Greetings to each of you and thank you for visiting this site over the past several weeks. Thank you also for your patience as the BND Institute of Media and Culture continues to plan, produce and present programming in a new year that’s sure to be filled with new adventures and excitement!

Last year, 2017, began with a bang when the Institute brought in Miko Branch of Miss Jessie’s to lead “A Master Class in Entrepreneurship.”

Several weeks later, the Institute explored the very intriguing aspects of “Dating in the Digital Age.”

In September 2017, the BND Institute presented  “A Master Class in Jazz” with acclaimed musicians, saxophonist James “Saxsmo” Gates  and  the “Princess of Percussion” Taylor Moore.

Our intoxicating year ended with renowned journalist Angela P. Dodson, who discussed her book “Remember the Ladies: Celebrating Those Who Fought for Freedom at the Ballot Box.”

In between and betwixt, Bonnie Newman Davis, the Institute’s founder and CEO, provided consulting services for organizations such as the National Association of Black Journalists, the RVA Entrepreneurs Association, the Richmond Association of Black Journalists, the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance , The

Richmond Free Press, Urban Views Weekly, Virginia Union University’s Center for the Study of the Urban Child, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and The Campaign for Youth Justice.

More importantly, Ms. Davis pursued her quest for the Institute to gain its nonprofit status. That goal was accomplished in January 2018, 16 months after the Institute was founded, with a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that the BND Institute of Media and Culture has been granted tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c) (3).

With our newfound status as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, our mission becomes all the more clear as we continue to  provide programs, services and training dedicated to educating and engaging diverse audiences about contemporary news media and its impact on African-American life and culture. Upcoming programs will include a memoir writing workshop, a summer writing workshop for youth, a master class in jazz session for youth, and a speakers series.

Last, but not least, the Institute must acknowledge and thank our incredible sponsors for their benevolence since our inception:

Afro Economics with JB Bryan

MLH Assets Management, LP

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia

Edit Services Inc.

L&Z Historic LLC

JADE Multicultural Salon

Maxamus Insurance Services, LLC

Virginia Union University’s Center for the Study of the Urban Child