our approach to governance

building new suns

OTV was founded by Dr. Aymar Jean Christian and Elijah McKinnon in 2015. What began as a research project of Christian’s, housed at Northwestern University, has blossomed into a 501(c)3 non-profit and platform led by McKinnon dedicated to supporting intersectional artists in Chicago and beyond. Today, OTV is a thriving 501(c)3 non-profit streaming platform and media incubator for intersectional storytelling, with artists and their creative visions at the center.

We work to amplify voices that have been marginalized for centuries in the United States and globally to build empathy and equity in our society. In addition to being an alternative ecosystem and infrastructure for diverse artists and communities, OTV is an independent media platform run by a team of Black, Queer and TGNC artists and leaders. The OTV Leadership Team is reimagining distribution, artist development and community engagement by dismantling systems that do not serve intersectional storytellers through radical transparency, restorative justice and anti-oppressive practices.

In addition to overseeing artist development, production, exhibition and marketing, Chris Walker, Sarah Minnie and Elijah McKinnon also manage all of OTV’s marquee programs including but not limited to: OTV Fellows, OTV Study Hall, Brave Futures, and the OTV App + Membership!

The role of the Evolutionary Governing Body (FKA Board of Directors) is to voluntarily support the sustainability, growth and commitment of OTV’s mission and vision. They work directly with the OTV Leadership Team to reimagine governance of a non-profit organization as the current design does not serve intersectional communities and minority-led institutions. The Evolutionary Governing Body meets the“minimally viable board” responsibilities that fulfill the absolute legal requirements while also encouraging us to think of governance in a holistic sense, something shared in an ecosystem that includes the OTV Leadership Team, staff, community and other key-stakeholders.

In addition to supporting the more traditional roles of a board they are also responsible for helping build an expansive media ecosystem that reflects our values. This is achieved through general consultation and strategic oversight in four core areas: Admin & Operations, Coalition & Partnerships, Learning & Education and the Film/TV Industry. Unlike traditional board structures that prioritize committee structures, governing body members are encouraged to think holistically about the media landscape.

To learn more about OTV’s values, mission and strategic priorities please review OTV’s FY23-FY25 Strategic Vision and our annual report series, Inside OTV (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).

View Audited Financial Statements: 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023