Despite our undeniable influence on culture, Black creatives remain vastly underrepresented in the positions that hold power in film, television, and media. While African Americans make up nearly 13% of the U.S. population, only 6.2% of film directors and 5.2% of writers are Black. Fewer than 1% hold executive leadership positions in major studios. Too often, we are the face — but not the force behind the lens. We are the talent — but not the owners of the script, the budget, or the boardroom.

Ink the Future Foundation is rewriting that reality. We exist to empower the next generation of Black storytellers — not just to participate in the arts, but to own, lead, and distribute the stories that shape the world. Through scholarships, mentorship, grants, and immersive creative labs, we provide underrepresented youth with the tools and opportunities to become screenwriters, directors, animators, and producers — on their terms.

We’ve shaped the culture. Now we claim the credits.