The Big Picture Alliance

10/30/2025

We’re counting down to the premiere of Neighborhood Voices Episode 3 “A Home From Shana”

The Philly based nonprofit A Home From Shana Foundation addresses the urgent disparities in maternal health and work to change the significantly high pregnancy - related deaths black women in Philly face. Through advocacy, education, and empowerment, A Home From Shana Foundation provides vital support to pregnant women and families, from immediate care to long-term community-based interventions.

Neighborhood Voices is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. The William Penn Foundationprovides lead support for Every Voice, Every Vote in 2024 and 2025 with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Comcast NBC Universal, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation, Judy and Peter Leone, Arctos Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, 25th Century Foundation, Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, and Philadelphia Health Partnership. To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.

10/29/2025

Take a closer look at the making of Episode 3 of our Neighborhood Voices series — produced by Big Picture Alliance and ChatterBlast, featuring the incredible work of A Home From Shana Foundation.

A Home From Shana Foundation supports the community through LaborLiveLove, their core program providing emergency and supportive housing for pregnant families in Philadelphia. Their holistic, community-centered approach emphasizes: Quality maternal care, Trained doulas and educators, and Emergency housing and essential wraparound services. With a mission to reduce maternal mortality and improve birth outcomes, their work is creating real, lasting change for pregnant mothers and families across the city.

Thanks to founder Cleopatra Robinson and City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for their partnership on this project.

Neighborhood Voices is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. The William Penn Foundation provides lead support for Every Voice, Every Vote in 2024 and 2025 with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Comcast NBC Universal, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation, Judy and Peter Leone, Arctos Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, 25th Century Foundation, Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, and Philadelphia Health Partnership. To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.

Neighborhood Voices Episode 3 is a Big Picture Alliance Project,
produced by Big Picture Productions:
Director/Producer: Gianna Brown
DP/Editor: Sam Austin
AC/2nd Cam: Tuan Tang
BTS: Dyneil Holden-Fobbs

10/28/2025

Coming soon, we’ll be dropping Neighborhood Voices | Episode 3!

We're proud to spotlight A Home from Shana Foundation — an organization on a mission to END the cycle of traumatic childbirth and its aftermath in underserved communities.

Rooted in integrity, compassion, innovation, and collaboration, A Home for Shana Foundation works tirelessly to eliminate the disparities in Black Maternal Health that contribute to unacceptably poor maternal and infant health outcomes.
By bridging critical gaps in care and support, they are helping mothers experience healthy pregnancies, safe and respectful births, and joyful beginnings with their babies.

Thanks to founder Cleopatra Robinson and Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for their partnership on this project.

Neighborhood Voices is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. The William Penn Foundation provides lead support for Every Voice, Every Vote in 2024 and 2025 with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Comcast NBC Universal, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation, Judy and Peter Leone, Arctos Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, 25th Century Foundation, Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, and Philadelphia Health Partnership. To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.

Stay tuned for the new episode!

Neighborhood Voices Episode 3 is a Big Picture Alliance Project,
produced by Big Picture Productions:
Director/Producer: Gianna Brown
DP/Editor: Sam Austin
AC/2nd Cam: Tuan Tang
BTS: Dyneil Holden-Fobbs

10/23/2025

Calling all emerging content creators & digital storytellers! Join us on November 11th for our next Professional Development Seminar, a crash course workshop designed to level up your skills in digital marketing + content creation. Led by Shahana Khan Khalil () and Stan Augustin (), in this 2-part, hands-on session, you'll learn:

- How to create authentic content that connects
- Build content pillars + a sustainable workflow
- Plan + produce effective digital campaigns
- Run a social media strategy from start to finish

Whether you're building your personal brand or producing for an organization, this seminar will help you strengthen your voice, understand your audience, and create with purpose in today’s digital landscape.

Don’t miss it — click here to sign up! https://bit.ly/3Jp7fRO

10/22/2025

Upcoming Weekend Workshop! Register today for our Screen Writing weekend workshop happening on 11/8! In this workshop, we will explore the basics of screenwriting! This includes examining a treatment, developing a script with a three act plot structure and using screenwriting programs
BPA’s Weekend Workshops are monthly crash course introductory workshops where youth (ages 14-24) learn the fundamentals of a particular aspect of filmmaking under the mentorship of professionals.

Interested in registering for this program? Click the link here to sign up. Space is limited so please make sure to apply as soon as possible! https://bit.ly/4nWIA6a

10/18/2025

We want to give a huge shoutout and thanks to Bettina Escauriza and Nikki Harmon for leading our Story Development weekend workshop this past weekend! It was a crash course in developing a film treatment under the mentorship of professionals. Students went through the foundational process of turning a story idea into a complete, fleshed-out concept for a film. They did hands-on activities and shared their work at the end of the session.

Interested in workshops like this? Don’t miss the next one happening on November 8th! Click the link here and join our mailing list to stay in the know about upcoming events and opportunities. https://bit.ly/4hmVLdQ

10/13/2025

We’re beyond excited to share that Taking Care of Business, the first episode in our Neighborhood Voices series has won a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award! 

This powerful documentary, produced by and , shines a light on ’s “Taking Care of Business” program, an initiative that invests in people and small businesses while keeping our neighborhood commercial corridors clean.

Featuring local change makers Brenda Collier of and Robert Gay of , the video highlights how community-based nonprofits are creating employment opportunities and building stronger, cleaner neighborhoods across Philly.

We’re so proud to kick off Neighborhood Voices with an Emmy-winning story, and this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more inspiring voices shaping the future of our communities!

10/08/2025

We had a great time at our Student Orientation earlier this month hosted at Ground Floor Studios. Incoming students joined us to learn more about the organization, their teaching artists, the programs they’ll be participating in this programmatic cycle, and to build community. We’re helping to cultivate a new generation of storytellers who contribute towards a more inclusive, equitable and just society.

Interested in learning more about our programs or how you can get involved? Click the link here and join our mailing list to stay informed about what’s happening. https://bit.ly/4hmVLdQ

10/06/2025

We’re excited to share this highlight reel from the 2025 Big Picture Film Fest! Thanks for sharing these moments with us, supporting our work, and celebrating our young filmmakers. So many great memories, we’re already nostalgic. With your support we premiered new films to an audience of over 300 people - uplifting the voices of dozens of youth and amplifying the work of our community partners. It was a moment to celebrate our youth as visionaries, professionals, and leaders - because when our young people are given a platform to be seen and heard, they thrive. This wouldn’t have been possible without our supporters like you and our amazing community of youth, funders, partners, staff! We want to give a special shoutout to Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for providing the space and vibes, our musical performer Nauddy Naddy, Maestro Filmworks for the recap video, our community partners, sponsors, and all of our staff and team members!

If you’re inspired, please consider donating or joining our BPA Film Fam monthly giving program, and continue to support year-round programs & events that reach hundreds of youth and community members.

Click here for ways to contribute to our mission. https://bit.ly/3Uul03X

10/01/2025

Don’t miss The Love Machine Reprise opening reception! This is a project by Jasmine Lynea, the selected 2024 Leeway x Next Fab Philly Art + Technology Artist-in-Residence.
Inspired by Jasmine’s sci-fi fantasy short film, The Love Machine, where a teenage scientist and influencer builds a time machine in his basement to help break intergenerational trauma. The Love Machine [reprise] acts as a tangible sequel to the film. The machine is no longer hidden in the basement; it’s the world we call home. It radiates Black memory, joy, love, and wonder, offering a space for reflection and imagination.

The Love Machine [reprise] features a large-scale art installation, diorama, and collage art. Celebrate and view jasmine’s work, on display at NextFab from October 9, 2025 at 6pm!

Free with RSVP! Click here:

Join us for a Nextfab x Leeway AiR culminating event, The Love Machine [reprise] by jasmine lynea

10/01/2025

Don’t miss The Love Machine Reprise opening reception! This is a project by , the selected 2024 Leeway x Art + Technology Artist-in-Residence.

Inspired by Jasmine’s sci-fi fantasy short film, The Love Machine, where a teenage scientist and influencer builds a time machine in his basement to help break intergenerational trauma. The Love Machine [reprise] acts as a tangible sequel to the film. The machine is no longer hidden in the basement; it’s the world we call home. It radiates Black memory, joy, love, and wonder, offering a space for reflection and imagination.

The Love Machine [reprise] features a large-scale art installation, diorama, and collage art. Celebrate and view jasmine’s work, on display at NextFab starting October 9, 2025 at 6pm!

Free with RSVP! Link at the link in bio!

09/30/2025

Join us for a panel presentation featuring reps from Drexel University and Temple University as they break down the essentials: academic programs, application tips, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.

You'll hear directly from faculty, staff and alumni from each school as they share what makes their programs unique and how to get started.

SAT Oct 12, 5-7pm (refreshments at 4:30pm)
GroundFloor Studios 1315 Walnut St Ste 131 Phila PA

Click here to RSVP! https://bit.ly/3KqQUML
(Open to Philadelphia youth ages 14-24)