NAMIC New England

05/29/2026

Join us for BREAKOUT SESSION 4: The Cultural Advantage: How to Lead Up Without Losing Your Seat

🗓 June 3, 2026
⏰ 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

Hear from industry leaders Christopher A. Daniel, Kim Blue, and Vickie Rodgers as they unpack how to navigate rooms where culture is being misunderstood — and how to use your voice strategically to drive impact, influence decisions, and lead with confidence.

This conversation is for the changemakers who know that representation means more than being in the room — it means shaping what happens next.

🎟️ Register now at https://lnkd.in/eH-KNJd

05/21/2026

Congratulations to Kamilah A’Vant, President of New England Chapter of NAMIC Next New England for her recognition 20026 100 Women of Color Award!

The ceremony will be hosted at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, CT on October 9, 2026.

05/20/2026

05/18/2026

Byron Allen, the comedian turned business mogul, is officially buying a controlling stake in the media company BuzzFeed.

Allen Family Digital is paying $120 million for a 52% stake in the company, according to an announcement on Monday — making the 20-year-old media entity Black-owned.

Allen will replace BuzzFeed founder Jonah Peretti as chief executive, while continuing to lead Allen Media Group, which owns the Weather Channel and produces “Comics Unleashed,” set to replace Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” slot on CBS after it concludes this month.

BuzzFeed, which previously won a Pulitzer Prize, shuttered its longform journalism and reporting section in 2023. It owns the progressive news site HuffPost.

05/18/2026

Don’t miss this!

Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Rhode Island College, Gaige Hall 200 (second floor)
600 Sixth Ave, North Providence, RI 02911 | On Campus Parking Available

In-Person / Virtual (Zoom) | WIFVNE Members: $5 | Non-Members: $10

Join WIFVNE and the Rhode Island College Film Studies Program for an engaging workshop exploring the business side of filmmaking. We'll talk about financing, distribution, production logistics, budgeting, and what it takes to successfully bring independent films to life.

Our speakers:
Paige Williams is an entertainment attorney and business-affairs executive specializing in film sales, distribution, and financing. She currently oversees business affairs and production legal for various sales agents, producers, and other industry clients, and has held senior roles at Voltage Pictures and The Exchange, bringing deep expertise in deal structuring and negotiations with studios and streamers.

Alecia Orsini Lebeda is an award-winning Line Producer with over 20 years of experience bringing independent films to life. Based in New England, she specializes in smart budgeting, crew leadership, and production logistics, with recent credits including High Tide, Love of Your Life, and Same Same but Different (SXSW). Alecia is known for supporting bold, inclusive storytelling while keeping productions efficient, collaborative, and on track.

Location:
Rhode Island College - Gaige Hall 200 (second floor)
600 Sixth Ave, North Providence, RI02911
On Campus Parking Available

05/18/2026

Let the countdown begin! We’re headed to ATLANTA for our Culture Next Summit on June 3, 2026!

We’re so excited to announce Tonya R. Walley, M.S.E., SVP- Head of Field Operations and Vendor Management at Optimum, leading our Build To Climb: Claiming Your Voice, Power, and Path session!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversations, connections, and ideas driving what’s next.

Secure your spot today at conference.namic.com

05/14/2026

April 2026: NAMIC Next New England proud to sponsor of the 2026 Rhode Island Black Film Festival. A phenomenal day of recognition! Michael Beach, Cape Verdean actor and Boston Massachusetts native with over 174 acting credits in a 40+ year career in films including Waiting to Exhale, Soul Food, Aquaman, If Beale Street Could Talk and so many more accepted his RIBFF Luminary Excellence Award virtually, see: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JiEmiKcjv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thank you to all of this years sponsors!

12/29/2025

12/19/2025

While ‘Sinners’ has won folks over culturally–based off the Academy’s history–the film will likely have a tough battle ahead of them as the Oscars gets closer. Let’s break down why!