Jash'D Belcher's PowerHouse Academy Builds Black Creative Leaders

Since 2015, Belcher has produced six feature films, showcasing his deep expertise. His credits include *A Boy. A Girl. A Dream.*, starring Meagan Good and Omari Hardwick, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018 before being acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Another notable work, *To Live and Die and Live*, featuring Amin Joseph, returned to Sundance in 2023. He also served as an executive producer for *Death of a Telemarketer*, a comedy-drama that earned the Fan Favorite Film Award at the 2020 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Online Edition and later secured the best feature award at the 2021 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival.

The PowerHouse Academy was conceptualized from a place of both purpose and personal memory for Belcher. He aimed to build the kind of supportive environment he wished he had as a young Black boy "searching for voice, vision, and validation." The academy provides a platform where young Black men can not only create but also "be seen as creators," fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. Belcher's philosophy extends to teaching students to think as both creatives and entrepreneurs, encouraging them with the mantra, "you are your own studio." This means learning to monetize their art, pitch to investors, build a brand, manage invoicing, network effectively, and form strategic partnerships, underscoring that "Creativity without ownership is a hustle. PowerHouse teaches them how to build legacy."

A core methodology of the PowerHouse Academy is "narrative reclamation." Through documentary filmmaking and commercial production, students are encouraged to tell their own stories, thereby affirming their existence and taking control of their narratives. Belcher explained, "Storytelling gives us the power to reclaim our narrative. When these young men hold a camera, write a script, or tell a story from their lens, they're affirming their own existence. They're no longer waiting to be cast, they're casting themselves." This process has been observed to foster significant personal growth, transforming shy or uncertain students into confident leaders capable of public speaking and forming lasting friendships.

The program also serves as a space for healing, where students can unpack their experiences, leading to vulnerability, transparency, and a powerful sense of brotherhood. Parents have consistently reported observing positive changes in their sons, including increased confidence, maturity, discipline, and improved communication skills, following their participation. Living on the Morehouse campus further exposes students to a historically Black college environment, fostering independence, confidence, and aspiration, helping them envision themselves attending college and becoming future leaders. Interacting with successful Black professionals expands their understanding of possibilities and makes their dreams feel attainable.

Belcher's vision for PowerHouse extends beyond the Morehouse campus. He plans to establish a "pipeline from high school to Hollywood through HBCUs" by expanding the PowerHouse academies to other Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Howard University, Florida A&M University (FAMU), Texas Southern University, and Hampton University. This expansion aims to create a national movement where storytelling, mentorship, creativity, and opportunity converge to uplift and empower young Black men across the nation. In addition to his work with PowerHouse Academy, Belcher is a partner at HBCU Power and helped curate the HBCU Power Film & TV Festival, which took place from August 25 to August 27, 2023.