Los Angeles, CA – April 27, 2022 – Hidden Empire Film Group has received an award for a third consecutive year at the Webby Awards. Specifically, two of the group’s leading brands, “Be Woke.Vote” and “Black History in Two Minutes (or so)” were recognized with awards for their excellence in social media content. Backed by entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert F. Smith, who serves as Executive Producer for the podcast and the vanguard behind the voting program, these unique initiatives educate and empower African Americans through their digital campaigns. Smith, who is Founder, Chairman and CEO of global private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, has long supported bold endeavors that “liberate a human spirit,” which these educational programs aspire to do.
Be Woke.Vote Wins Its First Webby
Be Woke.Vote, an initiative that aims to inspire young people to exercise their right to vote and become involved with politics through social media campaigns and live events, was recognized with its first ever Webby Award in 2022. Aimed at an often disenfranchised and not politically active generation of urban youth, Be Woke.Vote began as a podcast and has blossomed into a national movement to register and educate new voters.
The initiative received the award in the “News & Politics (Series & Campaigns) Social” category for “Social media content focused on sharing news and political information. Entries in this category include content series, franchises, and campaigns created for social. Platform agnostic.”
Robert F. Smith has said on the power of our right to vote, “Let’s let nothing stand in the way of having our voices heard and building a country that we deserve. Vote. Vote. Vote. Vote. Vote.”
Founded and conceptualized by Smith, film director Deon Taylor, film producer Roxanne Avent and creative director Darrick Angelone, Be Woke.Vote was previously nominated at the 2019 Webby Awards for its video podcast series of the same name.
Learn more about Be Woke.Vote by following their work on Instagram.
Black History in Two Minutes (or so) Honored for Third Year
For the third consecutive year Black History in Two Minutes (or so) has been recognized by the Webby Awards.
The digital video series, which has now won a total of five Webby Awards, received its latest nod in 2022 under the “Education & Discovery (Video) Social” category — its third straight win in the category. The Webby honors “Social video that advocates education, learning, and discovery; including social films about animals and wildlife, the environment, etc. Platform agnostic.”
Smith is the founder and serves as an Executive Producer of Black History in Two Minutes (or so), which shares vital but often glossed over moments of African American history with short videos and educational materials. The series explains the impact of historical events and important Black history makers in ways that people of all races and ages can understand.
The series is hosted by Executive Producer Henry Louis Gates Jr., an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar and Black history icon. In addition, filmmakers Dyllan McGee and Deon Taylor also serve as Executive Producers for the program.
Explore the series’ archive of current episodes and follow Black History in Two Minutes (or so) on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest videos.
About Hidden Empire Film Group
Hidden Empire Film Group is an independent film company that has produced captivating content across many different platforms and disciplines.
The company was co-founded by writer, filmmaker, director and idea generator, Deon Taylor alongside producer Roxanne Avent Taylor. The company received financial backing from Smith who currently serves as Executive Producer. Taylor and Avent Taylor act as Co-CEOs.
For further information on Hidden Empire Film Group, follow the company on Instagram and Twitter.
