Meet the Members of Color Congress
Discover over 100 documentary organizations led by people of color
Color Congress represents over 100 documentary organizations led by people of color. Maybe you know of prominent institutions such as Firelight Media or Asian American Documentary Network or the Blackstar Film Festival (taking place this week). But numerous other groups have been operating across the United States and the US islands with less recognition and yet equally vital.
On the new Pure Nonfiction podcast, we talk to Color Congress co-founders Sonya Childress and Sahar Driver. They discuss their mission to build an ecosystem for POC-led organizations to thrive. In the past two years, Color Congress has given out grants, convened a conference, and is now embarking to create new distribution pathways for documentaries. They also discuss a right-wing backlash to cut off funding from groups dedicated to serving communities of color.
In Doc Voices, we profile eight organizations belonging to Color Congress. We asked representatives of those groups to describe their work and how documentary film impacts their communities.
Are these names new to you? Give yourself an education.
We hear from Chief Programs Officer Julianna Brannum on Vision Maker Media's endeavors to provide Native youth with training in public broadcasting programs. Scribe Video Center's Maria Staack outlines the educational programs and workshops helping first-time filmmakers use electronic media for progressive social change.
From Educational Video Center, Executive Director Ambreen Qureshi, along with youth producers Franchesca Thomas and Mously Thiam, speaks to equipping young BIPOC artists with tools to produce first-person accounts of their challenges and accomplishments through documentary filmmaking.
Executive Director Cheryl Hirasa of Pacific Islanders in Communications describes the organization's commitment to amplifying Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander stories.
Associate Producer Talia Koylass shares how Full Spectrum Features aims to expand the definition of documentary films to allow for richer, more powerful narratives. Representing Black Public Media, Executive Director Leslie Fields-Cruz emphasizes artistry as a channel through which to dismantle notions of Blackness as a monolithic experience.
At the Center for Asian American Media, Talent Development & Special Projects Director Sapana Sakya explains the organization's mission to support stories not often seen in mainstream media.
And Program Manager Gloriana Paz tells us about Latino Public Broadcasting's efforts to combat stereotypes and showcase a broader spectrum of community voices.
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