BOMESI Wins $750,000 Grant to Support Black-Owned Media
Rhonesha Byng’s leadership in the media industry has reached a new milestone. The Black-Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI), which she co-founded, recently received a $750,000 grant from Press Forward. The funding, announced last month, will help strengthen Black-owned media outlets across the country.
The grant will expand BOMESI’s Accelerator Program, which has already helped every participating company stay in business. It will also fund new technology called BOMESI Scale, designed to ensure fair payments for publishers. Byng describes this work as vital not just for media survival but for democracy itself.
Her Agenda Empowers Women With Holistic Success
Byng is also the founder and CEO of Her Agenda, a digital platform that connects women with opportunities and inspiration. She launched the site after a women’s studies class in 2008 convinced her of media’s power to break barriers. Her Agenda aims to close the gap between ambition and achievement, especially for millennial women.
Over the years, the platform’s mission has shifted. Once focused on ambition at any cost, Her Agenda now champions “holistic success.” This philosophy emphasizes balancing personal wellness with professional growth. Byng says success is not just about achievement but about creating lives filled with purpose and health.
From Teenage Journalist to Media Leader
Byng’s journey began in Brooklyn as a 16-year-old journalist. That early passion for storytelling grew into a lifelong calling. She describes having an “aha moment” in high school, when she realized media could shape lives and societies.
Her experiences as a young reporter prepared her for the challenges of leading independent media ventures. Today, she continues to build institutions that provide resources, visibility, and community for women and Black-owned outlets.
Building Infrastructure for Equity in Media
BOMESI was born in 2020, a year of urgent calls for racial equity. Byng and her co-founder Devon Harris recognized that Black-owned media needed more than promises. They needed infrastructure and a united voice.
One of BOMESI’s first projects was a database of over 300 verified Black-owned media companies. The resource went viral and revealed a clear disconnect between advertisers and independent outlets. Byng personally reviews each listing to ensure journalistic standards, reinforcing credibility in the industry.
Staying Grounded Through Self-Care and Mentorship
Despite her heavy responsibilities, Byng keeps a strong commitment to self-care. She says she follows her own rhythms and avoids overextending herself. A mentor’s advice—“You are equipped”—guides her leadership.
This philosophy has allowed her to build platforms that thrive without sacrificing balance. Byng often reminds others that leadership does not mean constant burnout. Instead, it means setting a sustainable pace that allows long-term impact.
A Voice for Democracy and Independent Media
For Byng, the fight for resources in Black-owned media is larger than business. She views it as a matter of democracy. Without strong independent outlets, she warns, communities lose access to essential information and accountability.
“This is democracy that’s on the line,” she has said. Her mission is to make sure Black-owned and independent media can afford investigative journalism and community reporting. For her, equitable funding is essential to keeping the fourth estate alive.
