Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Yoruba Richen is a Peabody award winning documentary filmmaker who was awarded the Trailblazer award by Black Public Media. Her work has been featured on multiple outlets, including Netflix, MSNBC, FX/Hulu, HBO and PBS. Her latest film, American Coup: Wilmington 1898 premiered on PBS’s American Experience and her film, The Cost of Inheritance, premiered on PBS’s America Reframed in 2024. Yoruba’s previous film, The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks was the first feature documentary about the pioneering activist and was honored by the Television Academy and won a Gracie Award.
Yoruba is a featured TED Speaker and is the Founding Director of the Documentary Program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
Yoruba's most recent docuseries, The Fall of Diddy, shines a public spotlight on intimate partner violence and abuse and demonstrates the power of storytelling as advocacy for change. Day One is proud to honor Yoruba with the Voice of Amplification Award, during our 2025 Voices Against Violence Gala, for the atmosphere and safe space she created to illuminate the brave voices of survivors.
Day One partners with youth to recognize, prevent and end dating abuse. Through preventative education, free and confidential supportive services, legal assistance and leadership development, Day One helps young people make healthy choices from day one of dating.
• Join us in building a future free from violence for every young person!
💚 Make a donation today: dayoneny.org/donate
Yoruba Richen is a Peabody award winning documentary filmmaker who was awarded the Trailblazer award by Black Public Media. Her work has been featured on multiple outlets, including Netflix, MSNBC, FX/Hulu, HBO and PBS. Her latest film, American Coup: Wilmington 1898 premiered on PBS’s American Experience and her film, The Cost of Inheritance, premiered on PBS’s America Reframed in 2024. Yoruba’s previous film, The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks was the first feature documentary about the pioneering activist and was honored by the Television Academy and won a Gracie Award.
Yoruba is a featured TED Speaker and is the Founding Director of the Documentary Program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
Yoruba's most recent docuseries, The Fall of Diddy, shines a public spotlight on intimate partner violence and abuse and demonstrates the power of storytelling as advocacy for change. Day One is proud to honor Yoruba with the Voice of Amplification Award, during our 2025 Voices Against Violence Gala, for the atmosphere and safe space she created to illuminate the brave voices of survivors.
Day One partners with youth to recognize, prevent and end dating abuse. Through preventative education, free and confidential supportive services, legal assistance and leadership development, Day One helps young people make healthy choices from day one of dating.
• Join us in building a future free from violence for every young person!
💚 Make a donation today: dayoneny.org/donate
