The Interledger Community 🌱: Victoria Coker

Examining the Factors Behind Unbanked Households in America — ILF Ambassador Final Report

Victoria Coker — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 20:56:48 +0000

As one of the 2024 Interledger Community Ambassadors, my project has evolved and expanded. Before starting, I recognized that access to technology was not the only reason people in the United States remained unbanked and underbanked. I proposed a project to explore the key factors contributing to millions of households being unbanked and underbanked in the U.S.

To inform my research, I leveraged data from the "2021 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households" and then selected three cities with the largest populations of unbanked households: Mississippi, which had the highest unbanked population at 11.1%; New Orleans, with 8.1%; and the New York (Tri-State) area, at 5.9%. According to the same report, across income levels, Black and Brown households were nearly three times more likely to be unbanked compared to their white counterparts. This statistic motivated me to focus my research predominantly on Black and Brown communities.

To refine my focus further, I decided to avoid the complex issues faced by formerly incarcerated individuals and undocumented individuals. While these groups encounter a variety of unique challenges that deserve careful consideration, I felt it was best to concentrate on different aspects for the purposes of this project.

The Process
My goal was to create a documentary showcasing the key factors that prevent individuals from having access to banking services in the United States. I identified five key challenges that unbanked populations face: financial literacy, the digital divide, low wages and unemployment, banking deserts, and financial trauma. Then, I looked to interview individuals based on their experience with the subject matter, including financial institutions, economic development organizations, and industry experts. I began by conducting outreach to various contacts in the three cities. I had the opportunity to interview individuals from a Mississippi-based law firm that supports unbanked populations and a representative from an organization that is helping solve the digital divide in the Appalachians.

My first public interview was with Sheena Allen( who has since become a 2025 Interledger Ambassador). Sheena has a breadth of experience in the financial services industry; she founded the fintech Capway. She is also a Mississippi native who understands the complex landscape and why it remains the largest population of unbanked households in the United States. Recently, I interviewed Dr. LaTanya White about financial trauma. Dr. White is a scholar-practitioner and the founder of Concept Creative Group.

Although my final output is not a documentary, I will be sharing those interviews as a part of a podcast series showcasing my research and providing a deeper understanding of why individuals are unbanked in the United States.

Mentoring the Next Generation of Ambassadors
This year, Interledger started a mentorship program to help onboard the newest cohort of ambassadors. I was able to support Caroline Sinders, who is currently working on a project titled By Design? The Hidden Harms Within Banking Apps. I believe that having ambassadors pass the torch and support each other fosters a stronger community and potentially better outcomes because of the deeper network it creates.

Presenting at HBCU Engage
This spring, I attended the HBCU Engage Conference in North Carolina, where I was joined by Julaire Hall, the Interledger Program Officer, Dr. Andrew Mangle, a professor at Bowie State University, and Sheena Allen. During the conference, I had the opportunity to discuss the Interledger Foundation and share information about the Interledger-NextGen Higher Education Program.

Participating in the conference allowed me to gain insight into how higher education institutions develop new initiatives. Staff from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) came from across the country to attend, many seeking innovative ways to support their organizations amid financial cuts. While numerous HBCUs expressed interest in the Interledger-NextGen program, a prominent challenge emerged: they need assistance in integrating Interledger's technology into their curriculum. Professors who wish to implement a program like Interledger-NextGen also need to get buy-in within their organizations effectively.

Attending the 2025 Inclusiv Conference
I also attended the Inclusiv Conference in April. Inclusiv is a 50-year-old non-profit organization that operates a network of credit unions, with a primary mission of promoting community development and financial inclusion. It is the only certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) exclusively dedicated to investing in the community development credit union movement.

The conference provided an in-depth learning experience about CDFIs and credit unions. CDFIs help promote access to capital and support local economic growth in both urban and rural low-income communities by offering a variety of services, including banking and loans. These institutions are often community-led and focus on helping underserved communities gain access to essential financial services.

The work of CDFIs aligns closely with Interledger's mission. I see great potential for collaboration between Interledger and CDFIs in the future and have recommended that the Interledger Foundation explore ways to partner with them.

What’s Next?
The completion of my ambassadorship is not the end of my work with the Interledger Foundation; I will continue to support initiatives and programs and help create pathways to increase financial inclusion in the United States. Please stay on the lookout for my two upcoming podcast episodes for Interledger's "Future Money" podcast, featuring interviews with Sheena Allen and Dr. LaTanya White.

Final Thoughts
This ambassadorship has been so fulfilling, and I'm excited for what's next. I want to thank the Interledger Foundation team, especially Lawil Karama, Ayesha Ware, and Chris Lawrence, who continue to provide support to ambassadors and create a safe space to explore, learn, and grow.

If you want to learn more about my journey as an ambassador, please check out these previous reports:

Victoria Coker — ILF Ambassador Progress Report

Victoria Coker — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 23:21:31 +0000

Project Update

Since launching my project, "Examining the Factors Behind Unbanked Households in America," in April, I have been actively researching and reaching out to potential leads. The project started slowly, so I decided to extend the timeline to explore new avenues and connect with the right people on the ground in key locations, specifically Mississippi and New Orleans. I received my first significant lead through a referral after I posted about the project on LinkedIn. This led to a Zoom meeting with a nonprofit law firm in Mississippi that supports underserved communities. The preliminary interview provided great insights, revealing the ongoing struggles faced by communities in the U.S. and the reasons behind them.

I am using the 2021 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households as the centerpiece of my work, which prompted me to identify a specific group of individuals from particular communities. This presented a significant challenge, primarily since most of my outreach was conducted online. My biggest breakthrough came when I connected with Sheena Allen, the founder of CapWay and Sheena Allen Apps. While I have conducted numerous interviews, Sheena is the first official interviewee secured for the documentary. She will also be featured in the upcoming "Future Money" podcast series and was a highlighted presenter at a workshop I led during the Interledger Summit 2024. The workshop received positive feedback, with many attendees expressing that they learned valuable information from the session.

I learned that building trust is an integral part of doing this work. As a part of my project, I wanted to dig deeper into why this issue impacted Black and Latino communities more than their white counterparts. These communities are often disenfranchised and more complicated to reach. I found that referrals and LinkedIn Navigator have been the most effective ways to initiate conversations and breakthrough barriers.

Community Support

Presenting my work at the Summit was a great experience. I not only shared what I have learned but also discussed my struggles, providing a deeper insight into the work I am doing. As a result, I've connected with people in the community willing to introduce me to individuals in their networks. This experience has motivated me to continue sharing brief monthly updates via Slack, informing the community about my progress.

What's Next

What’s next for me? I am currently working on additional podcast episodes to facilitate deeper conversations with the experts featured in the documentary. Over the next few months, I plan to capture more footage to complete the project. My goal is to create an informative and engaging documentary that helps audiences understand why over 5.9 million people are unbanked in America.

Victoria Coker: Community Ambassador Examining the Factors Behind Unbanked Households in America

Victoria Coker — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:31:36 +0000

I want to reintroduce myself to old friends and introduce myself to new friends in the Interledger community. I am Victoria Coker, the 2024 Interledger Foundation Community Ambassador. I have been a part of the ecosystem since 2021; in 2022, I was a grant recipient of the Grant for The Web for a project I led through my organization, Black Web Fest. I also have had the privilege of speaking at the last two summits.

I am passionate about social impact and mission-driven work. As I mentioned previously, my experience with the Interledger Foundation has been through my work as the founder of Black Web Fest, a non-profit that celebrates and amplifies the voices of Black creatives and entrepreneurs. I am a multidisciplinary artist, software engineer, and marketer.

Most of my work has a thorough line of fighting for economic justice for underrepresented communities, directly correlating with Interledger's long-standing mission to build equity and inclusion. My ambassadorship project is heavily focused on this topic. During my ambassadorship, I will explore three US states with large populations of unbanked people: Mississippi, Louisiana (New Orleans), and New York. According to the 2021 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households, Mississippi has the highest rate of unbanked households at 11.1%. The same report identified New Orleans as having 8.1% of their households unbanked, and the New York Tri-State area has 5.9% unbanked households. The culmination of this research will be a documentary sharing the factors that cause these communities to have large unbanked populations in hopes of building awareness about this important issue and helping inform real solutions within the Interledger ecosystem. I will also work with local stakeholders in these communities to expand the Interledger Foundation network and increase financial literacy.

I have learned so much from the Interledger community and plan to educate others about Interledger's mission and the amazing work the community is doing to create more economic justice and financial inclusion. This is such a kind community, and I look to pay all the kindness forward and support others with questions, ideas, and projects. Please feel free to contact me; I am here to lend a helping hand.

BLACK WEB FEST 2023 - APR 28 -29TH

Victoria Coker — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 02:23:17 +0000

Hi all,

This April is our 7th annual festival -- Black Web Fest 2023. This year we are back in-person in Harlem. We will be screening films and series by emerging Black filmmakers. We will also be hosting educational panels that will cover different topics including grant funding, Web 3, and writing.

If you're in the NY tri-state come check out the festival April 28th - 29th at Heyground Harlem. Learn more about festival and get your tickets here: https://blackwebfest.org/bwf-2023/

Special thanks to @ericahargreave for lending her talents and acting as a judge for the second year in a row!

Black Web Fest Updates | Film Submissions | Game Jam

Victoria Coker — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:31:26 +0000

Black Web Fest is starting the year off strong with new programming. Part of our work is to increase diversity and inclusion in emerging media, entertainment and technology. We opened up our call for submissions for our 2023 festival (taking place in April). We are also hosting a Black History Month Game Jam for early career creators. Here's more info about both, please share with your network. We're also looking for sponsors. Thanks!!!

Black History Month Game Jam (New York)
Join us for our Black History Month game jam. We'll be celebrating by hosting a weekend-long event for underrepresented creators to come together and learn how to develop video games.

This event provides early-career and aspiring game developers with an opportunity to build a playable game, learn from industry experts and connect with their community. We will provide free food throughout the event and will be giving away prizes.

Creators of all skill levels are welcome to join.
This is an in-person event!

Would you like to be a mentor or volunteer? Please complete our volunteer form and we will get back to you:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOLmuzWUJ-q1IcW-pgvj04NKmj-IwPx96wZaj1zvqSBEEt9Q/viewform

Black Web Fest 2023 Film Submissions

Black Web Fest 2023 is a two-day festival where people from African diaspora unite to discover online shorts, web series, new media, and web industry trends.The festival connects these creatives with opportunities to showcase their creative work, learn new skills and network. During the festival attendees will be able to screen web series and films created by Black media makers. The festival will also feature informative panels with industry professionals, media makers, and actors.

Submit your films here: https://filmfreeway.com/BlackWebFest

2023 Grant & Funding List

Victoria Coker — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 19:28:35 +0000

I wanted to share some grant opportunities and will try to keep it updated as the year progresses. (Would you prefer monthly post?)

LIFT Labs Accelerators
The LIFT Labs Accelerators are open to startups at various stages in their entrepreneurial journeys, from pre-seed to enterprise-ready stages.This first program kicks off on May 22, 2023, in Philadelphia, where over the course of six weeks, startups will be introduced to leaders from across Comcast NBCUniversal - including Xfinity product, technology and customer experience teams; Universal Pictures; Universal Destinations & Experiences; Sky; Strategic Development and more – to gain more insight on the applications and opportunities around Generative AI.
Apply here: https://airtable.com/shrZXeM3cPzWyafFm

Black Women Talk Tech Pitch Competition at the Annual Roadmap to Billions
The Pitch Competition at the Annual Roadmap to Billions is back! Pitch submissions are open early, so register and apply now! With up to $20K in cash + prizes on the line, come prepared to pitch your tech or scalable startup to a panel of judges, 100+ investors, and 1,500 attendees. Over $30M in funding and counting has been invested into participating pitch competition finalists through curated investor connections.
Apply here: https://black-women-talk-tech.breezy.hr/p/5dcf729bb8e9-roadmap-to-billions-2023-pitch-competition

Papaya Grant
This International Women’s Day, we are so excited to launch The Papaya Grant, which will award $10,000 to one incredible and deserving female entreprenur. Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own business, or expanding the one you already have, we want to hear from you!
Apply here: https://www.papayareusables.com/pages/grant

Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub Investment Readiness Program
Microsoft for Startups is running our next cohort of the Investment Readiness Program. This program is designed to prepare early-stage startup founders for raising venture capital by connecting them with experienced VCs and exposing them to a variety of perspectives on fundraising best practices.

The next program cycle is for African startups. Your company must be headquartered in an African country to qualify. Applications are due by 24 February 2023.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=v4j5cvGGr0GRqy180BHbR20kGhyRH9VPuOo9CMqyEPxUQktFTDFEMzVYWDNRTTlYUlZKOEtISDhWMC4u

NAMIP’s Nigerian media Sustainability Challenge
Applications are now open for the Nigeria Media Innovation Program’s (NAMIP’s) Sustainability Challenge. Winners will be awarded up to $50,000 for their project and join NAMIP’s innovation and capacity building program that extends up till 2024.
Applications close Feb 28th
Apply here: https://www.mdif.org/applications-open-nigerian-media-sustainability-challenge/

35 Mules
Join the next innovative class of startups. 35 Mules third cohort applications are live from Feb. 1 to March 17. Get access to world-class facilities, subject matter experts, a $100,000 non-dilutive (no equity) cash grant and more.
Apply here: https://www.35mules.com/application.html

Metallic Fund
Offering grants, workshops, and mentorships to a wide variety of creatives in the community. Grants are awarded from £2,500 to a maximum of £20,000 per year, either as a one-off grant.
Apply here: https://metallicfund.com/

MIT Solve - Solver Award (Financial Inclusion)
All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.

The GSR Foundation Prize
GSR Foundation will award a prize to solutions that use innovative technology to address pressing issues in their communities and the world. Preference will be given to solutions that use blockchain to improve financial inclusion. The prize is funded by the GSR Foundation, an independent charity founded by GSR, a leading cryptocurrency trading firm. The Foundation seeks to advance education, promote equality of opportunity, and contribute to a sustainable world, emphasizing blockchain and innovative technology-powered solutions. Up to $200,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of Solve's 2023 Global Challenges.

The AI for Humanity Prize
The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $150,000 in funding will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of Solve’s 2023 Global Challenges.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT
May 9, 2023

Apply here: https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/financial-inclusion-challenge/custom/prizes#challenge-subnav-offset

Cisco Global Impact Cash Grant Program
//One category is Economic Development//
Our strategy is to invest in early stage, tech-enabled solutions that provide equitable access to the knowledge, skills, and resources that people need to support themselves and their families toward resilience, independence, and economic security.

Our goal is to support solutions that benefit individuals and families, and that contribute to local community growth and economic development in a sustainable economy.

We target our support in three interconnected areas:

Skills development to help job seekers secure dignified employment and long-term career pathways in technology or other sectors, including environmental sustainability/green jobs.
Inclusive entrepreneurship with small businesses as engines of local growth as well as high growth potential start-ups as large-scale job creators nationally and internationally, in technology or other sectors, including environment sustainability/green businesses.
Banking the unbanked through relevant and affordable financial products and capacity building services.

Award up to $75,000.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/csr/technology-for-good/economic-empowerment.html#~our-strategy

Chevrlot Dream Chaser
One winner will receive $100,000 and the use of a 2024 Trax — the small SUV with safety, innovative tech and big potential — for three months to help you keep chasing your dream while sharing your experiences on social media. So, if you think you have what it takes, enter today.
Apply by February 13th
https://www.chevrolet.com/fast-trax-your-future

FEDEX Small Business Grant
You’ve been all in for your business since day one. You’re always learning, always hustling, always striving for more. And with help from FedEx, you can go all out to drive your small business even further with a chance to win $30K from the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest.
Apply by January 31st
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grant-contest.html

CTIA Wireless Catalyst
Catalyst is a competitive grants program for ambitious social entrepreneurs using the power of 5G and leading edge wireless technologies to enhance our lives and address pressing challenges in American communities.

Up to six applicants will receive financial and non-financial benefits, with Catalyst awarding over $200,000 in unrestricted grants. Learn more in our Call for Submissions.
Deadline March 7th
https://www.wirelessfoundation.org/catalyst

Need help creating your proposal? The Interledger Foundation is now accepting applications for a Proposal Writing Bootcamp. Learn more here: https://community.interledger.org/interledger/proposal-writing-boot-camp-sponsored-by-interledger-foundation-5056

Victoria Coker — Travel Grant Report

Victoria Coker — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 19:58:50 +0000

Images

https://imgur.com/bC5inhg
https://imgur.com/BxIk5PY
https://imgur.com/3yGSoV8
https://imgur.com/ZWTAUMQ
https://imgur.com/H6v6fXU
https://imgur.com/Sjlzocq
https://imgur.com/bh3GHTk
https://imgur.com/oy3iB3l

Introduction

Hi, my name Victoria Coker, I am the founder of Black Web Fest, a native New Yorker, and an Interledger 2021 grantee. I was blessed to receive a travel grant to attend the ILP Summit. I wanted to attend to really connect with the community. I joined the community during the pandemic, so this was the opportunity to meet the creators and builders in person.

Key highlights about your participation at the Summit

Saturday, November 12th I took the stage with other grantees on a panel titled "Broadening Financial... what does that mean?" Sharon Wang led the panel and also featured Erica Hargreave, Andrés Arauz, and Karl Carter. Each panelist shared their experience and the need in their community for financial inclusion. The panel was a great conversation starter among other attendees. After I participated in a session "Life After the Grant". During the session, we had an open conversation on how to build sustainable organizations and shared resources.

Highlight your key takeaways from the Summit

The event began that night with a Welcome Reception and Demo Party. The conference was conveniently located in the hotel. Current grantees were set up throughout the hall with demos and materials about their work. I was delighted to learn about the unique projects from across the globe. The demos made it visible that Interledger is building infrastructure to make web monetization more accessible for the growing ecosystem.

Sunday was the final day of the conference. That day we took a group photo to memorialize the event. Erin Brown, Former Acting Chief Diversity Officer of the United States Agency for International Development, led a presentation titled "The 5Ps of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)". One slide stood out an image of two children watching a baseball game on milk crates. Erin used it to visualize why underserved communities may need equity over equality. It provided an illustration of how systematically oppressed communities need more support to reach success.

Another highlight for me was watching a session led by college seniors from Bowie State University, an HBCU (Historically Black Universities or Colleges) in Baltimore, Maryland. The Interledger Foundation funded an undergrad course with students exploring open payment technologies, digital financial systems and issues in eCommerce. Through the program, students were challenged to create businesses that leveraged web monetization technology. Briana shared that the Interledger Foundation would continue to support this program's progress with the HBCU.

I was surprised one of the participants, filmmaker and web developer Ivan Mbakop, from the Black Web Fest x Web Monetization program attended the conference. Watching the community welcome Ivan is one of the reasons I believe that the Interledger Foundation is fostering one of the most inclusive communities.

Let us know how you might be interested in participating in ILPSummit2023.

Next year, I would like to present a session or participate on other panels. It would be cool to lead a workshop as well. I am open to finding different ways to support the community, including getting other diverse creators and builders to attend.

What have you done post-Summit to showcase your participation in the Summit?

Post event I have shared my particpation on social media including my LinkedIn and Twitter account. I plan to continue the conversation about the work Interledger Foundation is doing and supporting the global community.

Any next steps and/or leads emanating from your participation at the Summit?

I connected with several members of the community, speakers, and attendees. I have reached out to a few of the contacts I made. I am also open to anyone who asks to connect with me, don't be shy. I plan on continuing to share resources and supporting others.

Black Web Fest X Web Monetization - Final Report

Victoria Coker — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 07:59:59 +0000

Hi,

I started the Black Web Fest x Web Monetization program to educate underrepresented creators about web monetization. In addition, we would create resources to help creators promote their work and gain visibility. Across this project, my initial plan would change.

The original idea was to award four filmmakers $5000 and provide marketing and digital pr courses to help grantees market their work. Early in the project, we realized we needed lawyers who specialized in sweepstakes and were registered to serve in New York. This delayed our start, and we had to shift funds from the marketing budget to pay for our legal services. This cut into our promotions which then impacted our info session attendance. I planned on hosting one general info session, but after seeing the low initial turnout, I decided to schedule two additional sessions.

Another part of the plan that shifted was how filmmakers monetize their work. Initially, we planned to work with a web-monetized video platform. As a partner, they would promote the filmmakers and their work. For an exclusive period of time, the filmmakers would solely feature their work on the platform. The idea behind this was to provide a clear metric for them to better understand web monetization opportunities. As the Founder of Black Web Fest, it's crucial that our community of creators has safe spaces to grow. Early on, the partner was not living up to their commitments. After some consideration, the platform no longer felt like the best option. So it was back to the drawing board with how our grantees would monetize their work.

Funding + Visibility
Although the program didn't start as expected, we still met our primary goal. We awarded 12 filmmakers grants ranging from $500 - $5000. We were able to fund additional filmmakers because we cut the animation category. In September, we announced our grantees in a nationally distributed press release via Cision PRNewswire. The release was also picked up by several publications, including the Associated Press: https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/technology-9f9065d77b50820c04818b66e3808b7d

After our first grant report, I followed up with Chris and Ayesha to reallocate the budget explaining our problems. I wanted to offer filmmakers the opportunity to monetize their work on their websites. (I later learned many of these independent filmmakers have a Squarespace site). They suggested the possibility of using YouTube as an alternative. They also connected me with Erica Hargreave. Erica was a wealth of knowledge and suggested we host a tipping party.

With their help in October, we hosted a tipping party on Hopin. The virtual platform allowed the ILF Community to watch the films from the comfort of their home and connect directly with the filmmakers on chat. Thirty-two people registered for our Tipping Party.

Half of the filmmakers awarded chose to set up one-on-ones with me to work through web monetization options. Only four enabled a payment pointer on their site or YouTube channel. We also gave filmmakers the option to forego their tips and instead give them to Black Web Fest.

YOU can still support these filmmakers by visiting their sites or channels. Here is a list of filmmakers who participated in the program and opted-in:
https://community.interledger.org/blackwebfest/emerging-black-filmmakers-to-watch-1gd1

Last month, we released the digital publicity course. We got the video transcribed to ensure it was more accessible. You can watch our intro to the digital publicity course here: https://youtu.be/OsWNbxdOxYg

Near the end of our program, we asked our grantees to share their feedback with a brief survey. This insight clarified what we could do better next time and the program's impact on our grantees and community. Here's a quote from one of our grantees:

"The most significant benefit I gained was from the contacts I have made, but most importantly, the benefit of understanding how I can monetize my existing projects as well as future projects I plan to produce."
– Yolanda T. Ross

Separately, we saw the impact through our grantees' social media posts. Conrad Khalil posted the image below on Instagram. This was a pivotal point in his career, the first funding he ever received for his work.

NEXT STEPS
I am still educating filmmakers about web monetization and planning one-on-one meetings for the weeks ahead. Our marketing video and web monetization videos are still in production. I will share them as soon as they are available.

Thank you to the Interledger team for your continued patience and support. Special thanks to Ayesha Ware and Erica Hargreave. Erica has gone above and beyond to support Black Web Fest. Ayesha has provided advice and filled in the gap when needed. You all have made a profound impact on the work we do and exemplify the true meaning of community.

Emerging Black Filmmakers to Watch

Victoria Coker — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 22:57:55 +0000

Through our program we were able to educate over 50 filmmakers about Web Monetization. We helped several filmmakers enable a payment pointer on their sites or video accounts. If you missed our tipping party and want to support these creators here are their direct links.

REAL MEN DON'T...: An exploration of modern manhood and masculinity.

REAL MEN DON'T... explores manhood and masculinity through society's taboos against male expressiveness. Funny, emotional and thoughtful, the film addresses many of the questions around the changing notions of what it means to be a man.

Director: Elton Loud

Tip Link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8antbXHAxtfmbGOmr9UJrA

Hide & Seek
A naughty kid finds a permanent hiding spot.

**Writer :Ajoke' Adebesin

Director: Mika Frank**

Tip Link:
https://youtu.be/z_rdYfviLLU

VICTUS
Ten years have passed since Dena, a young widow living in a rough Atlanta neighborhood, lost her husband. She has struggled to balance life and deal with the mysterious illness her teenage Ren has been fighting to overcome. When Adriel, an injured man, suddenly shows up on her doorstep one evening, she is forced to face her truths, and the circumstances of her life, as she learns there is more beyond this world than what we can possibly see.

**Writer & Director: Yolanda T. Ross

Director: Ivan Mbakop**

Tip Link:
https://mbakop.com/web/shorts/victus.html

More to come :) !

Attend Black Web Fest 2022

Victoria Coker — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 19:40:30 +0000

Hi,
Join us for our 6th annual festival, Black Web Fest 2022. During our event, we screen films from emerging Black filmmakers from across the globe, host panels and workshops with industry experts, and create a safe space for Black creators to connect. From Brooklyn to Brazil, we're screening films, web series, animation, and documentaries from Black filmmakers and creators. The event will take place two days. Day 1 is our free virtual event. Day 2 is our in-person event in Brooklyn, NY at the Roulette Intermedium. Here are the details for each. All are welcome :).

DAY 1
This year, our theme is cultivating the metaverse. We will be hosting panels about DAOs , the metaverse and beyond. We will also have a virtual speed networking session where can connect with other creators from across the globe. That evening will be screening indie films from emerging Black filmmakers.
GET TICKETS FOR DAY 1 HERE: https://bwf-2022-day-1.eventbrite.com/

DAY 2
During our in-person event we will screen films, web series and animation from talented Black filmmakers. We'll have a presentation from award-winning creators and the night will close with a reception.
GET TICKETS FOR DAY 2 HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-web-fest-2022-day-2-tickets-412799032017

Black Web Fest x Web Monetization - Grant Report #1

Victoria Coker — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 02:26:00 +0000

Hi,

Our project, Black Web Fest x Web Monetization, is focused on educating underrepresented creators about web monetization, creating additional video resources to help creators promote their work and gain visibility.

Before applying for the grant, I did some research and community outreach. The community outreach was extremely helpful. I got to learn about Interledger Foundation, Coil, and the community. Although I did research, I had some missteps with this project. I was not even a month in and had to submit a budget reallocation form and change of scope. My first hiccup was around legal. As part of the Interledger community, I saw New Media Rights' fantastic work and their offerings before receiving the grant. I didn't initially realize that Black Web Fest was out of their jurisdiction because we're a NY-based organization. Not shortly after receiving the grant, I connected with their team, who suggested I find a NY-based firm with contest and sweepstakes experience. So, I found a local firm open to working within the short turnaround time. Unfortunately, I estimated legal fees would be close to 1% of the project cost, but it actually cost near 10%. These agreements were essential because they not only protected Black Web Fest but ensured creators submitted their work and understood the rules of competition in advance. Reallocating these funds was a critical change to the success of the program. One of the key things I learned from working with the law firm was extending a contest outside of your country can be very nuanced because of taxes and local laws. We were limited to accepting submissions from the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec).

Communication and Marketing
As part of the budget reallocation, we decreased the marketing budget and eliminated the line item for a PR vendor. I wanted to put a larger amount toward marketing so we could reach a larger audience. With the remaining funding, we paid for a listing site to promote but fell behind on crafting a press release. We luckily utilized our community and strategic partners to promote the program, including the Interledger community 😊. Moving forward, I want the funding set aside for promoting the program to promote the winners in a press release. This would allow these underrepresented filmmakers to gain much-needed visibility.

Here is a list of some of the organizations that promoted our project :

Mogul Millennial https://startupfunding.mogulmillennial.com/item-detail/black-web-fest/r/recoiydVPaEs6FORE
Pick Up The Flow https://pickuptheflow.org/2022/05/05/black-web-fest-x-web-monetization-black-web-fest/
Fractured Atlas https://www.instagram.com/p/CeB6XFYua0a/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Another part of the project was to host an info session. This was an hour-long presentation over Zoom that educated creators about the program, our partner, and web monetization. After seeing attendance for the first info session, I changed it to three info sessions. We received over 50 sign-ups for the info sessions. The format allowed me directly speak with creators, answer their questions, ask for their feedback, and better educate them about web monetization. Many said they wanted a full demo of how to sign-up for web monetization and use different platforms. Each attendee received a free one-month Coil membership. I also sent attendees a follow-up email with additional resources from the web monetization community.

In late June, I caught Covid. I am grateful I recovered but being sick put our work behind two weeks. Unable to promote the program at that time, we decided to extend the submissions an additional week. In the end, we received 44 submissions. A few filmmakers submitted for multiple categories.

We also asked for $4,000 for funding to pay eight judges an honorarium. I was only able to secure one judge for each category. By only having four judges, we now have an excess of $2,000. We want to give this funding to four semi-finalists. This means more Black filmmakers would receive funding and support to promote and monetize their work.

In our original proposal, we planned to use an established partner in the web monetization ecosystem to promote and host our winners' work. Recently this partner has been unresponsive. Aside from hosting the filmmakers' work, they committed to promoting the work on their platform. At this time, I would not feel comfortable endorsing their platform or asking filmmakers to upload their work.

Key Activities

Developed Legal Agreements
Opened Submissions & Launched the Program
Created Promotional Materials and Promoted Across Channels
Hosted Three Info Sessions via Zoom
Sent Out Coil Memberships
Judged Submissions
Deployed a Feedback Survey

What's Next?
We are currently waiting to see if our scope change and budget reallocation are approved. This would allow us to award eight filmmakers instead of only four. We sent a feedback survey to all the creators who submitted films. Also, rerecord the info session to remove information about our previous partner. Instead of using our original partner, we plan to use our additional marketing budget to help our awardees host their websites and to enable web monetization on these sites. This gives creators freedom and more ownership of their work. This month, we plan to record both the marketing and digital publicity videos. The marketing video will be released in August, and the digital publicity video will be released in early September.

We Launched Our Project

Victoria Coker — Mon, 09 May 2022 12:22:27 +0000

Last month, we launched our project Black Web Fest x Web Monetization. Black Web Fest x Web Monetization, is a program that provides training for creators to learn how to use web monetization to access new streams of funding. We'll be providing free training, a two-month free Coil Membership and four creators will be awarded a $5,000 grant.

One creator selected from each category (i.e., Best Short Film, Best Short Documentary, Best Web Series, and Best Animation) will receive a $5,000 grant ($4,000 to use on their next project + $1,000 to use on marketing their film or series) and support to stream and monetize their content on Cinnamon.Video.

Submissions close June 25, 2022. Winners will be announced before or by July 25, 2022, at 11:59 EST.

If you know of any independent Black filmmakers or animators who maybe interested in particpating or you think should learn more about how to monetize their work with web monetization please share. Here is the link for our registration: https://blackwebfest.org/bwf-x-web-monetization/