ABOUT

MISSION

ACCESS

People of color — especially women, queer, trans, Black and indigenous people of color — are often blocked from job opportunities, professional relationships, and resources because of finances, harassment or discrimination.

Our goal is to remove barriers to access for BIPOC entering editorial, journalism, documentary, commercial and fine art careers. The Authority Collective connects our community members with job, mentorship, networking and professional development resources.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Token representation and half-hearted calls for “diversity” are not enough to solve equity problems within our industries. Continuing to hire disproportionately more white/cis-male/heterosexual lenses for stories about black, brown and other marginalized communities is not acceptable. It is crucial to take decision-makers and fellow storytellers to task when they perpetuate harmful narratives and stereotypes about marginalized groups.

The Authority Collective believes that ally-ship in visual media industries is more than merely recognizing privilege and voicing support — it's about harnessing that privilege to elevate underrepresented storytellers with direct action and funding.

We aim to shift the power dynamic in both traditional and independent media so that the stories we tell more accurately represent the diversity of our world. The Authority Collective will develop resources and training opportunities for industry leaders, decision-makers and colleagues on inclusion, accountability, impact and the implementation of anti-oppressive practices.

AUTHORITY

We are claiming our authority as people of color working in lens-based storytelling media. A white, cisgender, heteronormative, patriarchal lens dominates our world’s visual histories, and it is this same lens that determines access and success in many industries — including ours.

Through our public-facing resources, consulting services, and by elevating our community members to leadership roles within the industry, we are establishing our power to set standards that challenge colonial aesthetics, narratives and notions of success.