Black stories are part of the fabric of American history. These stories, known and still being uncovered, tell of our past, present and future, and enrich the picture of who we are. This year, Comcast NBCUniversal celebrates Black History Month by lifting up the stories and storytellers that inspire, enlighten, and educate us about who we are as a country. By celebrating Black leaders, innovators, and artists, we inspire others even as we inspire ourselves.
Black Storytellers
Our storytellers reflect who we are as a people. Through the firsthand voices of civil rights heroes, business owners, scholars, and so many more, the power of Black storytellers can be felt across all our platforms – especially as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Black Experience on Xfinity, which features the largest curated independent Black film collection on demand.
Black Experience on Xfinity
This February, Xfinity is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Black Experience channel which has funded more than 25 Black creators and organizations on and off screen since its launch, and announcing plans to offer $1 million in grants to emerging Black filmmakers.
Centering Black Voices
Who tells our story is as important as the story itself. This month, Xfinity is showcasing the importance that Black directors have on storytelling. With a commitment to uncovering stories you don’t know – or those you think you know – we are revealing a fuller picture of the American experience.
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement
On the Voices of the Civil Rights Movement platform, we champion civil rights heroes in their own voices – from the New Orleans Four, who desegregated public schools in 1960, to “Avenues of Dreams,” a Black Experience on Xfinity original documentary about reclaiming MLK Boulevards to reflect Dr. King’s legacy.
NBCUniversal
With “Together We Rise,” NBCUniversal is driving cultural awareness of the unprecedented influence and accomplishments of Black Americans. From film and TV to politics, music, and sports, the campaign will spotlight Black achievements.
NBCU Academy
NBCU Academy is an innovative, multiplatform journalism training and development program that is helping to build the next generation of diverse journalists and storytellers. Learn how NBCU Academy is expanding its reach.
Commitment to Digital Equity & Social Impact
Comcast NBCUniversal is proud to partner with nonprofit community organizations committed to improving economic opportunity. These partnerships are part of Project UP, our comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. This February, we honor partners advancing community-changing work through our various platforms, including Comcast Newsmakers.
Youth Design Center
Youth Design Center is a youth centered design agency providing a gateway for young people to learn marketable skills in STEAM, access post-secondary education, achieve economic mobility, and engage in place-based community revitalization.
Ghetto Film School
Ghetto Film School is preparing the next generation of storytellers. Through an education program for high school students and early-career support for young professionals, GFS is training thousands of individuals annually for careers in the creative industries.
Walker’s Legacy Foundation
Walker’s Legacy Foundation is working to enhance the livelihood, economic equality, and prosperity of multicultural women and women-led micro-enterprises, by providing entrepreneurship training and business development programming focused on improving financial literacy and financial empowerment.
Echoing Green
“Unwavering: The Power of Black Innovation” by Echoing Green celebrates the long legacy of Black innovation through portraits of nine Black social entrepreneurs. Comcast is a leading sponsor of the film and an anchor partner of Echoing Green’s Racial Equity Philanthropic Fund, which invests in new social innovators working to dismantle structural racism.
JFF
Comcast NBCUniversal and JFF released a new report identifying 14 trailblazing organizations working to increase the number and proportion of Black Americans in high-earning technology careers.
Project UP
Project UP is our comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses
We collaborate with Black entrepreneurs and small businesses to share resources and provide up-and-coming business leaders support as they make groundbreaking innovations. Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs gives entrepreneurs access to our renowned network of partners, brands, and mentors to foster rapid breakthroughs in media, entertainment, and connectivity. We continue to support underrepresented small businesses through Comcast RISE, a multi-year commitment to provide marketing services, technology makeovers, and cash grants. To date, nearly 6,700 small businesses owned by people of color have benefited and the program is on track to reach 13,000 small businesses by the end of 2022.
Sabrina Scott-Pappas’ passion for coffee has always fueled her business. As founder and “Chief Executive Coffee Nerd” at ES Beverage, she sought ways to grow her business through the pandemic despite the circumstances. Comcast RISE helped her quickly scale her business as a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, and marketer of hot and cold beverages.
Claudia Fitzwater founded Atlanta’s Project: Body to create a fitness space for women of color – not only in services offered but with accessible pricing. When the pandemic hit, Comcast RISE helped them expand their reach to offer virtual classes to women around the world.
At the onset of the pandemic, Ravlin Martial Arts owner and head instructor Angelus McFarlane struggled to continue operations of his community-based business. Comcast RISE stepped in to supply laptops and technology that allowed this educational and wellness hub to continue serving its community.
Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs
Founding in Color, a docuseries created by LIFT Labs in partnership with Black Experience on Xfinity, follows Black and Latino founders as they get candid about race, identity, personal struggles, and a pandemic.
Employee Engagement
During Black History Month, Black technologists from across Comcast will gather virtually for the 3rd Annual BENgineers conference. Through the day-long professional development event, BENgineers, which stands for Black employee network of engineers, will share experiences, create connections, and explore how their innovations and contributions makes Comcast an even more inclusive and equitable workplace – leading to smarter technology and better outcomes.

A group of employees at a former BENgineers Conference.

Speaker at a previous BENgineers Conference.

Speaker at a previous BENgineers Conference.

Comcast leaders speak at a BENgineers Conference.
Connection Through Creation
In celebration of Black History Month, we are excited to bring you Connection Through Creation — a series focused on creators who are using the Internet to promote the history, culture, and contributions of their communities. Stay tuned throughout the month to see original pieces from these creators. Each lends a distinct artistic voice to telling this powerful story, and we’re grateful to share their work and words.
Alloyius Mcilwaine is an international street artist and muralist originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Influenced by decades of travel, a love of comics, and an appreciation for culture, his artwork encompasses themes of imagination, positivity and community. Alloyius designed a mural, in partnership with Comcast and Mural Arts Philadelphia, that will be installed in a Lift Zone in Pennsylvania. You can follow him @culturesclothing.
Matthew Law, originally from Seattle, is a filmmaker, actor and activist currently living in Los Angeles, California. In 2021, Matthew was awarded Best Web Series presented by Comcast NBCUniversal at the American Black Film Festival for True Story: I Feel. You can follow him @iammattlaw.
O-Slice is a poet, rapper, and director originally from Ibadan, Nigeria, and raised in Largo, MD. She is known for her thoughtful attention to writing true experiences in her music, to performance in her live shows, and her leadership in a creative collective called HYERLearnin. You can follow her @flowsnice.
Morgan Bissant is a graphic designer and illustrator based in New Orleans, LA. Morgan enjoys highlighting characters with deep complexions and undercelebrated features. You can follow her @morg_city.