Washington, D.C. (October 19, 2023) – TANTV, a leading African and multicultural black diaspora-focused media, joins the second cohort of the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI) accelerator. It’s among the seven black and multicultural publishing companies that are strategically positioned to sustainably do business with the nation’s top advertisers.
The BOMESI 2nd Cohort accelerator, powered by General Motors (GM), aims to increase the number of diverse and Black-owned media companies. It will equip publishers with funding, one-on-one coaching, industry mentorship, and resources to further scale their media platforms. Publishers will engage in a three-month media accelerator focusing on infrastructure, ecosystem building, and audience development. The goal is to enhance deal flow and total investment to a broader spectrum of diverse and Black-owned media platforms, amplifying their voices for a more equitable future.
“We are very intentional about our growth and the programs we associate with. BOMESI for us checked all the right boxes – a black media accelerator that recognizes black storytelling isn’t monolithic. It understands the role of the African diaspora in American society and has a team genuinely concerned about the equity & sustainability of black-owned media,” said Adedayo Fashanu, CEO of TANTV.
TANTV will receive $25,000 in funding, meet with industry mentors, and undergo training on audience growth, deepening the understanding of monetization strategies, selling advertising inventory to top national advertisers, and SEO scalability in this evolving digital media landscape.
BOMESI emphasizes infrastructure, ecosystem building, and audience development to augment deal flow and investment to a more extensive array of diverse and Black-owned media platforms.
“In addition to training publishers, we also educate brands and agencies on equitable ways to transact with us. While many have the best intentions, their infrastructural operations and processes might not align. We assist them in recognizing these pitfalls and charting a more equitable course forward,” … Rhonesha Byng, Co-founder of BOMESI and founder of HerAgenda.com.
The seven publisher companies participating in the cohort include:
Cuisine Noir Mag – V. Sheree Williams, Kansas City Defender –Ryan A. Sorrell, Map Happy – Erica Ho, TANTV – Adedayo Fashanu & Abolaji Omitogun, The Skanner News Group – Bernie Foster & Jerry Foster, Upscale Magazine and Media –MILLIE Y. HARRELL, WHATS THE WORD Media – Cordaro McKee
“I’ve studied many legacy black media companies, and one of their significant downfalls was their reluctance to collaborate or partner with peers. They often chose competition over cooperation,” reflected Dévon Christopher Johnson, Co-founder of BOMESI and founder of BleuLife Media Group.
About TANTV:
TANTV is a media technology, news, and advertising company dedicated to advancing and elevating the inclusion of the African/Black multicultural diaspora in American society. Our platform enables users and brands to engage, stay informed, and interact with the diverse richness of the multicultural African & black diaspora community. To delve deeper into TANTV’s mission, visit: www.tantvstudios.com
About BOMESI:
BOMESI is a non-profit dedicated to empowering Black-owned media businesses in the publishing realm. Anchored by three main pillars – Community and ecosystem Building, Education, and Economic Empowerment – BOMESI boasts a public database of almost 241 Black-owned media companies nationwide, spanning digital and audio publishers to film and TV production studios and print publications. For more details about the program, visit: https://accelerator.blackownedmedia.org/
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