Black Hollywood

In 1996, the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center was founded to remove the veil of invisibility that shrouds African Americans and other minority groups from the main stage, and to spotlight diversity and the stellar contributions of black film and television artists who brought dignity and professionalism to even the most menial of roles. The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Cente

r, a nonprofit, public benefit organization, is designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history, and the future, of blacks in the film and television industries. The BHERC strives to highlight the important roles that blacks have played, and continue to play, in film and television. To that end, the BHERC annually celebrates and promotes black history and culture through a series of annual film festivals that recognize black film and television pioneers through showcasing historic films. Names that should be legend in the history of American filmmaking - Oscar Micheaux, Spencer Williams, Ethel Waters, Jeni LeGon, Paul Robeson, and many more - are too often unknown, even in the African American community. The festivals also showcase the richness and power of young filmmakers
who will lead the struggle for positive and quality black films in the new Millennium. Because so much of our filmmaking history has not been documented, the BHERC is committed to documenting the existence of a major black film industry that served black audiences in the shadow of the Hollywood Dream Machine. The BHERC has assembled a photo library and collection of Black Hollywood memorabilia verifying the history of blacks in the entertainment industry. The Center's commitment to the development of future filmmakers - performers, directors, and behind-the-scenes technicians and workers - is realized not only through film festivals but also through innovative educational programs. The Center annually sponsors Artistry in Motion, a seminar led by industry professionals who introduce middle and high school students to the magical world of animation, and workshops that offer inside information about the film and television industries. Since its founding, the Center's scholarship projects have awarded more than $500,000 in equipment, in-kind services and resources to deserving film students and independent filmmakers.