OYA Black Arts CoalitionOYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) is a Toronto-based nonprofit and registered charity dedicated to strengthening pathways to entry, advancement, and entrepreneurship for Black creatives in the screen industries. Through integrated creative, business, and workforce development initiatives, OBAC empowers Black artists and entrepreneurs to meaningfully participate in—and shape—the creative economy.
Founded in 2018 by award-winning filmmakers Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George, OBAC was created in response to systemic barriers limiting access to mentorship, skills development, and industry networks for emerging Black creatives. The organization became a registered charity in 2022 and has since grown into a nationally recognized leader in Black screen-sector development.
Over the past eight years, OBAC has delivered targeted programs supporting early-career professionals with hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world production experience. Its flagship Emerging Filmmakers program equips participants with core production skills while supporting the creation of short films, enabling participants to earn their first professional screen credits. Alumni of the program have gone on to participate in prestigious labs, receive industry awards, and work with leading production companies in Canada and internationally.
OBAC’s Career Leap program, now in its fourth year, provides paid production placements and accelerated pathways to union membership, addressing critical gaps in workforce access and retention. Career Bridge, also in its fourth year, supports pitch development and proof-of-concept creation, helping creatives move projects from idea to market-ready. These programs are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism through the Black Youth Action Plan and are delivered in collaboration with a robust ecosystem of screen-sector partners.
A major milestone in OBAC’s growth was the OYA Scale Up Initiative (2021–2025), funded by FedDev Ontario. This multi-year initiative supported more than 150 Black-owned businesses through investment readiness and entrepreneurial training across Immersive (media), Business Bootcamp, and Master Class programs. OBAC has continued to support Scale Up alumni through advanced business strategy advisory services and market-readiness support, funded by the Canada Media Fund and Ontario Creates.
Through its programs and partnerships, OBAC continues to advance equity, sustainability, and leadership within Canada’s screen industries.
