Black Women in Entertainment (BWIE) officially launched on July 23, marking one year since the group mobilized for Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign. The new national network evolved from its political origins as Black Women in Entertainment for Kamala, transforming into a permanent platform for fostering community, culture, and collective power across the entertainment industry.
Founded by communications strategist and former Apple TV+ global publicity lead Evan Seymour, BWIE builds on the 2024 collective that successfully united over 500 Black women in entertainment. The original group focused on voter education, supporting then-Vice President Harris, and amplifying Black women’s voices in media and politics. Now, the organization expands beyond political activism to address broader professional and personal development needs.
The transformation represents a significant evolution from campaign organizing to sustainable community building. Furthermore, it demonstrates how political mobilization can create lasting networks that extend far beyond election cycles. The group’s success during the 2024 campaign provided the foundation for this expanded mission.
Seymour’s Leadership Transforms Political Momentum Into Lasting Organization
Evan Seymour, a 40-year-old Spelman College graduate, left her coveted role as publicity lead for Apple TV+ to help Harris get elected. Her personal sacrifice demonstrates the deep commitment that drove the initial organizing effort. The former Apple executive’s background in communications and publicity provided essential skills for building the movement.
“Today marks one year since I turned inspiration into action,” Seymour shared in a social media statement announcing the official launch. She participated in the historic Win with Black Women Zoom call on July 21, which raised over $1.5 million for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign. The call inspired her to form a small WhatsApp group that would eventually grow into a massive network.
Seymour’s leadership style emphasizes organic growth and authentic community building. Her approach started with personal relationships and expanded through genuine connections rather than formal institutional structures. This grassroots methodology became central to both the campaign effort and the new permanent organization.
WhatsApp Group Grows From Ten Members to National Movement
Seymour quickly invited a group of 10 Black women working in the entertainment industry into a WhatsApp group chat that sprouted into a 500-member collective. The rapid expansion occurred within days, demonstrating the pent-up desire for community among Black women in entertainment. The informal communication platform became the organizing hub for coordinated action.
“We organized on WhatsApp, and that WhatsApp grew from ten women into hundreds mobilizing across the country in a matter of days,” Seymour explained about the organic growth process. The platform’s accessibility allowed for real-time coordination and relationship building among geographically dispersed members. Additionally, the informal nature of WhatsApp fostered authentic conversations and connections.
The exponential growth pattern reflects both the urgent need for political action and the deeper desire for professional community. Moreover, it highlights how digital tools can facilitate rapid organizing when combined with genuine shared interests. The WhatsApp foundation established communication patterns that continue in the new permanent organization.
Campaign Success Demonstrates Black Women’s Collective Power in Entertainment
Black women in entertainment for Kamala (BWIE4Kamala) became part of a growing movement, raising money, educating voters and connecting with other powerful women to support Harris’s campaign, which raised $361 million in August. The group’s contributions helped solidify Harris’s financial advantage during the campaign period. Their efforts encompassed multiple strategies beyond simple fundraising.
The collective focused on voter education and community outreach in addition to financial support. Members leveraged their platforms and influence to amplify campaign messages and encourage civic engagement. Furthermore, they created networking opportunities that strengthened professional relationships while supporting political goals.
Notable participants included Jenifer Lewis, Debra Martin Chase and others who aligned with Win With Black Women and BWIE4Kamala during the 2024 DNC. The involvement of established industry leaders provided credibility and expanded reach for organizing efforts. Their participation also demonstrated broad support across different career levels and entertainment sectors.
New National Network Focuses on Professional Development and Community Support
The evolved BWIE organization plans to host both virtual and in-person networking events designed to strengthen professional connections among members. Educational workshops will provide skill development and industry knowledge sharing opportunities for career advancement. Community initiatives will address broader social issues affecting Black women in entertainment beyond workplace concerns.
“The call to do something doesn’t end on Election Day,” Seymour emphasized about the transition from political organizing to permanent community building. The new focus centers on member growth, care, and collective brilliance rather than external political objectives. This shift acknowledges that sustained organizing requires attention to participants’ ongoing needs and development.
The organization also plans to support mutual aid efforts and local grassroots work while fostering mentorship opportunities. Creative collaborations and career growth initiatives will connect members across different entertainment sectors and career levels. These programs aim to create sustainable support systems that extend beyond individual career advancement.
Mentorship and Creative Collaboration Drive Future Programming
BWIE’s programming will emphasize mentorship relationships between established and emerging professionals in entertainment fields. These connections aim to transfer knowledge, open doors, and provide guidance for career navigation. The mentorship component addresses the historical lack of formal support systems for Black women in entertainment industries.
Creative collaboration initiatives will bring together members for joint projects, artistic endeavors, and business partnerships. These opportunities allow for skill sharing, resource pooling, and expanded creative possibilities. Moreover, collaborative projects can generate economic opportunities while strengthening community bonds among participants.
The focus on career growth recognizes that individual success contributes to collective advancement within the entertainment industry. By supporting members’ professional development, the organization aims to increase Black women’s representation and influence across entertainment sectors. This approach combines personal empowerment with broader systemic change strategies.
Digital Organizing Model Influences Future Community Building Efforts
The success of the WhatsApp-to-national-network progression provides a template for other organizing efforts seeking to create lasting change. The model demonstrates how informal digital communication can evolve into formal organizational structures when supported by genuine community needs. This progression offers lessons for other groups seeking to build sustainable movements.
The organic growth pattern challenges traditional top-down organizing approaches that begin with formal structures and institutional support. Instead, the BWIE model shows how authentic relationships and shared purpose can create powerful networks. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of maintaining informal communication channels even as organizations become more structured.
The digital-first approach also reflects contemporary communication preferences and accessibility needs among working professionals. Virtual organizing allows for participation across geographic boundaries and busy schedules that might otherwise prevent involvement. This flexibility becomes essential for sustaining engagement beyond initial mobilization periods.
Long-term Vision Extends Beyond Entertainment Industry Boundaries
While BWIE focuses specifically on entertainment industry professionals, the organization’s model and mission have broader implications for Black women’s organizing efforts. The success demonstrates how industry-specific networks can address both professional and personal development needs. Additionally, it shows how political mobilization can create lasting community infrastructure.
“Now, we’re choosing to do something that centers us—our growth, our care, and our collective brilliance,” Seymour explained about the organization’s evolved mission. This self-centered approach prioritizes member wellbeing and development rather than external validation or approval. The shift represents a mature understanding of sustainable organizing principles.
The long-term vision includes expanding influence within entertainment industries while maintaining focus on member support and development. Success will be measured not only by individual career advancement but also by collective power building and community strengthening. This balanced approach aims to create lasting change that benefits both current and future generations of Black women in entertainment.
