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ABOUT
Who We Are
The Black Entertainment Museum Foundation (BEMU) is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum and cultural institution dedicated to documenting, preserving, celebrating, and sharing the contributions of Black creatives throughout the entertainment industry, both in front of the spotlight and behind the scenes.
Founded in 2022, BEMU preserves the stories, achievements, artifacts, and legacies of the artists, craftspeople, executives, innovators, and pioneers whose work has shaped film, television, theater, music, dance, animation, fashion, digital media, and entertainment culture.
More than a museum, BEMU is building a permanent cultural institution that connects history with opportunity. Through exhibitions, educational programs, oral histories, archives, technology-driven experiences, workforce development, mentorship, and community programming, we are creating opportunities for new generations to discover not only who made history, but also the careers and possibilities available to them today.
Our vision is to establish a permanent home in Los Angeles that serves as a cultural destination and community resource while advancing cultural preservation, education, technology, tourism, workforce development, community engagement, and economic opportunity.
Why We Exist
Black creativity has shaped entertainment and culture around the world, yet too many of the people behind that impact have gone undocumented, underrecognized, or forgotten.
BEMU exists to change that.
We honor the celebrated icons whose work transformed entertainment while bringing greater visibility to the creators, professionals, craftspeople, executives, and pioneers whose contributions helped make that work possible.
By preserving these stories and making them accessible to future generations, BEMU ensures that Black creative history is not only remembered, but used to inspire what comes next.
Because if a child can see it, they can be it.
BLACK ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY
Yet many of the artists, creators, craftspeople, executives, and innovators who shaped film, television, music, theater, and emerging media remain missing from the institutions responsible for preserving our cultural memory.
The Black Entertainment Museum Foundation was established to help change that.
our mission
The mission of the Black Entertainment Museum Foundation is to chronicle, memorialize, celebrate, and pay tribute to the lives and work of Black creative talent across all areas of the entertainment industry.
What BEMu Preserves
BEMu is committed to preserving and presenting the materials and stories that bring Black entertainment history to life, including:
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Original works and historical artifacts
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Costumes, props, photographs, and memorabilia
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Archival film, television, and performance footage
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Oral histories and personal accounts
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Stories of artists, executives, craftspeople, and industry pioneers
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Milestones that shaped entertainment and popular culture
our VISION
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to education, celebration, and inspiration. The BEMu Foundation is more than a museum—it is a dynamic cultural institution. This historic museum is dedicated to telling the stories of individual artists whose contributions, both in front of and behind the camera, have made significant contributions to the entertainment landscape as well as society around the world where visitors can:
Explore the contributions of Black entertainers and creative talent who have broken barriers in Hollywood and beyond.
Learn about the untold stories of African Americans who have made a lasting impact in the world of entertainment.
Experience innovative exhibits, historical artifacts, and immersive programs that highlight the diversity and brilliance of Black talent.
OUR PURPOSE
Our purpose is to provide a place online and in Hollywood, California, where people can come to witness and learn about the important contributions of Black people in film and television both creatively behind the scenes and in front of the camera, on stage and artistically behind the curtain, and musically, in performance, or writing and producing. The entire span of the entertainment industry will be showcased throughout the years.
BLACK ENTERTAINMENT MUSEUM FOUNDATION
MEMBERSHIPS
This will be done through interactive and innovative technologies that will give the visitor true insight into the lives of Black entertainers and at the same time embrace the spectacle that is Hollywood through elaborate exhibits.
Some Entertainers received fame and fortune some industry pioneers struggled to overcome racism and the limitation put on them as they worked in their respective crafts that never really let them realize their greatness at the time.
We believe that it is crucial to preserve the incredible stories and the profound history of those that have paved the way for the stars of today. We will rejoice in the accomplishments and fortitude of those in the past and applaud the success of today’s Black celebrities in all their glamour and truths.
BEMu will share these accomplishments through an archive of original works, costumes, props, pictures, photos, videos, and copies of performances, movies, and television appearances. BEMu will be a safe place to house the precious materials and treasures of the Black entertainment community.
This museum will be like no other in existence as we will specialize primarily on all facets of the entertainment business in an interactive technology driven style, and we hope our work will encourage the entertainment Industry to increase the presence of diversity and help build this with us as we build this tribute to our Black treasures, we welcome any information on the location of artifacts that may be of interest and donations of artifacts by contacting: Natalie Speech.
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to this historical museum, please don’t hesitate to click here. We accept any amount, debit, credit card, Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp.
The Co-Founders of The Black Entertainment Museum Foundation (BEMU)
Natalie Speech
Co-founder
Natalie Speech is the Founder and Executive Director of the Black Entertainment Museum Foundation (BEMu). With over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, she has worked as a producer, theater director, and development executive. Natalie began her career as a personal talent manager at Ne’j Management and later became a talent agent at Cavaleri and Associates.
She is also the founder of Ne’j Productions and 2 Guys Casting, where she produced theatrical works and supported casting efforts by sourcing hard-to-find talent for film, television, and music video projects.
Through BEMu, Natalie leads initiatives that preserve and celebrate the legacy of Black creatives in film, television, music, and theater. Based in Los Angeles, she is deeply committed to arts education, cultural preservation, and uplifting the stories that shape Black entertainment history.
Cynthia Avon Lee
Co-founder
Cynthia Lee is a trailblazing television executive and consultant with over 30 years of experience at NBC, CBS, ABC affiliates, and BET Networks, where she made history as the first African-American female executive in commercial television. She has developed award-winning programming, including Emmy- and Iris Award-winning documentaries at CBS, and was the creative force behind BET hits like Comic View, Teen Summit, and the Walk of Fame, helping to launch the careers of stars like D.L. Hughley and Beyoncé.
Cynthia produced a groundbreaking nationally syndicated King Tribute Special at the Kennedy Center, led major syndication efforts with Group W, and played a key role in launching BET’s Los Angeles office and MSBET in partnership with Microsoft. Known for her talent in launching divisions, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and leading large teams, Cynthia combines creative vision with business acumen to deliver powerful, culture-shaping television content.