Netflix to Donate $5 Million USD to Black Creators, Youth and Black-Owned Businesses
“Tackling racism and injustice in meaningful ways means creating long-term opportunities for the Black community.”
In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Netflix has announced that it will donate $5 million USD to organizations committed to supporting Black creators, Black youth and Black-owned businesses. Netflix’s Chairman and CEO Reed Hastings said in a statement:
“Tackling racism and injustice in meaningful ways means creating long-term opportunities for the Black community. The main role we play is through our funding of and member viewing of important content like When They See Us. As an additional step, today we’re committing $5 million USD to nonprofits dedicated to creating direct opportunities for Black creators, Black youth and Black-owned businesses.”
On the creator front, the streaming giant will allocate $1.5 million USD to Ghetto Film School, Film Independent’s Project Involve, Firelight Media and Black Public Media, according to Variety. As for the Black youth, three youth-oriented organizations – Know Your Rights Camp, the Posse Foundation and Black Girls Code – will be given $1 million USD each. Finally, Netflix will distribute $500,000 USD to Black-owned businesses in Los Angeles, which Vermont Slauson Economic Development will help disperse.
This announcement follows the news of the company’s employees personally donating to Black and racial-justice causes, with Netflix matching all donations at 200 percent. In case you missed it, YouTube has started a $100 million USD fund for Black creators.