Belva Davis, Reporting

This is the untold story of TV pioneer, Belva Davis, who broke color and gender barriers to become the first Black on-air newswoman west of the Mississippi. More than a biopic, this is a story of the times as Belva covered the nation’s growing civil rights struggle and the often-tumultuous City of San Francisco.

Our Goals:

Inspiration. It is our goal to inspire young people to follow their dreams. Belva succeeded in a time before there were role models, in an industry that was not eager to put Black people on the air, in a time decades before diversity, equity and inclusion were company goals.

Education. We hope the finished film will not only appeal to a wide audience but be useful in classrooms—as part of studying American history, and in journalism classes where students will see how one woman managed to kick down doors of discrimination.

Art Awareness. Belva had a particular interest in the arts, and Black artists, as we will show by her support of the first major exhibition of African American Art at a major San Francisco museum (the DeYoung Museum). The film should raise awareness of the diversity of Black artists and question why so few have been represented in the American art scene.

Thank You for Donating to Our Cause

Belva Davis, Reporting aligns with the IDA’s mission by using impactful storytelling to inspire and empower audiences. Make your contribution today!