Help Young Creatives Thrive in the SF Bay Area

For 9+ years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the board of BAYCAT, and it’s still one of the things I’m proudest to be part of.

Media matters. It shapes our culture, one film, one news clip, one story at a time. Yet in 2024, only about 20% of theatrical film directors were people of color and about 15% were women. BAYCAT is changing that right here in San Francisco. For over 20 years, it has given young people ages 11 to 25 free, hands-on training in film and media, paid internships, and real work alongside professional mentors. 91% of its participants are BIPOC, 52% are women, and I’ve been thankful to watch so many of them step into careers in tech and media.

The paid internship has always been close to my heart. It gives a young person a real job, hands-on experience, and the chance to make their mark in the industry, along with income that helps support their family. Through pro-bono shoots, interns also give back to vital community organizations here in San Francisco.

This has been an especially hard year for nonprofits like BAYCAT, with major funding losses just as the young people it serves face added pressure. If you believe in a more inclusive media landscape, please consider a gift of any size. Thank you for helping the next generation of storytellers.