SPNN’s mission is to empower people to use media and communications to make better lives, use authentic voice, and build common understanding. The stories we see in mass media impact the beliefs, ideas, and values that shape the way our world operates. Too often, the dominant narrative is controlled by those with money and access because they have the tools and resources to disseminate a story. SPNN believes that everyone should have access to the tools and resources to create media.

Since 1984, SPNN has created intentional media programming for the Twin Cities with a focus on BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Currently led by Interim Executive Director Bonnie Schumacher, SPNN staff provide programs and classes to help youth and adults learn media-making and storytelling skills and SPNN’s cable channels and social media are a platform to share those stories with local communities. SPNN’s cohort-based documentary programs provide access to industry-standard tools and training for filmmakers and media artists with beginning through advanced skills. SPNN’s Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) AmeriCorps program places up to 35 AmeriCorps members throughout the Twin Cities in nonprofits, libraries, and workforce centers to teach basic digital literacy and job search skills. SPNN also partners with other organizations to create video content in the field and in their on-site television studio to cover local events and provide valuable civic content.

Jerome Foundation supports St. Paul Neighborhood Network’s New Angle Fellows program. Six early career Minnesota-based documentary filmmakers, creating their own work and hoping to get to the next step in their filmmaking journey, have the opportunity to learn skills and knowledge from more advanced filmmakers and gain support from one another. The program runs for seven months, with the cohort meeting twice per month. Once each month, a visiting artist comes in to talk about cinematography, pitching, budgets, and grants, or the group takes a field trip. Fellows also receive a stipend to support them in producing their documentary and access to SPNN equipment with the goal of completing a strong sample of their film. At the end of the program artists attend the final pitch screening where they pitch their film to the community and show their sample. Za’Nia Coleman, Program Specialist, manages this program.