BOMESI Gets $750K Boost to Expand Black-Owned Media Support
BOMESI, the Black-Owned Media Equity & Sustainability Institute, has received a significant boost with a $750,000 grant from Press Forward. This funding will enable BOMESI to expand its ad network and accelerator work, supporting Black and diverse-owned media platforms. Co-founded by Rhonesha Byng and DéVon Christopher Johnson, BOMESI aims to find, sustain, and connect these media outlets with brands and funders.
BOMESI's impact is evident in its Accelerator program, which has helped Black and diverse publishers become 'business-ready' for larger brand deals and ad partnerships. All cohorts have remained operational after graduation, with participants reporting life-changing outcomes. One founder even credited the program with saving their business.
Starting with a database of 50 Black-owned media platforms, BOMESI has grown this network to over 300. The organization operates on three pillars: ecosystem, education, and economic empowerment. Its annual Summit serves as a key community-building event, with future programming and Cohort 5 applications in the works.
BOMESI's innovative Bomisi Scale, an IP-backed, weighted revenue model, allows groups of publishers to win deals together while redistributing a portion of the proceeds to lift smaller sites. This presents opportunities for entrepreneurs and advertisers, including partnership efficiency and measurable DEI impact and ROI.
With the $750,000 grant from Press Forward, BOMESI is poised to expand its ad network and accelerator work, further supporting and connecting Black and diverse-owned media platforms. The organization's unique approach, including the Bomisi Scale, offers promising prospects for both entrepreneurs and advertisers seeking to engage with these media outlets.
