pdf flyer, and/or website application link so we can celebrate you and your impact in your community! Upload information here.