Keep Walking - First Strides

GINA SMALL

GINA PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD

Gina Prince-Bythewood is a wildly prolific director, writer and producer, and longtime advocate for equal representation in the industry. Her films are known for their authentic, character-driven narratives. Prince-Bythewood’s piece was inspired by the bold spirit of her films, and their iconic characters and textures.    Designed by Abi Rennie  Fabricated by The London Embroidery Studio

Explore their stories

WATCH MORE WOMEN-MADE FILMS

Johnnie Walker has teamed up with MUBI to offer 30 days free to stream incredible films made by women. Redeem below now.

WITH WOMEN IN FILM, WE’RE EMPOWERING WOMEN TO TELL THE STORIES THAT SHAPE OUR CULTURE

A white circle with the text "Advancing Equality in the Screen Industries" around the outside and "WIF" in large, bold letters in the middle.

As part of a long-standing commitment to gender equity, our partnership with WIF will help break barriers and build a pipeline of women from underrepresented communities into the film industry.

We’re proud to join WIF and celebrate the 65 women who have been nominated for an award this year as the presenting partner for the 16th Annual WIF Oscar Party.

THE STRONG KNOWS STRONG COCKTAIL

GIVE YOUR WATCH PARTIES AN EXTRA KICK WITH A COCKTAIL THAT’S EQUAL PARTS SMOKY, SOUR, AND SWEET.

You’ll need:

1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Black Label
0.5 oz Darjeeling Tea Syrup
0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 dash Angostura Bitters
2 oz Ginger Beer

In a Collins glass, combine Black Label, tea syrup, lemon juice, and bitters. Stir twice, counterclockwise and top with ginger beer. Garnish with candied ginger and a lemon twist.

Cocktail Image

ANGEL CITY FOOTBALL CLUB X LOS ANGELES TRAILBLAZERS

Continuing to empower and uplift women in partnership with IFundWomen and Angel City Football Club, the Johnnie Walker ‘First Strides’ initiative honored Los Angeles-based innovators by dedicating home games to their contributions to culture.

UPRISERS is a first-of-its-kind brand where fashion meets activism with community at the core. Founded by Michelle K. Hanabusa in 2016, the brand is based in LA but transmits powerful messages globally, disrupting social norms and amplifying diverse stories. UPRISERS have fuel campaigns such as #MagandangMorenx to challenge traditional beauty standards, and #HATEISAVIRUS to combat racism and xenophobia during the pandemic. This isn’t just streetwear – it’s streetwear with a purpose, a microphone for the underrepresented paving the road for progress.
VIEW MICHELLE’S WORK
The future of music is female and freelance. That’s what makes GRITTY IN PINK, a community of diverse womxn creators in the music industry, so strong. Shira Yevin’s mission is equitable, and her drive is radical. From crashing Warped Tour – a male-dominated music festival – with her band Shiragirl and a pink RV, to hosting Instagram Live fundraisers during lockdown, she’s always made power moves to push progress. Now with INPINK, Shira’s ready to capitalize on the market with a network that caters to diverse womxn freelancers and elevates the entire music industry. She’s punk, she’s pink and she’s fearlessly in pursuit of change.
VIEW SHIRA’S WORK

GINA SMALL

Gina Prince-Bythewood is a wildly prolific director, writer and producer, and longtime advocate for equal representation in the industry. Her films are known for their authentic, character-driven narratives. Prince-Bythewood’s piece was inspired by the bold spirit of her films, and their iconic characters and textures.    Designed by Abi Rennie  Fabricated by The London Embroidery Studio

ANA SMALL

Ana Lily Amirpour made her directorial debut in 2014 and immediately tore the mainstream to shreds with her distinctive creative vision and stylistic sense of adventure. Amirpour’s piece is inspired by her films, her outlaw approach to filmmaking, and her mantra “to make the weird real.” Designed by Johnny Cole Fabricated by The London Embroidery Studio

WANURI SMALL

Wanuri Kahiu is an acclaimed filmmaker, speaker, and science fiction writer whose work champions the need for fun, fierce and frivolous African art. Kahiu’s piece takes inspiration from her approach to filmmaking and the bold, colorful joy present across her work. Designed by Kavel Raferty Fabricated by The London Embroidery Studio

JANICZA SMALL

Janicza Bravo is an acclaimed writer and director known for breaking boundaries in both cinema and television. Bravo’s piece heroes a quote of hers and uses color and shape to nod to both her work and the films that have inspired it. Designed by Keller Grimmer Fabricated by The London Embroidery Studio

JULIE SMALL

Julie Dash was the first African-American woman to have a feature film receive a wide theatrical release and has continued to innovate in the worlds of cinema, television, and fine art ever since. Dash’s piece is inspired by her journey as a filmmaker, the lush atmospheres of her films, and the doors she opened for others in the industry. Designed by King Owusue & Abi Rennie Fabricated by The London Embroidery Studio

CHRISTINE SMALL

Christine Choy is an electrifying artist behind and beyond the camera. Choy’s piece celebrates the defiant spirit of her documentaries, pulling inspiration from the films themselves, the American justice system, and protest sign iconography. Designed by Johnny Cole Fabricated by The London Embroidery Studio

CLAIRE SMALL

Claire Denis has created an inventive body of work and is widely recognized as an inspired director and screenwriter with a vivacious and trenchant perspective. Denis’ piece draws from the atmospheric richness of her films, her imaginative characters, and her human-first approach to filmmaking. Designed by Abi Rennie Fabricated by The London Embroidery Studio

The Johnnie Walker x Blacktag First Strides Creator Grant Program is an empowering initiative to bring Black creators’ visions into fruition through exposure, funding and mentorship. In celebration of those leading the next generation of cultural curators, the program is proud to announce its first five grant recipients who will develop and produce their next project alongside the Blacktag team with powerhouse writer and producer Kenya Barris.

SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT GRANT PROGRAM HERE

CHIDOZIE EKWENSI
As a queer first generation Nigerian American artist, Chidozie Ekwensi draws inspiration from his own experiences to encourage others facing similar realities. Based in Brooklyn, he is currently crafting his latest work [quarter life] — a semi-autobiographical series following a 25-year-old NYC creative searching for love and meaning after coming out to his parents and quitting the corporate world. Through authentic and humorous storytelling, Chidozie strives to showcase fresh perspectives within the exploration of defining one’s identity.
VIEW CHIDOZIE’S WORK
AMANDA GORDON
Aspiring to specialize in originating unique stories, writer and director Amanda Gordon has recently been tapping into the paradox of desirability that coincides with Black women at the disposal of public judgement. Nuts, Amanda’s developing coming of age short film, revolves around a single night ensuing of comedic chaos and personal growth through the lens of religion, friendship, and desire. Her narratives reflect reality as one is met with truths behind the stakes that come with a desperate longing for acceptance.
VIEW AMANDA'S WORK
SKYLAR ROCHON
Unfiltered narratives about young Black womanhood are at the core of NYC-based Sarah Rochon’s hyperbolic, slightly comedic, and vigilantly honest writing. Most recently, she has been developing a dramatic-comedy web series called the first 30 days, centered around the journeys of 3 roommates navigating a new city together. Sarah’s desire to uncover the unspoken struggles and perplexing experiences of adulting connect her with audiences through transparent vulnerability.
VIEW SKYLAR'S WORK
LACHELLE WATSON
Writer and director LaChelle Watson uses her creative platform to amplify voices of marginalized communities. Her latest short film in progress titled One of The Guys is inspired by LaChelle’s past as a woman in the music industry, unravelling the complexities of platonic male-female relationships and subliminal toxic masculinity within close-knit friendships. Bold ideas and thought-provoking themes encapsulate her work her work, aiming to shed a light on everyday experiences that are often overlooked.
VIEW LACHELLE'S WORK
JUAN WOOD II
Juan Wood is an actor, writer, and producer who seeks to portray Black characters in ways they’ve never been depicted before. His up and coming film project Movers tells the story of two money-hungry brothers who share the same intellect for heinous activities, but find conflict in morality, leading to a rocky shift from being trivial thieves to meticulous heist men. Through humility and empathy, Juan provides his audiences with insight into the lives of those who are cut from different sides of the same culture.
VIEW JUAN'S WORK