The Story Behind BAYCAT
BAYCAT exists to end racism and sexism through storytelling. In this moving TED Talk, Villy Wang, BAYCAT founder and CEO, explains how she came up with the idea, what hurdles she had to cross, and how she and her team made it happen.
BAYCAT by the Numbers
In the past 15 years, we've educated over 4,250 youth and launched more than 225 careers in filmmaking and storytelling.
78% of our graduates are people of color, and 58% are women.
82% of our graduates have been hired by major media, entertainment, tech, advertising, and PR companies.
Our Vision
BAYCAT believes that every person’s story matters. We envision a world where media and technology facilitate the telling of stories from the broadest possible range of experiences, driving people to create inclusive, equitable communities.
Our Mission
BAYCAT exists to end racial, gender and economic inequity by creating powerful, authentic media while diversifying the creative industry. Through the education and employment of low-income youth, young people of color, and young women in the Bay Area, and producing media for socially-minded clients, we are changing the stories that get shared with the world.
Meet Our Team
Forward-thinking. Dedicated. Relentless.
BAYCAT's success is a direct result of our passionate staff and board,
made up of industry professionals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Marianne Wilman
Vice Chair
Business Presence, LLC
BAYCAT means building skills, generating confidence, creating opportunities. BAYCAT changes lives in front of your eyes.
Craig Peters
Secretary
Awasu Design
The most important reason I love BAYCAT is that the program builds genuine skills. Creativity, opportunity, and sustainability are not just buzz words.
Charles Patton
Treasurer
CBP
BAYCAT positively impacts the SF community due to strong leadership, a unique business model and the relationships it's built over these years.
Cynthia Lee
Board Member
Rakuten Americas
The way we can teach people is through visualization and the sharing of stories with common threads. Without storytelling experiences, people do not realize they are projecting racism because it has become common behavior in society. There are countless stories that need to be heard and BAYCAT is the platform to help achieve this.
Amanda Chin-De Jesus
Board Member
Golden State Warriors
I’m really proud of the work the Warriors have been able to do with BAYCAT and personally I am really passionate about good storytelling and providing opportunities for youth.
Chhayal Mehta
Board Member
Masterclass
It's my privilege to serve the BAYCAT board and empower our underserved communities, through education and job opportunities, to be the next generation of storytellers.
Jason Lee
Board Member
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
I joined BAYCAT because I believe they provide a platform for the expression of ideas and sharing of individual human experiences is invaluable.
Jason Robinson
Board Member
As a member of the board, I especially appreciate the unique channel for making a systemic impact on my immediate community
Hanna Bankier
Board Member
Working Solutions Group
The way BAYCAT teaches not just the hard technical skills, but puts just as much emphasis on the much needed soft skills speaks to me. As a storyteller and as a consumer of stories, I fully understand the value and importance of diversifying the storytellers.
Meet Our Board
Kim Diaz
Board Member
Pixar
BAYCAT’s mission resonates deeply with me. I was the first person to go to college in my immediate family, and one of the few women in my animation program in college.
Lauren Zaner
Board Member
The work that the youth and teens are producing based on the lessons and support they get through BAYCAT is so impressive, and excites me about what their future has to hold individually as well as it’s broader impact on social inequity.
Lisa Luscap
Board Member
Snowflake
I attended a BAYCAT youth screening event and was blown away by the insights and bravery that was conveyed through the youth pieces. Coming from tech and entertainment, I've seen the underrepresentation first hand and believe that each of us, as leaders in our own areas, need to be a part of the change we want to see.
Oliver de Albuquerque
Board Member
BAYCAT serves a critical purpose: create more opportunities for under privileged kids in the Bay Area through high quality curriculum, a stellar Intern program and via its Studio that serves socially conscious clients.
Elissa Arkinstall
Board Member
PwC
As a Diversity & Inclusion champion, I’m inspired and excited by BAYCAT's vision & mission. I love the intersection of personal & professional across storytelling, creativity & digital media to make a difference in our communities.
Ricky Spencer
Board Member
Mechanics Bank
I believe in BAYCAT's mission so much because I've personally seen my family and community members benefit from their high-quality programs and the care that their team brings to each person they serve.
Shana Stanton
Board Member
YouTube
As an attorney in the Bay Area tech field for over ten years, I see first hand just how important it is for the next generation of creators to reflect all of the unique perspectives of our community.
Meet Our Builders
Ben Murninghan
Argo Group
Cameo Wood
Charming Stranger Films
Celine Cuevas
DJ Satoda
Scoop Technology
Hannah Clemmons
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Janet Lee
Salesforce
Jara Montez
Coursera
Kasey Morrison
DigitalFish
Kirk Morris
Liz Morrison
Airbnb
Mina Park
Salesforce
Madeleine Fernando
Capcom
Nicole Barton
KQED
Robyn Ribotsky
Samar Marwan
Hella High
