The Power of Creating Our Own Media with Maori Holmes

Today's History Story: She Refused To Play Their Racist Game

The first great Black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux inspired the 70s revolution of urban dramas and comedies that served as the launchpad for the gritty hip-hop action pieces and soulful family romances of the 80s and 90s. Today, the Black experience is the face of billion-dollar movie franchises and multiple award-winning and groundbreaking series. Black people all around the globe are claiming the rights to our culture and our heritage and streaming our stories across the planet. Is this a Black Renaissance, or is it just dues being paid? Our guest, Maori Holmes, has thoughts on that and more.

Maori Holmes is the founder and creative director of the Black Star Film Festival. BlackStar creates the spaces and resources needed to uplift the work of Black artists outside the confines of genre. They elevate artists who are overlooked, invisibilized, or misunderstood and celebrate the broad spectrum of aesthetics, storytelling, and experiences that they bring.

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Black History Year (BHY) is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school and explore pathways to liberation with people who are leading the way. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.

The BHY production team includes Tareq Alani, Brooke Brown, Tasha Taylor, and Lilly Workneh. Our producers are Cydney Smith, Len Webb for PushBlack, and Ronald Younger, who also edits the show. Black History Year’s executive producers are Mikel Elcessor for Limina House and Julian Walker for PushBlack.

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