Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has just announced the next cohort of their 523 Content Accelerator. This program was created to help content companies and creators from underrepresented communities succeed within the industry. The creators of Snapchat founded the app to be a space where others could authentically be themselves. This program is an extension of that in order to create a “content ecosystem” that better reflects the diversity within the community. GLAAD has partnered with Snap inc. before, to help them publish their ACT diversity report in tech. A GLAAD Media Institute alumni, Alec Fischer, was among those selected as part of the 2023 cohort. His company, Fischr Media, is dedicated to telling authentic, Midwestern stories and having those stories shared with national and global audiences.
Fischer was a part of two GLAAD Media Institute courses in Minneapolis and also volunteered for the GLAAD media awards. His accomplishments do not stop there. Fischer has also been selected as one of the Forbes Under 30:Media honorees for North America and is a Dalai Lama fellow. His docuseries “Covid Confessions”, which reflected the stories of numerous workers from different industries in the wake of the global pandemic was nominated for several awards including the GLAAD Media Awards, EWA National Awards for Educational Reporting and several regional Emmy awards.
Thankfully, Alec was able to talk to GLAAD about what being a part of this program meant to him and what it means for the future of Snap 523. He says, “Being selected for the Snap 523 Program means that Snapchat and Snap Inc. are serious about their commitment to elevating diverse storytelling. As a queer creator based in the Midwest, my work aims to elevate stories from diverse communities and break down stigmas about the Midwest region being ‘flyover territory.’ Seeing myself and the other 14 diverse creators who were accepted into this year’s cohort gives me hope and motivation for the next era of creative storytelling. Snap Inc. is creating a model for other tech companies and media platforms to follow; investing sustainable amounts of money alongside mentorship and creator-focused distribution is the future emerging creators need to scale their work.”
Covid Confessions will be having its theatrical release in Minnesota in collaboration with the Twin Cities Film Fest on April 22nd. This is clearly only the beginning for Alec and his deeply impactful work. We at GLAAD are excited to see what else he will create.
