Invites you to THE
4TH Annual
BLACK FILM SPACE AWARDS
A Fundraiser & Ceremony Honoring Black Trailblazers in Film and TV
Join us for an unforgettable night of recognition and community that will help us continue to create pathways for Black creatives in film and media.
This year, we honor 10 remarkable professionals in celebration of our 10 years of service to Black filmmakers and content creators.
Tuesday, December 9th
5:30pm to 9pm
Manhattan Neighborhood Network
New York, NY
Attire: Creative Cocktail
Your ImpacT
Black Film Space provides affordable workshops, mentorship opportunities, grants, and other resources that empower Black filmmakers to thrive in an industry where they are often underrepresented.
Attendance and sponsorships directly support our programs and allows us to improve the careers of Black filmmakers through skill-enhancing and community-building programs.
Black Film Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; sponsorships are tax-deductible.
HONORING
VISIONARY
Dawn Porter
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Dawn Porter is an acclaimed American documentary filmmaker and founder of Trilogy Films, known for her storytelling on social justice, history, and cultural icons. Her celebrated documentaries, including Trapped, John Lewis: Good Trouble, and The Lady Bird Diaries, air on platforms like HBO, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, CNN, PBS and others.Her recent work, Luther: Never Too Much, highlights the life and legacy of Luther Vandross. Produced with Sony Music Entertainment, Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole, and Colin Firth’s Raindog Films, this intimate portrayal of the Grammy-winning artist was recently released in theaters and premiered on CNN/MAX on January 1, 2025.
Porter’s achievements are widely recognized. A three-time Sundance film festival Alum, her film Gideon's Army was nominated for an Emmy and an Independent Spirit Award and won the prestigious Ridenhour Prize as well as the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award. Trapped also earned a Silver Gavel, as well as a Peabody Award and the Sundance Special Jury Prize for Social Impact Filmmaking, while John Lewis: Good Trouble won the 2021 NAACP Image Award. She received the Critics' Choice Impact Award in 2022 and Gracie Awards in both 2022 and 2023. Recently, Porter was awarded the National Humanities Medal by former President Joe Biden, elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and received the IDA Career Achievement Award.
Porter’s series work has found similar success. Her Netflix series Bobby Kennedy for President was met with critical acclaim, and her series Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court was nominated for an Independent Spirit award and an Emmy. The 2024 MSNBC series, The Sing Sing Chronicles is a finalist for the Silver Gavel Award and winner of the Gracie Award for best documentary series. The series offers unprecedented access to Sing Sing Correctional Facility, providing a raw look at justice and redemption. A former attorney, Porter holds a BA in Political Science from Swarthmore College, and a law degree from Georgetown Law. Known for elevating marginalized voices and illuminating U.S. history’s lesser-known stories, she is a prominent figure in documentary filmmaking residing in New York City with her husband and children.
DAY ONE
Dallas Rico
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Dallas Rico is originally from — you guessed it — Dallas, TX. The cowboy hats he wears every day probably give it away. He spent several years as a high school Spanish teacher in Los Angeles and New York City while honing his voice as a writer. His work nimbly moves between comedy and drama, and through it, he seeks to celebrate Black, queer, and cowboy culture. A self-proclaimed hopeFUL romantic, love stories naturally sneak into everything he writes. Dallas sold his pilot LESSONS to NBC and, through the Disney Writing Program, was staffed as a writer on Hulu’s REASONABLE DOUBT, where he wrote and produced the second season finale.
SAVANT
Nikole
Hannah-Jones
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Nikole Hannah-Jones is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter covering racial injustice for The New York Times Magazine and creator of the landmark The 1619 Project, now a Hulu original docuseries.Originally a special project of The New York Times Magazine, The 1619 Project book debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list. Nikole also co-wrote a children's book, called Born on the Water, which also debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list. The 1619 Project is now a six-part docuseries streaming on Hulu and won the Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
Nikole is a believer in Black institutions, and is the co-founder of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting at Morehouse College and founder of the 1619 Freedom School in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa, and the Center for Journalism & Democracy at Howard University, where she is the Knight Chair in Race and Journalism.
Nikole lectures all over the U.S. and across the globe on the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and its legacy, including giving a speech before the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 during the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
MAVERICK
TO BE ANNOUNCED
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
PRODIGY
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
ADVOCATE
TO BE ANNOUNCED
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
TRAILBLAZER
TO BE ANNOUNCED
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
ICON
TO BE ANNOUNCED
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
UP NEXT
TO BE ANNOUNCED
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
LEGEND
TO BE ANNOUNCED
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
5:30pm COCKTAIL RECEPTION
6:00 pM Awards Begin
8:00pm Mixing & Mingling
Run of ShoW
AWARDS HOST
Actress, host, and body positive advocate, RaVal Davis is the go-to-girl for smart and engaging discourse around body positivity, beauty, wellness, and women’s issues. Davis also pontificates on the intersections of race, gender and entertainment.
A sought after speaker, host and all around valued talent, The CNN Op-ed contributor packages her honest yet feminine opinions with grace and style. She is the host of BET’s Don’t Touch My Hair talk show--a topical series that addresses the concerns of black women. Davis is also a published writer who has penned pieces for CNN, Essence, Nylon, The Huffington Post, EBONY, The Grio, VIBE, and many more. Moreover, RaVal recently co-starred on CBS’ FBI Most Wanted and will costar on the upcoming season of Starz’ Power Book II: Ghost. Additionally, as a speaker and host, Davis has graced the stages of Essence Fest, The National Urban League, Blog Her, The Great Girlfriend's Conference and Ambassador Con. Hosting Samsung's official 2018 Oscar viewing was a special career highlight. The Rutgers University graduate has also played co-host alongside Wendy Williams for the Lifetime Network as well as made appearances on Essence Live, CW 11 news, The Wendy Williams Show and many other platforms. She champions women wherever she goes and is passionate about people finding and living their purpose. Her recent philanthropic work with both The Precious Dreams Foundation and Covenant House bring her great joy.
RAVAL DAVIS
HOST Committee
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Co-Founder
Reggie is a comedic screenwriter/director and the co-founder of Black Film Space, a non-comedic non-profit.
In 2019 he wrote and directed a short film entitled an anomalous love, a romantic comedy about a Black atheist age gap relationship. an anomalous love screened at the Urban World Film Festival, the Pan African Film Festival and the Roxbury Film Festival.
Most recently, Williams wrote and co-directed a comedic web series entitled Regular Negroes about five roommates in their 30's who struggle to level up in life.
Regular Negroes won best comedic web series at Black Web Fest, was a finalist at the Charlotte Black Film Festival and Runner Up at the Denton Black Film Festival.
Born and raised in Boston, Williams graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Writing For Film & TV. During this time Williams performed at major comedy clubs in New England such as The Comedy Studio and The Providence Comedy Connection, organized shows at Emerson and wrote for Comedy Central.
Williams is committed to humanizing Black characters in his work through comedy and romance.
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Co-FounderLande Yoosuf is a Nigerian-American novelist, screenwriter, filmmaker and co-founder of Black Film Space. She has 15 years of production, development and casting experience in non-fiction programming, and has worked with several networks, including MTV, A&E Networks, NBC, WEtv, and Bravo.
Her short film, “Privilege Unhinged”, screened at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, Big Apple Film Festival, the DC Black Film Festival, aired on AMC’s Shorts TV and was a finalist for “Insecure” star Jean Elie’s short film contest under his company banner, Bassett House.
Yoosuf’s second film, “Second Generation Wedding” screened at the Bronze Lens Film Festival, Black Girls Rock! Film Festival, and inspired the novel, “Ko-Foe.” She has an affinity for telling stories that explore media influence, sociology, gender/race relations, pop culture and self-image themes.
Lande is currently developing a mixed slate of feature films, documentaries and television pilots through her production company, One Scribe Media.
Yoosuf directed Antu Yacob’s dramatic short film “Love in Submission”, which screened at the Afrikana Film Festival, Noire Film Festival and the New York African Film Festival. The film was accepted into the “Emerging Black Filmmaker Film Collection”, screened in over 60 theaters throughout the country, and was part of a diversity case study discussion about Hollywood at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
As Co-founder and Partnerships Director of Black Film Space, Lande works to contribute to expanded control, ownership and media management for content creators of African descent across all cinematic formats and content platforms. She served as a host, workshop facilitator, speaker and moderator for events with organizations like ARRAY, HBO, ABFF, BAM’s New Voices in Black Cinema, The Root and many others. Her speaking engagements received coverage from outlets such as The New York Times.
Lande earned a Bachelors of Arts from Brooklyn College in Television and Radio, and honed her writing skills through classes taught by Jackson Taylor, the Associate Director at The New School’s Graduate Writing Program. In her spare time, she loves to sing, read, travel and spend time with her loved ones. She reps her Nigerian background proudly and holds down her hometown, the world-famous republic of Brooklyn, New York.
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Board MemberStanley Delva is an artist and arts administrator who is deeply committed to uplifting and supporting the arts; his passion lies in supporting emerging filmmakers, artists, and small businesses through fundraising. As an artist and storyteller, he believes in fostering an equitable community and securing resources for historically marginalized people to better challenge dominant narratives. Stanley's artistic practice encompasses writing, filmmaking, photography, and curation. His fundraising and development experience includes work with organizations such as El Museo del Barrio, Cool Culture, Film-Maker’s Coop, and Brooklyn Arts Council. He actively supports arts funding through grant writing and has served as a grant panelist for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), New York City’s Department for Cultural Affairs (DCLA), and the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC). A Brooklyn bred, native New Yorker of Haitian descent, Stanley cherishes the Caribbean heritage seen across the city and has received a Bachelor's degree in English and African American Studies from Brooklyn College and a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from CUNY School of Professional Studies.
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Mia is a Black filmmaker and media visionary with a passion for hosting events and empowering others through educational experiences. With a professional background spanning education, administration, communications, film, and media, she brings a unique blend of creativity and leadership to every project. Mia is thrilled to collaborate with the Black Film Space community and contribute to its mission of supporting Black storytellers.
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Lenea ‘Nia’ Key resides between Virginia Beach and Brooklyn, New York where she writes and directs short films, teaches yoga on the beach, and creates consistently. As a recovering teacher, stand up comedian, and member of Issa Rae’s Daughters Comedy Sketch Team, she can handle anything you throw her way with laughter and grace!
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Board Member
Roland Kennedy, Jr., is director of grants management of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Prior to joining the Corporation, Kennedy led special projects and operations and served as internal liaison at Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative. During his time there, he helped transform a set of presidential campaign policies into a new philanthropic program focused on civic and economic justice for Black Americans, including accelerating the pace of wealth accumulation. Earlier for Bloomberg’s grants team, he led planning and operations for data governance projects and grant-making portfolios for education, Bloomberg Connects, and Founder’s Projects.
His earlier work experience at the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, Democracy Fund, and Democracy Fund Voice included 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) grant-making for effective U.S. and international governance practice, media and journalism, international peace, and atrocity prevention, as well as a focus on elections and voting issues.
Kennedy earned his MS in international relations from Northeastern University and BA in global affairs from Villanova University.
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Sharra Dade is the founder of I Coach Stars (icoachstars.com), a coaching and consulting brand that helps actors of all ages build confidence, refine their craft, and navigate the entertainment industry with clarity and strategy. With a professional background in communications, she brings a unique blend of performance training and personal branding to every session. Her clients have landed roles in major productions, including primetime and streaming television shows, feature films, animated series, and on Broadway. Sharra specializes in audition prep, on-camera technique, voice-over training, and showbiz consulting, skillfully guiding families through the business side of the industry. Known for her heart-led, no-fluff approach, she instills lasting confidence in her clients and empowers them to take bold, strategic steps toward long-term success.
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Board Member
Ms. Johnson has extensive experience in the areas of global philanthropy, public policy, healthcare and higher education. She has over fifteen years of experience advocating for the needs of underrepresented and raising funding globally to support society's greatest needs. Ms. Johnson is passionate about connecting corporations and individuals to social causes that matter most to them to help them accomplish their philanthropic goals.
She previously served as Senior Development Officer at Freedom House, a global non-profit that strengthens, and defends democracy worldwide through programs that support frontline activists, research, and advocacy. We are leaders in identifying threats to civil liberties and political rights, and never in our 80-year history has our work mattered more. This role leads the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities of major gifts for a portfolio of 75-100 prospects which includes individuals and corporations.
Ms. Johnson completed her Master of Science in Higher Education at Drexel University. She also received her undergraduate degree from Drexel University where she majored in International Area Studies, & minored in Africana Studies. One of her most memorable pastimes includes participating in study abroad programs. In the past, Ms. Johnson has conducted research in Ghana, Brazil, Costa Rica and continuously aspires to travel and learn about the commonalities that exist between different cultures.
Prior to working at UNCF, Ms. Johnson has extensive experience in the field of intercultural engagement, law, and government. Her most memorable job experiences include working at the United Nations in New York City, and City Council in Philadelphia, and the New York State Unified Court System in New York. She is extremely passionate about the needs of underrepresented minorities and aspires to follow a career path that connects individuals and corporations to philanthropic causes that matter.
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Tabria Brooks is a New York based Creative Producer. With 5+ years of experience in television and film, she brings a wealth of expertise in the production space. Tabria’s interests lie in scripted & non scripted television, production, and community building.
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Board MemberArtesia Balthrop is a Brooklyn-bred storyteller and creative process manager whose career spans television, docu-series, branded content, and independent film. She has worked across flagship networks, boutique shops, and with independent filmmakers—bringing ideas to life everywhere from cable TV studios to music agencies and cultural institutions. Her credits include Eyes on the Prize: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest (HBO), Hell of a Week with Charlamagne Tha God (Comedy Central), Essence Festival and Essence.com’s award-winning digital content, JAY-Z’s viral Where I’m From documentary on the opening of Barclays Center, and the HBO-licensed short African Booty Scratcher (dir. Nikyatu Jusu). She has also led branded campaigns for Beats by Dre, L’Oréal, and New Balance, and produced cultural events such as Juneteenth in Queens.
Artesia currently consults with labels and indie artists on content strategy, helping them design rollouts and creative ecosystems that amplify their work. She also collaborates with independent filmmakers to build production pipelines that move projects from vision to screen.
She also teaches, ensuring the knowledge she has amassed flows to the next generation of storytellers and creative thinkers. A graduate of Duke University and Brooklyn Friends School, Artesia builds her projects on values of simplicity, equality, and community, always centering the connective power of story.
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Lisa Durden, p.g.a., is an award-winning filmmaker and passionate storyteller committed to centering the narratives of underserved communities. She is the Founder of Lisa Durden Unlimited Productions, a multimedia company amplifying voices often silenced or ignored. Her impressive body of work includes producing the ABC 20/20 documentary ‘Diary of a Killer’ and serving as Supervising Story Producer of Hulu’s Telly Award-winning, GLAAD-nominated series ‘The Conversations Project.’ She was Assistant Director of Verizon’s PSA ‘Conversations With Mom,’ and Producer of the award-winning PBS short ‘Paris Blues in Harlem.’ Durden Co-Produced the acclaimed film ‘TITLE VII,’ Conceived and Produced the live Twitter chat for PBS’s “Maya Angelou Film,’ and was formerly the Broadcast Manager for Black Public Media’s AfroPoP series. She also served as Associate Producer of PBS’s ‘Soul Food Junkies’ and the Peabody, Emmy, and NAACP Image Award-nominated Sundance Channel docu-series ‘Brick City 1’ amongst others.Ms. Durden recently earned her MFA in Social Documentary Film, from the School Of Visual Arts, with her sights set on teaching the next generation of content creators.
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Christine Pluviose, Education Senior Coordinator at Reel Works, oversees all after-school program workshops, and manages both Film School Friday Tutoring and the Mentorship Program. She's a Brooklyn College graduate in Film Production with experience in screenwriting and directing. Christine's writing explores themes such as the Black Caribbean experience, mental health, and interpersonal dynamics.
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Lexis is a Brooklyn, NY native, born and raised in one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities in the world. As an actor, she has performed with several theatre companies, including the Arden Theatre, Brooklyn Player's Theatre, and Narrows Theatre. Her film work includes starring roles in Silent Combustion and A Child Again, both of which were featured in numerous film festivals such as the New York Short Film Festival, Williamsburg Film Festival, Women of African Descent Film Festival, and the Hip Hop Film Festival.
