Sisters in Cinema is a 501(c)3 non-profit with an inclusive mission to center and celebrate Black girls, women, and gender non-conforming media makers, providing programs designed to educate, raise visibility, and support and serve these communities.
They are an Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grantee and were awarded $181,725.00 to complete work on their new location in South Shore. According to Block Club Chicago, the plan includes “building a gallery, 45-seat theater, editing lab and educational space. The new location will host the nonprofit’s documentary fellowship, paid newsroom for young reporters, and other free programs.”
“I’m so happy to be bringing this project as a deep investment in our community,” Sisters in Cinema founder Yvonne Welbon said. “We are bringing jobs, learning opportunities and we’re also creating a space for healing. Through our work, we are creating a pipeline for those who wish to work in the creative industries.”
Mayor Lightfoot joined with the Sisters in Cinema team and local leadership to celebrate the groundbreaking of the project last month. The new media center is set to open in September. Learn more about this project in the ABC7 feature story below.
Learn More About the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
The City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund generates revenue from downtown developments to finance community and culture projects in local neighborhoods. Administered by SomerCor, NOF grants are for commercial property acquisition, improvement or new construction and can range up to $250,000.
If you have a vision to strengthen the commercial corridors in Chicago’s South, Southwest and West Sides, click here to learn more about the program.