| About the 2025 award: $100,000 for general operating support. |
The Black Action Network Committee (BANC) is a Black-led organization based in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, working at the intersection of art, mental health, and economic development. BANC creates culturally grounded programming that equips Black artists, entrepreneurs and community members with the tools, resources and opportunities needed to build sustainable careers and stronger communities.
Through initiatives like Thinking Above the Line—a filmed conversation series and community luncheon experience—BANC addresses the social and economic impact of racism by combining storytelling, trauma-informed dialogue and practical strategy. Their work creates spaces where individuals can process real challenges, expand their thinking, and take actionable steps toward growth, ownership and long-term success.
BANC also operates as a creative and economic engine, leveraging media production, partnerships and community engagement to generate opportunities for artists and collaborators. The organization’s work is rooted in lived experience, with leadership and contributors who come directly from the communities they serve.
Under the leadership of executive director Seth Whitted, BANC is building a model that connects creativity, healing and economic empowerment—helping individuals break cycles, recognize their value and create lasting impact.