By: Sara Thorpe
Positive Space Media, a mission-driven media company known for fusing storytelling with community empowerment, has officially launched its newest initiative: The Positive Space Academy Creators Cohort. This nonprofit program is designed to equip teenagers from underserved communities with hands-on media training, mentorship, and career opportunities in the rapidly-evolving media landscape.
Founded in 2017, Positive Space Media has built a footprint in film, advertising, emerging technology, and education. With operations in Chicago, Birmingham, Indianapolis, New York, and Las Vegas, the company has consistently prioritized impact alongside innovation—investing in content and platforms that empower individuals and communities.
The Creators Cohort represents an expansion in alignment with that mission.
A Bold Commitment to Youth and Economic Development
Through this new program, Positive Space Media is addressing a critical gap in access for aspiring creatives aged 16–21, particularly those from underserved communities. Cohort members will receive comprehensive media production training—including cinematography, editing, lighting, journalism, and entrepreneurship—all guided by seasoned professionals in the field.
But the program goes far beyond technical skills. “This isn’t just about teaching teens how to hold a camera,” says Chief Creative Officer Chaim Nazeer. “It’s about giving them the confidence, mentorship, and economic support to see media as a viable career path.”
More Than a Program—A Pipeline
Structured as an economic development initiative, the Creators Cohort will connect students to real-world productions, client-facing projects, and paid internship opportunities. The program also plans to include the Business Impact Fund, which will award micro-grants to small businesses spotlighted in student documentaries. These grants can be allocated for marketing or reinvested into local philanthropic causes—creating a ripple effect of economic impact at the grassroots level.
Each cohort member will work alongside professionals in various fields, allowing them to create content that is both reflective of their communities and indicative of the diverse range of skills needed in today’s media ecosystem. From local news coverage to feature-length documentaries, participants will have the chance to shape the narratives that matter most to them. This approach not only enhances their portfolios but also provides valuable insight into the complexities of the media production process, empowering them to take on leadership roles in the future.
First Cohorts Plan For Launch in Chicago and Birmingham
The inaugural cohorts are launching in Chicago, Illinois and Birmingham, Alabama this year, with Positive Space Media planning expansion to additional communities in the near future. The Positive Space Academy Creators Cohort will run after school and throughout the summer, culminating in professional-grade productions that highlight real stories and local voices.
Positive Space Media’s expansion of this initiative, with plans to grow into additional cities, signifies the company’s ongoing commitment to transforming the media landscape. The program ensures that talent from underrepresented communities will have a direct line to the career opportunities and financial backing needed to thrive in the media industry. The company’s broader vision for the future includes scaling the program to reach even more cities, further contributing to a growing national platform of creative and economic empowerment.
A Platform for National Impact
Positive Space Media has long operated with the belief that media is a tool for real change. With the launch of the Creators Cohort, the company is building a national platform that nurtures talent, uplifts small businesses, and fosters economic opportunity—one story at a time.
