The Black Women Film Network (BWFN) was founded to increase the numbers of women of all cultures in the film industry and related areas. The organization seeks to preserve the voice of Black women, and unheard part of Black History, through programs that empower and educate.
The Black Women Film Network was established in 1997 for the sole purpose of preserving the voice of Black women through film. The organization provides scholarships to students who are actively pursuing a career in film, screenwriting or a related areas; screenings; workshops and seminars, and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit group. Support to women who are trying to make a career in film is a primary goal of the organization. Annually, the group salutes those who have excelled in this difficult industry. The works of black women on film can be an inspiration and teaching tool for us all, a valuable means for capturing an often unheard of part of Black History. BWFP seeks to preserve that voice.
Deidre McDonald |
Founder Sheryl Riley Gripper is Vice President/Community Relations for WXIA-TV, (an NBC affiliate owned by Gannett). She founded the Black Women Film Network in 1997 to celebrate the history of women in film and increase the numbers of women of all cultures in the film industry and related areas. Mrs. Gripper has over 30 years of experience in newspaper, radio and television.
Sheryl is a multi-Emmy Award winner.The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the organization that awards the Emmys, saluted her with the Silver Circle Award in 2001 for a career spanning more than 25 years in television. In 2000 she was awarded an M. A. Degree from Georgia State University in Film and Video. USA TODAY featured her as an Ortho 21st Century Woman, designating her as one of the women who can lead America into the 21st century. Dollars and Sense magazine honored her as one of America’s Top 100 Black Business and Professional Women, to name a few.
Deidre McDonald serves as the Black Women Film Network Board Chairman. She is an award winning producer, writer and educator. During the course of her broadcasting career she created programs centered on social and cultural issues. Formerly Senior Producer for Programs and Projects for WXIA-TV, (an NBC affiliate owned by Gannett), she produced and wrote documentaries and features that were shot locally, nationally and internationally.
She has served on county and city arts grants panels as well as the Boards of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences/Atlanta Chapter, Women in Film and Television, Youth Ensemble of Atlanta and the Black Women Film Network. Currently she is a consultant focusing on media production projects and event planning.