Join us in bringing to life the untold story of a television icon. Together, we can bring forward an inspiring and transformative story of courage, grit and truth telling.
Click to DonateThis page supports the production of Belva Davis, Reporting - a feature-length documentary about journalism pioneer Belva Davis. All donations are tax deductible according to law.
About the Project
This is the untold story of TV pioneer, Belva Davis, who broke color and gender barriers to become the first Black on-air newswoman west of the Mississippi. More than a biopic, this is a story of the times as Belva covered the nation’s growing civil rights struggle and the often-tumultuous City of San Francisco.
Our Goals
- Inspiration. It is our goal to inspire young people to follow their dreams. Belva succeeded in a time before there were role models, in an industry that was not eager to put Black people on the air, in a time decades before diversity, equity and inclusion were company goals.
- Education. We hope the finished film will not only appeal to a wide audience but be useful in classrooms—as part of studying American history, and in journalism classes where students will see how one woman managed to kick down doors of discrimination.
- Art Awareness. Belva had a particular interest in the arts, and Black artists, as we will show by her support of the first major exhibition of African American Art at a major San Francisco museum (the DeYoung Museum). The film should raise awareness of the diversity of Black artists and question why so few have been represented in the American art scene.
About Belva Davis
Belva Davis was the first black female television journalist in the West. Davis helped change the face and focus of broadcast news. Born to a 15-year-old Louisiana laundress during the Great Depression, young Belva’s family escaped white threats of tar-and-feathering by joining the great Black migration out of the South, ending up in Oakland. She overcame racism and sexism to become one of the most respected local journalists in the country.
In a career spanning half a century, Davis has reported many of the most explosive stories of the era, including the Berkeley student protests, the birth of the Black Panthers, the Peoples Temple cult that ended in the mass suicides at Jonestown, the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, the onset of the AIDS epidemic and the terrorist attacks in Africa that first put Osama bin Laden on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. During her career, she soldiered in the trenches in the battle for racial equality and brought stories of black Americans out of the shadows and into the light of day.
Her achievements include:
- 8 Emmy Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award, International Women’s Media Foundation
- National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame
- Panetta Institute for Public Policy Award for Public Service
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Northern California chapter of the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences
Learn more about Belva here.
About the Team
George Osterkamp, Producer/Director
George Osterkamp has molded and mentored several generations of news reporters, producers, writers and managers during his time at KQED, KPIX, KRON and CBS. Over his 33 years as staff producer for CBS Network News, George received four national Emmy Awards. He wrote and produced coverage across the U.S. and from more than 40 countries. At KPIX and KQED, George worked for years as Belva’s producer and colleague.
Nik Heftman, Senior Producer with Directing Responsibilities
Nik Heftman is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and founder of The Seven Times, a video production company dedicated to uplifting Black voices and underrepresented communities. Born and raised in Southern California, Heftman began his career producing stories for CBS Mornings in New York and Los Angeles, contributing to the show’s Emmy win for Outstanding Live News Program. In 2022, Heftman launched The Seven Times, initially focused on spotlighting Black entrepreneurs across the U.S. The company has since evolved into a platform producing award-winning documentaries, including in 2025 the widely praised 'The Negro Artist.' The Seven Times also produces corporate videos and a weekly docuseries highlighting artists and changemakers making tangible impacts in their communities.
Thank You for Donating to Our Cause
Belva Davis, Reporting aligns with the IDA’s mission by using impactful storytelling to inspire and empower audiences. Make your contribution today!
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