Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative
Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative
The Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative is dedicated to supplying industry access and resources to preWGA Black screenwriters. The goal of the program is to position and equip Black writers with the knowledge to acquire representation, a staffed writing position, and/or optioned content.
Sep 30, 2026
9 days remaining
1 option
2027
Overview
The Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative, which launched at the start of 2021, is dedicated to supplying industry access and resources to preWGA Black screenwriters.
This mentorship program is a year-long initiative that provides a pathway to eliminating barriers to entry. The program is international and you don’t have to live in Los Angeles to be considered.
Most of the programming is virtual, but out-of-town and international mentees will be flown in at the beginning of the year for the class kick-off and again for the end-of-year class retreat.
The goal of the program is to position and equip Black writers with the resources and knowledge to acquire representation, a staffed writing position, and/or optioned content.
Prizes
Monthly Writer Roundtables with established writers/industry leaders. Past participants include D’Lo Louis (Proximity Media), Deneise Davis (One of Them Days), Ahmadou Seck (VP Scripted, MACRO), Golden Globe Winning Writer Kemp Powers (Soul, One Night in Miami), Kay Oyegun (This is Us), Oscar Winner Peter Ramsey (Co-Director, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse).
Writing workshops to fine-tune their scripts and prepare them for fellowships, generals, and staffing opportunities.
General meetings with Networks and Production Companies. Past participants include Hartbeat, Gilga, FX, Netflix, Hooray Media, Nick Jr., Mattel, Plan B, Macro, and MarVista.
Each mentee will receive the latest in Final Draft software.
Mentees will have access to program mentors/industry professionals: Jackie Penn (4400, The Catch, Turner & Hooch), Andre Ferguson (Power Book II: Ghost), Chris Sanford (Reasonable Doubt), Kira Talise (Wonder Man), Past guest mentors include Steven Canals (Creator, Pose), and Sara Finney Johnson (Creator, Moesha and The Parkers).
At the end of the program, each mentee will have the opportunity to be read by Mike Gauyo’s agents at Culture Creative and Lit Managers at M88, for representation consideration.
Community with the Black Boy & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Alumni Network.
Rules & Guidelines
All applicants must be pre-WGA to qualify. Meaning you must not be a member of the Writers Guild of America.
The first round of the application process will require a bio, one TV half-hour script or one TV one-hour script (of any genre), and a short essay. Multi-cams are accepted.
Half-hour scripts can't be more than 35 pages. One-hour scripts can't be more than 65 pages.
Applicants who reach the third round will interview with Mike Gauyo and his Chief of Programming, Heather Daughtry, before the new cohort is selected.
Mentees accepted into the program must be able to attend all programming events. Exceptions will be made for individuals that have emergency conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to live in Los Angeles?
The program is international and you don’t have to live in Los Angeles to be considered.
- What are the program committments?
This mentorship program is a year-long initiative that provides a pathway to eliminating barriers to entry. Most of the programming is virtual, however, mentees are required to attend two in-person events: the commencement weekend for the class kick-off, and the end-of-year retreat to close out the program.
- Is there an age requirement?
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Can I submit my feature film?
No. Please submit either a TV half-hour script or one TV one-hour script, of any genre.
Half-hour scripts can't be more than 35 pages. One-hour scripts can't be more than 65 pages.
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