Our mission is to use collective resources to support organizations that ignite creativity, drive innovation, and build community in order to achieve a more positive, equitable, and meaningful experience for all.
This year, we’re thrilled to continue our commitment to supporting the next generation of creative talent through our Juneteenth initiative. Building on a tradition first started by Pond5, a Shutterstock company, we’re honored to donate $10,000 to Black Public Media and $10,000 to Black Women Photographers, two organizations leading the charge in increasing access and opportunity so that Black creatives can thrive.
Black Public Media
Black Public Media is dedicated to nurturing visionary storytellers and amplifying narratives that celebrate the global Black experience. Through investments in groundbreaking films and providing essential resources and funding, they’re making a tangible difference on a national scale.
Images courtesy of Black Public Media.
In addition to our donation, we’re excited to announce our partnership with them to launch the Office Hours program, providing a supportive space for independent media makers to collaborate and grow together.
As we embark on an exciting new partnership with Shutterstock, Black Public Media is glad to have them join our efforts to amplify the rich tapestry of Black stories—and to invest in the professional development of visionary content creators.
Through this partnership, the brilliance of Black stories will continue to shine brightly and resonate globally, fostering a future where diverse media is not just a goal, but a reality.
Leslie Fields-Cruz, Executive Director at Black Public Media
Black Women Photographers
Our other 2024 recipient is Black Women Photographers, a group that’s built a global community to reshape the narrative that Black creatives are hard to discover and commission.
Images courtesy of Black Women Photographers.
Founded by Polly Irungu, it’s dedicated to giving Black women the recognition and opportunities they deserve. From showcasing their work to providing essential connections within the industry, Black Women Photographers is leveling the playing field and equipping their members with the tools they need to succeed.
Shutterstock will continue to partner with the organization to introduce their collective to stock and other opportunities in our industry.
Talent has never been the issue for Black creatives. The problems have always stemmed from a lack of opportunity and a lack of access to resources and tools that would be essential to a creative career. It’s for those reasons and others that we made it our mission since launching in 2020 to equip our members with the educational programming, tangible resources, and opportunities they have not received on this scale to level the playing field in an industry where they have been overlooked for so long.
Thanks to Shutterstock’s generous support, we are providing a unique opportunity for members to take advantage of the world of stock photography and create additional opportunities for them to be hired and paid for their work.
Polly Irungu, Founder of Black Women Photographers
We support these organizations because we understand the transformative power of creativity in building a more just world. Through initiatives like these under our social impact program Lens for Change, we continue to drive positive social impact in our communities.
Other Black Creative Communities to Explore
- Umber: A visual journey of Black representation through art, composition, and typography.
- Made in Her Image: Created to empower young women and non-binary youth—especially those of color—in the fields of film, media, and technology.
- #Blkcreatives: A digital collective that serves the advancement of the Black community through resources, aid, and a general concern for the wellness of the Black creator.
- UnderRepresented Podcast: Podcasters Calvin Buchanan and Cornel Beard move you through a world of design through the Black perspective.
