The Narrative's 7053 Profile: James Bland

Originally published 7/17/18

Industry: Entertainment

Occupation: Actor, Producer, Director

Output: Giants, digital webseries

Target community: Creatives

Question: Give an idea on how we can move forward as a Community?

Idea:  Strategic Partnerships

Interview: “We have to begin to lock arms and find out ways that we can partner together,” states James Bland, the creator of the Emmy award winning digital series Giants. “There are diversity issues in the creative economy and often times, the entertainment industry feels like a club house where the doors are closed to people that look like us.”

In one of the most innovative ways to move Community forward through the creative economy, while bolstering its presence in the sector; Bland’s approach to locking arms, resulted in a partnership with LeadersUp. LeadersUp is a talent development accelerator committed to disrupting inefficiencies within the workforce system, by giving opportunity to people of color youths, (ages 18-24) jobs.

 “Through Giants, I partnered with LeadersUp to help fund season 2 of Giants, as well as provide a paid internship for 2 young people of color where they could gain hands on production experience on the set of Giants.” Additionally, Bland goes onto state, “There was a value-add for both of us by expanding our brands through cross-promotion.”

But Bland also has a message specifically for creators in Community to get their content made. “I encourage creators of color to look outside of traditional methods of finance.” In reference to his idea of creating strategic partnerships in the creative economy within Community, he goes onto conclude,  “A rising tide lifts all ships if we’re collectively linked together.”