Interested in starting your own journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with E'lon Joi, Founder and CEO of Black Film Allegiance, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

What's your organization, and who are your members?

Black Film Allegiance is a 501c3 nonprofit organization united by a commitment to create visibility for underrepresented creatives. We provide mentorship, networking opportunities, promote independent projects and talented creatives. We highlight job, competition, and festival application deadlines and holistically aim to encourage and unify creatives to exchange resources to execute their filmmaking goals. We also work as an intercessory between industry executives and capable creatives looking for professional opportunities.

Tell us about yourself

I've seen to what extent newer creatives get overlooked and even more so those from historically marginalized communities. Using the more communal experiences from film school along with the disparities I witnessed in development, I thought it was important to create a virtual space of community to unify creatives with support and resources to complete independent projects, pursue professional opportunities in entertainment, and, most importantly to create a community for Black creatives across the diaspora. I'm motivated by the talent I encounter daily, the need to help remove access barriers, and the desire to see equity in entertainment.

What's your biggest accomplishment as an organization?

Our biggest accomplishment has been helping to kick off the careers of promising young professionals that simply needed opportunity and visibility. From when we first started featuring creatives to now, we have seen the careers of many of our original features blossom into successful names responsible for directing, cinematography, animation, and more for popular TV shows, award-winning feature films, and standout indie projects. I love watching the development of each person's craft over time and continuing to cheer them on!

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being an organization?

The hardest thing about being a business owner is balancing attention to both long-term and immediate goals. While much of running a business is building the landscape for a stable organization of longevity, constant daily maintenance and attention are necessary to foster an engaged community of followers. Learning to manage the fluidity of business priorities and delegate tasks accordingly has been a consistent but rewarding challenge best resolved by listening to the input and present needs of your target audience.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow an organization today?

The best three tips I could give to anyone looking to start a business are to find a niche focus that adheres to a common need, recruit a staff of like-minds for feedback and support, and patron the events of other businesses within your area of focus to form relationships within your community.

Where can people find you and your group?

Website: https://www.bfallegiance.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BFAllegiance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bfallegiance/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfallegiance
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-film-allegiance/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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