Black Women Photographers x Nikon Grants

Back for a third year, applications for the Black Women Photographers x Nikon Grants are open now. Apply for an opportunity to take home part of $50,000 in project-based and business grants and the latest Nikon mirrorless Z series gear. 

Timeline: Applications are now CLOSED.

All recipients will be contacted by March 2024.

$50K Grant Breakdown:

(1) $10,000 Grant: Grant amount per recipient: $10,000 USD.

(5) $5,000 Grants: Grant amount per recipient: $5,000 USD.

(5) $3,000 Grants: Grant amount per recipient: $3,000 USD.

Note: The $10K grant and $5K grants are to fund the completion of a visual project.

Note: The $3K grants are to help ease the burden of business expenses.

Nikon Gear Breakdown:

(1) Z 8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.8

(1) Z 7II and 28-75mm f/2.8

(1) Z 6II 28-75mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/1.8

(1) Z fc + 16-50mm Lens Kit

(1) Z 30 One Lens Kit

 FAQ.

  • Yes, you can apply for our grant opportunities while waiting to hear back about the status of your application. If you have not yet applied formally, please do so here. If you applied and have not heard back, please send an email to:

    memberships@blackwomenphotographers.com

  • Yes, we create opportunities and resources like the BWP x Nikon grants to include our international members. All international-based applicants are welcome to apply.

  • These grants are made possible by Nikon’s support. You do not have to be a Nikon user to apply.

  • If you’re having trouble applying, please send an email to:

    grants@blackwomenphotographers.com

  • All grant awards are in US dollars.

  • Yes, but you can only be awarded one grant. Please submit separate applications for each grant.

  • Applications open on January 17, 2024, and close on February 17, 2024 at 11:59pm EST. The recipients will be contacted and announced by the end of March 2024.

  • Audrey Woulard, Inari Briana, Endia Beal, Zandile Ndhlovu, Gina Danza, Hilaire Baumgartner, and CreativeSoul Photography,

Meet Our Second Class

#BWPxNikon

🖤💛

#BWPxNikon 🖤💛

  • Tiffany Alexander - El Paso, Texas

  • Recipient 1: Alexandra Obochi - Abuja, Nigeria

    Recipient 2: Destinee Condison - Kingston, Jamaica

    Recipient 3: Jay Gash - Oakland, California

    Recipient 4: Rhoda Tchokokam - Paris, France

    Recipient 5: Sontenish Myers - New York, New York

  • Recipient 1: Danielle Alakija - Vuda, Fiji and London, UK

    Recipient 2: Mandisha Nicole - Richmond, Virginia

    Recipient 3: Jazzmine M. Taylor - San Diego, California

    Recipient 4: Ryla Dapremont - Detroit, Michigan

    Recipient 5: Tasha Burton - St. Louis, Missouri

  • Tonya Caver - Baltimore, Maryland

    Z 6II and 28-75mm f/2.8 Kit

    Edwina Hay - New York, New York

    Z 7II and 28-75mm f/2.8 Kit

    Andréa Benton - Cincinnati, Ohio and the United Kingdom

    Z 6II and 24-70mm f/4S Kit + 35mm f/1.8S Kit

    Amanda Davis - Washington, DC

    Z fc + 16-50mm Kit

  • "Receiving this grant has been a life-changing experience for me as a photographer. It has allowed me to pursue my passion for capturing the stories of black motherhood in a way that I never thought possible. With this grant, I have been able to dedicate myself fully to this project, and to explore the challenges and wisdoms of black motherhood in a way that I hope will inspire and empower others! I am excited to see where this project takes me, and to continue exploring the stories of black motherhood in new and creative ways."

    Tiffany Alexander

  • "It still feels very surreal to me that I was selected. After my first time applying, I just gave up; my second application was one I put my heart into, but I was sure I wasn't going to get it. I'm very grateful to have been picked as my project is one I've been battling to create since I began the project in 2021 due to a lack of funds and resources. Words cannot truly express my joy in knowing I'd finally be able to bring my creations to life; thank you, BWP, this is the best community. Thank you, Nikon USA, for continuously uplifting Black women, especially ones like me, Black, Nigerian and queer. I cannot wait to create magic."

    Alexa Obochi

  • "I was in the process of saving up for a new mirrorless camera when I learned that Black Women Photographers and Nikon were giving me a Nikon Z7II and 28-75mm f/2.8 lens. I feel like I'm still processing this unbelievable news! I am extremely thankful to both BWP and Nikon for selecting me as a recipient of this grant. I've been shooting with Nikon DSLRs since 2006 (shout out to the Nikon D50 and D200!) and thanks to this grant, I can now go completely mirrorless and make my camera bag lighter much earlier than I anticipated. This gives me the ability to put the money I have saved so far toward digitizing my old 35mm film images to publish online and sign up for a flash photography course in May. I absolutely cannot wait to create new work with this brand new kit, and I promise that I will put it to very good use. Thank you!"

    Edwina Hay

  • "I'm so honored and surprised to be a grantee! I almost didn't apply at all, thinking that the photos I took with my phone or with my inexpensive film cameras wouldn't be good enough. But the day I applied, my mother and sister had both taken time to drive me around to make pictures, and I thought, if they're willing to believe in my art, why shouldn't I believe in it, too? I'm so grateful to have all this support from my family and from BWP, and I can't wait to get shooting with my gorgeous new Nikon Z fc!"

    Amanda Davis

  • "Sometimes we need milestone mirrors to remind us to keep going. For me, the BWP x Nikon grant did just that! It's given me such a great feeling of empowerment, visibility and opportunity. Creation often costs, and with my grant winnings I'll be able to kickstart a new photo studio space and cover business expenses. I never had the courage to apply for a grant before, and here's what taking a chance looks like. So honored to be a recipient. Black women keep going!"

    Mandisha Nicole

  • "My project is 50% completed, but in order to meet my goal of photographing 10-15 subjects, I need to travel to multiple cities. As my deadline approaches, the opportunity seemed out of reach. Thankfully, the BWPxNikon Grant has made this travel possible, and I can meet more courageous subjects willing to have their stories heard and their images captured.”

    Tasha Burton

  • "Let me start with this: I honestly didn't expect to be selected. I applied for the BWP x Nikon grant last year and wasn't selected, and I was sure it was because my work wasn't that good. I never received any type of photography training, and I only used the camera on my cell phone so such a novice like myself would never be worthy of such an opportunity, right? Nah. Dead wrong. Despite all of the negative self-talk, I applied again. And, sure enough, I was selected! It's easy to allow all of the noise to make you think you aren't worthy of great things, and to disqualify yourself before you even began. Don't sell yourself short because you'll find that there are people who believe in what you're doing, so always believe in yourself."

    Andréa Benton

  • "I STILL can't believe I won! I have never ever owned a piece of new camera equipment.I no longer have to rent better equipment for my high profile gigs. Winning the Z6ii is life changing. And to top it off it came with a dope lens too? Someone please pinch me because I am still dreaming. Thank you so much Nikon USA and Black Women Photographers for seeing the best in me and giving me this opportunity to propel my career! This will open the doors to amazingly creative projects and adventures. My gratitude is infinite and my excitement is uncontrollable!!"

    Tonya Caver

  • "I am so happy to have been awarded a Black Women Photographers x Nikon grant! It is a powerful reminder that my voice and perspective are valued in the world of photography and that people and organizations are committed to helping me succeed. With the help of this grant, I look forward to continuing to hone my craft, capture beautiful moments, and inspire others through my work. I am deeply grateful for the support and recognition this grant represents."

    Jazzmine Taylor

  • "I can genuinely say that the day I received the phone call informing me I was a grantee has been the best of the year so far! To have someone believe in your work is something special, and to have them believe enough to support it is something spectacular. A million thank yous to BWP and Nikon USA for supporting this project, and using their support and influence to uplift black and brown voices everyday!"

    Danielle Alakija

  • "I am both floored and honored to be a Black Women Photographers Nikon Grantee this year. There is an inherent urgency in a project that focuses on documenting the Elders in my life. This financial support will accelerate the most central part of this process: visiting, interviewing, and capturing their experiences and way of life. Thank you BWP for the gift of more time with my elders, and to tell their stories. It is my hope that the work can be an offering to my community —a roadmap or looking glass to those who witness it. Archiving is activism."

    Sontenish Myers

  • "Thank you Black Women Photographers and Nikon USA for seeing me, believing in my vision, and creating opportunities like this. It’s such a tremendous honor to be recognized and be in the company of so many other amazing Black women and storytellers. I never could have imagined that I’d be getting support to fund a photography project close to my heart but I’m so glad I decided to apply for the BWP x Nikon again, it feels like such an affirming full circle moment. Little me is very proud and excited for what’s to come. I can’t wait to get started on my project!"

    Jay Gash

Meet Our First Class

#BWPxNikon

🖤💛

#BWPxNikon 🖤💛

  • Tiffany Sutton - St. Louis, Missouri

  • Toni Shaw - Greensboro, North Carolina

    Wanjiku Gitau - Nairobi, Kenya

    Zhané GayByrd - Oakland, California

    Clara Watt - Geneva, Switzerland

  • Nicky Quamina-Woo - New York and Southeast Asia

    DeLovie Kwagala - Kampala, Uganda 

    Ornelle Chimi - Washington, DC

    Melissa Bunni Ellen - New York, New York

    Karene Jean-Baptiste - Montreal, Canada

  • Z 5 and 24-50mm lens

    Rukie Jumah - Abuja, Nigeria

    Z 6 and 24-70mm f/4 S lens

    Inari Briana - Atlanta, Georgia

    Z 6II and 24-70mm f/4S kit + 35mm f/1.8S lens

    Jamie Walker - Cincinnati, Ohio

    Z 7II and 24-70mm f/4S kit + 85mm f/1.8S + 35mm f/1.8S lens

    Ramona Hernandez - Atlanta, Georgia

  • "My first international residency in my exploration of myself and Black women in Northern European countries was wonderful, impactful, and serene. I’m so grateful to Black Women Photographers + Nikon; it made me into a better woman and a better photographer. If you are considering applying to the Black Women Photographers + Nikon Grant, DO IT. The experience has been overwhemly wonderful. I know it sounds corny, but always bet on yourself."

    Tiffany

  • "Visual creation isn't just about projects, it's about the whole state of being of the creator. Nikon X BWP helped me obtain a new tool that would have taken me months to save for, which allowed me more mental and spiritual capacity to work on other areas of my life as a visual creator. That's why I'm thankful for the open nature of this grant. It provided the support I needed to suit the specific ways I desired to grow.”

    Bunni

  • "Being the recipient of the Nikon Z 6II is something out of my wildest dreams. I am humbled and honored that Polly Irungu, the grant committee, and Nikon saw something valuable in my journey as a photographer. There are no words for the depth of my gratitude for this community of Black Women Photographers; To be uplifted by them is a privilege I won't take for granted."

    Jamie

  • “The BWPxNikon grant has been a dream come true— seriously!! The grant has allowed me to fund a project I dreamed of seeing through for years. I have been able to buy new equipment, studio time, and travel to participants to alleviate any burden from them."

    Zhané

  • "I used most of the funds I received to get my dream zoom lens which is a 24-70mm. Honestly, I haven't taken it off my camera since I bought it. It gives me the versatility I need for most of the projects I shoot. This project for example, was set around celebrating the triumphs of a Black Belgian dancer and influencer during women's history month. I love the quality I was able to get with these images thanks to my new lens."

    Ornelle

  • "I had gotten a fellowship that only catered to the production of the work, which also wasn't enough, and I found myself scraping around to sustain me and the project all at once. When I won the $3000, I was ecstatic! I have applied to alot of grants and never really got a chance to actually win, so this really made me feel seen and had, and because of how sensitive the queer work I do in the mostly homophobic countries, this was an affirmation that we can also make it."

    DeLovie

  • "When I tell you I am so grateful for BWP and Nikon… you’d have no idea! Because of their generous contribution, I have been able to land the jobs I have always wanted to land. When I was first gifted the Nikon, I was so excited but also nervous because I had no idea what I wanted to shoot. However, it didn’t take long for my creativity to soar. The crispiness in my images was superb, and I never wanted to put my camera down. I created so much that I landed opportunities with SavageXFenty, Meta (Facebook), and even Nikon themselves!"

    Inari