10 Years of the BWFN Summit
The Black Women Film Network was established in 1977 by Sheryl Gripper. According to its site, the nonprofit was originally named the Black Women Film Preservation Project to preserve the voice of Black women in film and increase the number of women in the entertainment industry. Since then, the organization has rebranded to the Black Women Film Network, but the why remains the same: uplifting Black women in film and ensuring the next generation has space to make it.
On March 22, 2025, the Black Women Film Network hosted its 10th annual Summit in Atlanta, where they honored women making waves in film and media. The summit also featured panels from film and media experts, along with a luncheon.
During the luncheon, film students Myrel Clark (New York University), Lacey Hardy (New York University), and Kayla Rivers (Spelman College) received $1,000 scholarships. Cathy Hughes, a 2025 Black Women Film Network honoree, matched the scholarships, increasing each student’s award to $2,000. Founder Gripper started the scholarship in 2001, where she wrote personal checks to the recipients.
The City of Atlanta was in attendance to present the organization with a proclamation for its impact, which was a surprise to Gripper.
The 2025 Black Women Film Network Honorees:
- Aja Naomi King, Accelerather Award
- Cathy Hughes, the Sheryl Gripper On Her Shoulders Preservation Award
- Katori Hall, Storytellher Award
- Angi Bones, Producher Award
- Denise Williams Watts, Beacon Award
- Felcia Joseph, Rainmakher Award
Hearing From the Honorees
Each honoree was invited to the stage to accept their award and give remarks.
King is most known for her role as Michaela Pratt on “How to Get Away with Murder” starring Viola Davis. She earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for her role in “The Birth of a Nation” and starred in “Sylvie’s Love”. King is a L’Oréal Paris ambassador who advocates for women’s empowerment.
“Nothing about this industry is easy, and I think we all know that,” said King. “…even in these times you must continue to go forward.”
Hughes is the founder of Urban One, formerly known as Radio One, the largest Black-owned media company in the U.S. In 1999, she became the first Black woman to own a publicly traded media company and played a major role in amplifying Black voices in radio, television, and digital media. She was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2010. Her list of accolades is long, but her mission to give back to the Black community is longer.
“I am totally committed to the liberation of Black people,” said Hughes.
Hall is an American playwright, screenwriter, and producer who has won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play “The Hot Wing King”. Hall’s acclaimed works include “The Mountaintop”, which received the 2010 Olivier Award for Best New Play, and “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical”, earning her two Tony Award nominations. She is also the creator of the hit show Starz series P-Valley, based on her play “Pussy Valley”.
“Know that there is much power in the pen,” said Hall.
Bones is a producer and film executive and has contributed to over 50 films, including movies “The Negotiator”, “Blade”, and “Training Day”. Bones has held key roles in Tyler Perry’s productions, serving as second assistant director on 11 feature films and co-producing more than 240 episodes of the sitcoms “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne.” Bones is currently the president of original programming at Tyler Perry Studios, where she oversees the development of original series and films.
“We have a duty to uplift,” said Bones.
Watts is the global director of original content for Apple Music, where she oversees the creation and development of short-form content. She is the former VP of creative and visual content for Warner Bros. Records and a co-founder of Honorable Women in Media, which celebrates women who work behind the scenes for some of the biggest brands.
“The sense of purpose continues to drive me to help the next generation,” said Watts. “…serving others is my top priority.
Joseph is the senior vice president of casting at Disney Entertainment Television, where she oversees casting and talent strategy for ABC pilots, series, and unscripted content for Hulu and other Walt Disney Television brands, including “Abbott Elementary“. She returned to ABC in 2022 after serving as senior vice president of casting at MRC Television. Joseph began her career in ABC’s casting department and has over 15 years of experience in studio and network casting.
“I was willing to bet on myself even when the next step wasn’t clear,” said Joseph.
Check out our video interviews from the 2025 Black Women Film Network Summit here.
