This year, I've been thinking a lot about passion, progress, what it means to pay it forward ? and how these ideas intersect in our lives. For me, as a kid growing up in the Bronx in the 80s, I had a passion for technology and storytelling. Computers were the new kid on the block. And my family, like so many others, couldn’t afford the Commodore 64, but somehow my mom made a way to buy that computer for me, and my life was forever changed because of it. My story isn’t unique, though. Being given access to resources ? whether they are physical or even financial tools ? can be a game changer for an individual or an entire community.?
Back in June, we
announced
a $100 million fund to center and amplify Black voices and perspectives on YouTube, alongside a commitment to doing better as a platform to protect Black creators, artists and users. Since then, we’ve been doing a lot of work behind-the-scenes to bring these commitments to life because we believe when we center Black and other diverse voices, we reflect back the power of our global community.??
The fund ? now officially named the “#YouTubeBlack Voices Fund” ? will invest with an intention: to present fresh narratives that emphasize the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of Black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice. Over the next three years, this global fund will be used to acquire and produce YouTube Originals programming, focused on Black experiences around the world, and to directly support Black creators and artists so that they can thrive on YouTube.?
Today, we are excited to announce five YouTube Originals from the fund, including a documentary series from Patrisse Cullors, one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter; an HBCU Homecoming special; a sequel to the recently launched “Bear Witness, Take Action;” a family series to encourage open communication about real world issues; and a new series that tackles public health:?
Here are the new and returning YouTube Originals from the fund:
Resist
- Series Premieres on October 20
This 12 episode documentary series follows the grassroots work of multicultural/intersectional organizations fighting the Los Angeles county’s $3.5 billion jail expansion plan in 2018 and examines the issues of cash bail, unlawful arrest, over-policing of Black and brown neighborhoods, and mass incarceration. The series is an emotional look into the motivations and daily struggles of the movement workers on the ground, featuring incredibly inspiring stories from Patrisse Cullors (co-founder of Black Lives Matter), members of JusticeLA including Jayda Rasberry of Dignity and Power Now, Helen Jones of Dignity and Power Now and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, Bamby Salcedo of TransLatina Coalition, and Johnathan Perez of Immigrant Youth Coalition.? The docuseries is produced by Blackpills and Pulse Films. Executive Producers are Patrisse Cullors, Dream Hampton, Mervyn Marcano, Thomas Benski, Marisa Clifford, Robin Frank, Tani Ikeda, Kai Bowe, Davey Spens, Clara Levy and Philipe Haim.