The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters is teaming up with Onyx Impact to launch a new initiative aimed at helping Black creators turn influence into sustainable, scalable media businesses.
Announced Thursday, the NABOB Creator Mastermind is a 12-week program created to address some of the biggest barriers Black creators continue to face in the rapidly growing creator economy — including monetization, measurement, infrastructure, and access to major brand partnerships.
The initiative is being launched through Onyx Impact’s Invest in Black Media campaign and arrives at a time when brands are pouring more money into creator-led advertising while simultaneously demanding more standardized analytics, brand-safe content ecosystems, and scalable partnership opportunities.
According to NABOB, the program is designed to close that gap by helping creators build enterprise-ready media brands rather than simply operate as individual influencers.
Twenty-five creators will be selected for the inaugural cohort, where they’ll receive mentorship, business development support, monetization strategies, and operational frameworks often reserved for larger media companies and agencies.
“The disconnect between cultural impact and capital access remains one of the biggest inefficiencies in today’s media ecosystem,” said Jim Winston. “Black creators consistently drive engagement and shape consumer behavior, yet lack equitable access to the systems that translate that influence into sustained revenue. This program is designed to bridge that gap — for both creators and the brands looking to partner with them at scale.”
The curriculum will focus heavily on the business side of content creation, including audience analytics, AI integration, cross-platform distribution, IP development, deal structuring, and advertiser readiness. NABOB says the goal is to create a pipeline of vetted creator-led media properties that agencies and brands can confidently invest in long term.
Participants will also gain direct exposure to media buyers and national brands throughout the program.
The mastermind will culminate with the Creator Upfronts this October, where creators will pitch integrated media offerings to advertisers using a structure modeled after traditional television and digital upfront presentations — a move intended to position creator-led businesses within familiar advertising buying cycles.
Esosa Osa emphasized the broader cultural significance behind the initiative.
“Black storytelling has always held the line on truth in America,” Osa said. “At a time when our truth, our history, and our culture are being erased and attacked, the Invest in Black Media campaign is key to protecting that legacy. The NABOB Creator Mastermind meets the moment by helping creators not just make content, but own the platforms, data, and deals behind it on their own terms.”
Applications for the NABOB Creator Mastermind open May 14 and close June 15, 2026. NABOB is also seeking partnerships with brands and agencies interested in early access to a curated pipeline of enterprise-ready Black creator talent.