Black art is forever

Blacktag set out to address a gap in the creator economy: while Black creators shape culture globally, they’re often excluded from funding, mentorship, and ownership pathways.

To bridge that gap, we launched Black Art Is Forever, a creator grant program that provided filmmakers with production funding, mentorship, and national visibility. Developed in partnership with Johnnie Walker and Kenya Barris, the program was designed as both a cultural investment and a scalable brand model.

How It Worked

  • Conducted focus groups with Black creators and filmmakers to identify consistent needs: funding, mentorship, and visibility. These insights formed the foundation for a program that paired tangible support with brand partnership.

  • Built a dedicated platform to source and review submissions. From hundreds of applicants, five filmmakers were selected to receive grants, production mentorship, and marketing support.

  • Delivered five short films, a showcase event, and a content campaign profiling the filmmakers. The work amplified their voices while connecting them with audiences and future brand partners.

What It Did

  • Attracted Blacktag’s first major brand partnership with Johnnie Walker, scaling the Creator Grant Program into a long-term model.

  • Each filmmaker received personalized mentorship from Kenya Barris and other industry leaders across production and creative marketing.

  • Positioned Blacktag as a credible bridge between creators and brands—delivering measurable value for both, while setting a precedent for equity-driven creative investment.

The Bigger Picture

What began as a grassroots initiative to support emerging Black filmmakers evolved into a blueprint for how brands can authentically invest in culture. By centering creators and their communities, Black Art Is Forever proved that cultural storytelling and brand strategy can create lasting social and commercial impact.