About Us

I founded the Black Independent Filmmakers Association because I believe our stories deserve to be told, preserved and owned by us.

Storytelling has always been part of our cultural inheritance. For generations, stories connected young people to their ancestors, their history and the experiences that shaped their communities. Today, film gives us another powerful way to continue that tradition.

Black independent filmmakers possess extraordinary stories and creative talent, but they do not always have access to the platforms, resources and opportunities necessary to bring their work before an audience. I wanted to help create a place where those filmmakers could be seen, supported and connected with one another.

I also wanted BIFA to invest in young people. It is not enough to celebrate the storytellers who are working today. We must help prepare the writers, directors, actors, producers and creative leaders who will tell our stories tomorrow.

During the early development of the idea, I discussed the vision with my father-in-law, Reverend William A. “Bill” Lawson. We sat at the kitchen table and talked about social justice, community involvement and the importance of developing young minds. He responded favorably and told me that it was something we needed to implement. He also gave me permission to use the WALIPP logo and offered his support as I began putting the organization together.

That encouragement meant a great deal to me, but the responsibility to build BIFA was mine. I began doing the work of transforming an idea into an organization.

My wife, Cheryl, has supported that work quietly and without seeking a title. Her assistance with fundraising, relationship-building and engagement with young filmmakers has helped BIFA continue moving forward.

Today, BIFA is becoming the platform I envisioned: a place where independent filmmakers can share their work, where our history can be preserved and where young creative minds can begin developing their voices.

We honor Reverend Bill and Audrey Lawson through the annual Bill and Audrey Lawson Legacy Award, but BIFA’s continuing responsibility is expressed through the work itself—supporting filmmakers, developing young people and ensuring that our stories have somewhere to live.

That is why I founded BIFA.

We Own Our Stories.