About Black Credits
Built for Black Americans.
Black Credits is a research and accountability project dedicated to one question: are Black American actors getting their fair share of the roles, opportunities and recognition in American film?
Who this is for
Black American actors, the audiences who show up for them, and the allies who stand with them.
When we say Black American, we mean people who identify as Black American or African American: Black people whose families' story runs through the history of this country.
Black Americans have shaped American film from its earliest days, in front of the camera and behind it, and as one of its most loyal audiences. This project exists to make sure that contribution is seen, counted and rewarded.
We are clear about who this work serves: Black American artists and the communities that support them. And that community includes our allies: actors, filmmakers and audiences of every background who stand with Black American talent. You're welcome here.
Why we say “Black American” specifically
A headline count of “Black actors” can look like progress while Black American actors are still being passed over.
Black talent from across the African diaspora (African, Caribbean, Black British and more) enriches American film, and we celebrate it. But when every Black performer is counted together, the specific experience of Black American actors can disappear inside the total. So we track Black American identity on its own, and record other Black identities separately and accurately. It's about seeing clearly, not dividing anyone.
Allies welcome
You don't have to be Black American to stand with us.
Change in Hollywood has always had allies: co-stars who insisted on a fair deal, directors who cast with intent, audiences who bought the ticket. If that's you, this is your community too.
Actors & creatives
Co-stars and filmmakers of every background who share their platform, push for inclusive casting and open doors for Black American talent.
People in the industry
Casting directors, producers, agents and studio staff who use the research to make better, fairer decisions.
Audiences
Anyone who wants their ticket, stream or subscription to reward the films that invest in Black American talent.
What we do
Four jobs, done carefully.
We count the roles
Lead, supporting and speaking parts, film by film, so the picture of who is being cast is built from evidence, not impressions.
We publish the research
Trends by year, genre, studio and streaming platform, always with sample sizes and sources, free to read and download.
We open doors
We share verified casting calls and highlight opportunities for emerging Black American actors.
We organise the audience
Members can back films that invest in Black American talent and skip the ones that don't. Every campaign shows its facts.
What we are not
Accountability with integrity.
We don't guess who is Black American.
Identity is recorded only from a person's own public statement or a reliable published source. Otherwise, it says Unknown.
We don't target individuals.
Campaigns are about a film's documented casting record, never about harassing actors, crews or their families.
We don't tell you what to watch.
We show the record. What you watch and buy is always your decision.
We don't rank Black people.
Separating Black American identity from other Black identities is about accuracy, not hierarchy.
The full rules are in our methodology and standards.
Independent
Not funded by a studio. Not owned by a network.
Black Credits is independent. Our only commitments are to accuracy and to the Black American actors, audiences and allies this work is for. If you spot something wrong, tell us. Corrections make the record stronger.