OYA Black Arts Coalition
OYA Black Arts Coalition is a Toronto-based registered charity founded in 2018 that delivers free mentorship, training, and funding programs to Black filmmakers, producers, and media entrepreneurs in Canada's entertainment sector, funded primarily by government grants and foundation support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What OYA Black Arts Coalition does
OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) is a registered Canadian charity headquartered in Toronto, founded in 2018 by filmmakers Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George as the non-profit arm of OYA Media Group. The organization addresses systemic barriers to Black participation in Canada's entertainment industry by providing free, cohort-based programs for Black filmmakers, producers, and media entrepreneurs aged 18–34 in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Its core program portfolio includes OYA Emerging Filmmakers (mentorship, networking, and skills training for post-secondary Black graduates, with a 7th-edition Producer Incubator), OYA Career Leap (work placements to satisfy union eligibility requirements), OYA Career Bridge (pitch deck development and proof-of-concept funding), and the now-completed Scale Up Initiative (a 3-year Business Bootcamp, Masterclass, and Immersive Lab targeting 150 Black-owned businesses, producing 12 XR prototypes). Additional offerings include the 'Creating Space for Black Emerging Talent' research publication (2024, Canada Media Fund-supported) and branded merchandise through the OBAC Shop.
OBAC's revenue model is grant-dependent rather than commercial: 100% of programs are free to participants. The largest disclosed funding event is a $3M non-repayable contribution from the Government of Canada's Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund (2022, administered by FedDev Ontario), supplemented by the Black Youth Action Plan, Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Canada Media Fund, corporate sponsors (RBC, WIFT Toronto, Bizable Media, I.M.P.A.C.T.), and donations through CanadaHelps. Distribution is community-led: the organization recruits through film festival partnerships (TIFF Education, Caribbean Tales, Hot Docs), industry organizations (WIFT Toronto, NABET 700-M Unifor), and direct applications via its website. Operational cost base is small — approximately 5–6 staff led by Executive Director Kadon Douglas — with co-founders Duke and Conteh George maintaining active leadership. Outcomes data is strong for a nonprofit: 92% of Emerging Filmmakers alumni have worked in film since completing the program, 83% are currently working in the industry, and 100% of respondents rated the program 'useful' or 'extremely useful'.
OYA Black Arts Coalition firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OYA Black Arts Coalition
- Legal name
- OYA Black Arts Coalition
- Website
- https://oyablackarts.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- OYA Black Arts Coalition is a Toronto-based registered charity founded in 2018 that delivers free mentorship, training, and funding programs to Black filmmakers, producers, and media entrepreneurs in Canada's entertainment sector, funded primarily by government grants and foundation support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OYA Black Arts Coalition industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Arts Development
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building) (BPAGAHAL), Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
Keywords
Where OYA Black Arts Coalition is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
OYA Black Arts Coalition business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Primary revenue source is government funding, including $3 million contribution from the Government of Canada's Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund through FedDev Ontario, as well as support from Black Youth Action Plan and Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
- Foundation Grants: Research supported by Canada Media Fund; program funding from various foundations and corporate sponsors including RBC, WIFT Toronto, Bizable Media, and I.M.P.A.C.T.
- Donations and Merchandise: Organization accepts donations through CanadaHelps and sells merchandise (OBAC merchandise) with proceeds supporting programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | All programs are free for eligible participants |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
OYA Black Arts Coalition product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OYA Black Arts Coalition is a Canadian registered charity that empowers Black artists, creators, and entrepreneurs in the entertainment sector through free training programs, mentorship, career development, and advocacy initiatives. The organization delivers structured programs such as the Emerging Filmmakers Program, Career Leap, Career Bridge, and Scale Up Initiative to help participants build sustainable careers in film, media, and entertainment.
Product overview
OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) is a charity organization offering a portfolio of programs designed to empower Black artists, creators, and entrepreneurs in Canada's entertainment sector. The core offerings include four interconnected programs: OYA Emerging Filmmakers (providing mentorship and skills training for recent graduates), OYA Career Leap (work placement for union eligibility), OYA Career Bridge (pitch deck creation and proof-of-concept funding), and the OYA Scale Up Initiative (an entrepreneurship program with three modules—Business Bootcamp, Masterclasses, and Immersive Lab for XR/VR/AR technology). Additional offerings include research publications on Black emerging talent and merchandise through the OBAC Shop.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Emerging Filmmakers Program
- Career Leap
- Career Bridge
- Scale Up Initiative
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% of OBAC Emerging Filmmakers Program alumni have worked in film since completing the program
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use OYA Black Arts Coalition
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
OYA Black Arts Coalition technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
OYA Black Arts Coalition partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Hot Docs Film FestivalmajorFestival where 'A Mother Apart' (directed by OYA mentor Laurie Townshend, co-produced by founders) was selected for screening in 2024.
- Canadian Film Centre (CFC Media Lab)corePartnership to deliver Scale Up Immersive program - an accelerator for Black creators in immersive media production (VR/AR/XR). CFC provides industry expertise, mentorship, and access to their production facilities. The program ran for three years with cohorts of 10-11 participants each.
- Dark SlopecoreTechnology partner for Scale Up Immersive, providing access to state-of-the-art motion capture production facilities and technologies in Toronto for immersive media creation.
- WIFT TorontomajorProgram partner for Business Affairs Boot Camp, providing opening networking reception, end-of-program networking forum with panel discussion, and year-long memberships for participants.
- Bizable MediamajorProgram partner for Business Affairs Boot Camp, contributing to curriculum development and industry mentorship.
- I.M.P.A.C.T.majorProgram partner providing year-long memberships and industry resources for Business Boot Camp participants.
- Black HeartminorUS-based cooperative of Black immersive artists and technologists partnering with Scale Up Immersive to lead networking sessions for participants.
- Historica CanadamajorPartnership to produce the Chloe Cooley Heritage Minute - the first-ever Canadian heritage content depicting and acknowledging slavery in Canada, directed by Alison Duke.
- OYA Media GroupcoreProduction company founded by OBAC co-founders Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George. OYA Media Group and OBAC work together on productions, with OYA Media Group creating content and OBAC providing training and support for emerging Black filmmakers.
- TIFF EducationmajorLongstanding partner providing creative partnerships and industry connections for OYA Emerging Filmmakers program.
- Corus EntertainmentmajorIndustry partner supporting OYA Emerging Filmmakers; provided facility tours and industry exposure for program participants.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OYA Black Arts Coalition competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BIPOC TV & Film: Canadian nonprofit dedicated to increasing BIPOC representation in screen-based industries through training, mentorship, and talent development programs. Directly comparable to OBAC as a peer community-led organization supporting underrepresented creators in Canada's entertainment sector, with overlapping funder ecosystems (CMF, federal/provincial grants).
- Canadian Independent Screen Fund for Black and POC Creators (CISF): Canadian grantmaking fund specifically supporting Black and POC creators in the screen industry. Highly comparable to OBAC given the shared mandate to advance Black/POC talent in film, overlapping leadership circles (Kadon Douglas serves on the CISF board), and complementary roles — CISF provides financing while OBAC provides training.
- Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF): Annual film festival showcasing Black filmmakers from across the diaspora. Directly comparable as a Toronto-based, Black-focused screen-industry organization whose ecosystem overlaps with OBAC's recruitment pipelines and showcase opportunities for alumni.
- Reelworld Film Festival: Canadian film festival and screen-industry organization focused on racial equity and inclusion in the screen sector. Comparable to OBAC through shared mission of advancing underrepresented creators, with both running showcase/recognition programs; Kadon Douglas has served on Reelworld's board.
- WIFT+ Toronto (Women in Film & Television Toronto): Canadian nonprofit serving women and non-binary creators in screen-based industries through mentorship, training, networking events, and showcase programs. Directly comparable to OBAC as a community-led capacity-building organization with a similar program portfolio (mentorship, business affairs bootcamp support, showcase events) and overlapping industry partnerships.
- Caribbean Tales Film Festival: Toronto-based festival and foundation supporting Caribbean and African diaspora filmmakers. Comparable as a community-led Black-focused screen-industry organization; OBAC partners with Caribbean Tales for recruitment and alumni showcase opportunities.
Broad incumbents
- NFB (National Film Board of Canada): Canada's federal public film producer and distributor, with a long-standing mandate to support diverse Canadian storytellers. Functions as a broader incumbent that funds and showcases content from creators in OBAC's pipeline, making it a relevant industry peer.
- Canadian Film Centre (CFC): Canada's premier film, television, and digital media training institution, operating the CFC Media Lab for immersive/XR content. While a much larger and broader organization than OBAC, CFC is a direct Scale Up Immersive delivery partner and serves an overlapping creator audience, making it a relevant incumbent peer.
- Hot Docs (Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival): North America's largest documentary festival, operating year-round industry programs including Doc Accelerator (which OBAC's Executive Director Kadon Douglas completed). A relevant broader incumbent supporting documentary filmmakers with programs that intersect with OBAC's mission.
Emerging players
- Black Artists' Network in Dialogue (BAND): Toronto-based nonprofit gallery and arts organization supporting Black artists across disciplines. Comparable as a Black-led Canadian arts nonprofit working to amplify Black creators, though BAND's focus is visual arts rather than film specifically.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OYA Black Arts Coalition social profiles
Digital presenceOYA Black Arts Coalition financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OYA Black Arts Coalition leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
OYA Black Arts Coalition funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OYA Black Arts Coalition M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OYA Black Arts Coalition
What does OYA Black Arts Coalition do?
OYA Black Arts Coalition is a Canadian registered charity that empowers Black artists, creators, and entrepreneurs in the entertainment sector through free training programs, mentorship, career development, and advocacy initiatives. The organization delivers structured programs such as the Emerging Filmmakers Program, Career Leap, Career Bridge, and Scale Up Initiative to help participants build sustainable careers in film, media, and entertainment.
Is OYA Black Arts Coalition a public or private company?
OYA Black Arts Coalition is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OYA Black Arts Coalition founded?
OYA Black Arts Coalition was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is OYA Black Arts Coalition based?
OYA Black Arts Coalition is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does OYA Black Arts Coalition make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants and donations and Merchandise.
Who are OYA Black Arts Coalition's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BIPOC TV & Film, Canadian Independent Screen Fund for Black and POC Creators (CISF), Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF), Reelworld Film Festival, WIFT+ Toronto (Women in Film & Television Toronto) and Caribbean Tales Film Festival. Broad incumbents are NFB (National Film Board of Canada), Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and Hot Docs (Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival). Black Artists' Network in Dialogue (BAND) is listed as an emerging player.
Does OYA Black Arts Coalition have an API?
No public API is recorded for OYA Black Arts Coalition.
What industry is OYA Black Arts Coalition in?
OYA Black Arts Coalition's product category is Community Arts Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAJ, Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAL, Arts & Culture Service/Support Organizations (Networks, Advocacy, Capacity Building). Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 8200.