ORIGIN STORY
When I first started out here, seeing another person of color on set was rare, but there were a few. When I moved back from LA, it was even rarer. I was almost always the only one on a commercial set. But funnily enough, every now and then I’d hear rumors of others—like whispers of Bigfoot or a unicorn sighting—but our paths never actually crossed. I finally had to ask myself: where is this secret place these folks are hiding?
That’s why I started SSBC. It was born from a desire to connect, collaborate, and champion filmmakers of color in Massachusetts. But as we started talking and really listening to each other’s goals and struggles, it became clear our mission had to be bigger. We didn’t just need a network; we needed to build actual on-ramps into the industry through access, mentorship, and education. Ultimately, our goal wasn't just to help filmmakers of color but to enrich the industry as a whole.
— Vladimir Minuty, Founder of The Secret Society of Black Creatives
ABOUT
SSBC is a community-driven ecosystem built to connect, support, and expand opportunities for Black and Brown creatives in Boston. Founded by a collective of industry professionals, the organization was created to help close the gap between talent and access—fostering meaningful relationships between creatives and companies seeking more thoughtful, effective ways to engage diverse talent.
Through initiatives like THE KONNECT, SSBC facilitates ongoing conversations, builds stronger networks, and contributes to a more inclusive and sustainable creative economy. Grounded in community and focused on intentional growth, SSBC exists as a space to connect, collaborate, and move the industry forward, together.
MISSION
The Secret Society of Black Creatives (SSBC) exists to close the gap between Black and Brown creatives and the broader creative economy.
We do this by expanding access to industry networks, education, and career pathways across film, television, and adjacent creative industries. Through community-driven programming, workforce development, and strategic partnerships, SSBC equips creatives with the tools, relationships, and opportunities needed to build sustainable, long-term careers.
As we enter a new phase of growth, our mission remains rooted in access but evolves toward infrastructure: creating not just entry points, but lasting systems of support, visibility, and economic participation.
We are not just creating access.
We are building infrastructure.
We are building legacy.
VISION
SSBC envisions a creative industry where Black and Brown creatives are not navigating from the margins but are fully integrated, resourced, and leading across all levels of the ecosystem.
As the organization steps into a new chapter of leadership and expanded funding, SSBC is focused on scaling its impact: from a grassroots network to a sustainable institution. This includes deepening program offerings, building pipelines into industry, strengthening partnerships, and creating replicable models that can extend beyond Massachusetts.
Our vision is to become a standard model for equitable access in the creative economy where community, culture, and career pathways are not separate, but interconnected.
We see a future where:
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Access is not gatekept, but built into the system
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Creative careers are viable, visible, and sustainable
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Black and Brown creatives are not just participants but decision-makers
