Changing the world, one story at a time

The Story Incubator creates, develops, finances, and produces stories that can bring Americans together across our differences.

We work actively with aligned creatives to craft stories that make a difference in our divided country. Then we jumpstart those stories. Whether through  IP acquisition or development capital infusion, we give timely stories the energy they need to reach greenlight status. 

The Story Incubator is actively developing a slate of original projects while continuing to seek new creative partnerships.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

We founded the Story Incubator to leverage the power of story to solve our most urgent problem: the fracturing of our nation into hostile, warring tribes. 

Polarization is tearing America apart — and yet we Americans feel helpless to do anything about it. A culture riven by hatred and hostility — it’s not who we are. But it is who we are becoming.

There is a solution, one as old and strong as humanity itself: story. 

For millennia, powerful stories have united us, uplifted us, inspired us. They can do so again. They can do so today.

THE FOUNDERS

Erin O’Connor, PhD, and Maurice Black, PhD, are seasoned development executives who began working together just as the birth of YouTube revolutionized the entertainment world. During the twenty years of their partnership, they have produced and executive produced numerous feature-length and short films, as well as the award-winning comedy-news channel WE THE INTERNET. 

From there, they produced the feature film MISS VIRGINIA, which starred Emmy-winner Uzo Udoba (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, THE RESIDENCE). The film tells the inspiring true story of Virginia Walden Ford, a single mother who led thousands of parents to create the Washington DC Opportunity Scholarship Program for underprivileged youth. Out of necessity, Erin wrote the screenplay for the feature. The experience changed everything for them both.

Since then, Erin and Maurice have turned their attention to development financing and production, working closely with screenwriters and creating original projects. Since 2020, they have infused hundreds of thousands of dollars of development capital into inspiring stories that can shape our culture in a positive way and transform the world for the better.

IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS

Projects Erin and Maurice have worked on have reached hundreds of millions of people around the world via streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV +, Peacock, and BET.

These projects have received a wide range of awards, including the Berlin Crystal Bear, the Academy Nicholl Prize, a Webby Award, the Academy Award shortlist for Best Documentary Feature Film, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short Film.

Since founding the Story Incubator in 2020, we’ve worked closely with over 60 screenwriters, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in their film and television projects. 

FILMS

MISS VIRGINIA Trailer (2019) Uzo Aduba, Matthew Modine, Vanessa Williams Movie © 2019 - Vertical

“Timeless.” —Mashable  “Inspirational.” —LA Weekly “Noteworthy.” —New York Times “Must see.” —Essence

In addition to MISS VIRGINIA, films Erin and Maurice have produced, executive produced, or written include MAMA RWANDA, INCARCERATING US, REGULATION, MOVING VIOLATION, GRINGA, and CAPTURING KENNEDY.

Development resources and creative support have been contributed to HARD MILES, SEANCE, STREET REPORTER, the Oscar-shortlisted BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN and the Oscar-nominated THREE SONGS FOR BENAZIR.