In 1910, William D. Foster created the nation’s first African American film Production

In 1910, William D. Foster created the nation’s first African American film Production Company. While Foster Photoplay was only in operation for a short time, it produced four short films including 1913 release of “The Railroad Porter,” its most successful work and the world’s first film to feature an entirely black cast with a black director. At the time, the film was widely acclaimed for its portrayal of black characters and everyday Black life.

Foster’s grandson, former Princeton faculty member Badi Foster, commented on his grandfather’s many careers: “Will Foster was one of the first black movie producers. He was ubiquitous in terms music publishing, newspapers, Bronzeville Chicago, started “Chicago D” [Chicago Defender newspaper] sold it to old man [Robert Sengstacke] Abbott. He was advance agent for William Walker minstrel shows. He worked the national campaigns for old man Pullman. He was the manager of Roscoe Simmons, who was Booker T. Washington’s nephew, a great orator.”