Why Black Realities Was Selected as the Winner
After careful review, the Stellar Business Award Committee has chosen Black Realities as the award recipient due to its innovative approach in supporting Black artists in the realm of emerging creative technologies. The company, under the visionary leadership of Sharifa Johka, has not only created new pathways for artistic exploration but also significantly contributed to audience engagement. Johka’s commitment to blending creative storytelling with social impact, and her dedication to advancing authentic representation, are truly commendable. Her work in operationalizing antiracist practices within Fortune 100 companies and leading arts institutions further underscores the transformative impact of Black Realities. The company’s grant winners have produced cutting-edge, award-winning projects, demonstrating the immense potential and talent within the Black artist community. This award recognizes Black Realities’ significant contributions to the industry and its unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.
They displayed all of the qualities that we at Stellar Business look for when determining excellence. These qualities include outstanding growth, service to their community, and excellent business practices. We determined that they excel in these criteria as the top XR Content Creation in Worldwide.
About Black Realities
Black Realities supports Black artists who are creating experiences in virtual reality, augmented reality, games, apps, 3D animation, and other emerging creative technologies for storytelling, entertainment, problem solving, and community engagement purposes. Our grant winners have created transformative, cutting edge, and award-winning projects that have resulted in new pathways for artistic exploration and audience engagement.
Today, we congratulate Black Realities for winning this years annual Stellar Business Award for XR Content Creation in Worldwide. Our selection committee reviewed several outstanding companies for this award, and we decided unanimously that they are the official winners.
Competition in XR Content Creation
- Virtual Realms
- Augmented Creations
- Game Innovations
- App Ventures
- 3D Animations Co.
- Emerging Tech Solutions
- Storytelling Studios
- Entertainment Innovators
- Problem Solvers Inc.
- Community EngageTech
Black Realities Reviews
Our team at Stellar Business reviews companies based on several factors, including online reviews, the ability to deliver results, interactions with leadership, and more. Based on these metrics, we then create a weighted overall score.
When giving reviews, we interviewed Sharifa Johka about their success in the Worldwide area. We also looked at what their customers were saying on Google and other trusted review sites. Because Black Realities maintains consistently stellar reviews, they received strong consideration for this award.
Best XR Content Creation in Worldwide
Black Realities quickly became our strongest applicants in Worldwide. They displayed excellent customer service, an ability to deliver, and maintain high reviews in their community. So, Stellar Business would like to endorse them as the top XR Content Creation in Worldwide. We believe that their outstanding ability to serve their clients in Worldwide makes them a long-time favorite provider.
Sharifa Johka Recognized as Founder of Black Realities
Sharifa Johka
(she/her)
Sharifa Johka is a dynamic creative producer, strategist, and equity advocate with an impressive portfolio spanning film, television, theater, and immersive technologies. As an artist and visionary, Johka seamlessly blends creative storytelling with social impact, driving radical inclusion across media. She has dedicated her career to advancing authentic representation, crafting work as a writer, director, and producer of film and episodic transmedia content that amplifies historically excluded voices.
In addition to her artistic contributions, Johka is a highly regarded Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) subject matter expert. She has consulted with Fortune 100 companies and leading arts institutions to operationalize antiracist practices, helping them establish equitable frameworks within their daily operations. Through her acclaimed seminar Finding the Keys, she has equipped thousands of global attendees with actionable techniques for recruiting, hiring, and nurturing a diverse, competitive 21st-century workforce, creating inclusive work environments across multiple sectors.
Johka also served on the Executive Leadership Team at the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), where she guided the management of this renowned $40 million organization with over 700 employees for a decade. At OSF, she oversaw artist cultivation, participated in play selection, launched the theater’s online streaming platform, O!, and helped shape the theater’s acclaimed productions and record-breaking audience engagement strategies. Her leadership was instrumental in establishing the largest professional development program in the country for theater artists and administrators. Johka’s tenure at OSF reflects her commitment to innovation and equity within the performing arts, further solidifying her as a strategic leader with a unique ability to bridge creative and operational realms.
In 2020, Johka founded Black Realities, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Black voices in the immersive media landscape by supporting the development, financing, and distribution of content created by Black XR artists. As the Founding Executive Director, Johka spearheads funding initiatives for a wide array of innovative projects, including 360 films, documentaries, apps, VR/AR/XR experiences, and 3D animation, advancing Black narratives in emerging technologies.
Johka’s journey began as a film studio executive at New Line Cinema and Fine Line Features, where she played a critical role in developing and acquiring films for global distribution. As a curator, she has programmed for prestigious festivals such as the American Film Institute, Pan African Film and Arts Festival, and Urbanworld, curating impactful content that highlights diverse perspectives. A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Johka’s early accomplishments include a Student Academy Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to cinematic storytelling.
Best XR Content Creation in Worldwide
To confirm them as the official winner of our Stellar Business Award for excellence in Best XR Content Creation in Worldwide, we made the following announcements:
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This public post on our website highlights them as the winner
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A public announcement on our LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook page
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Provided a physical certificate signed by our committee
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Assured that there are no other winners for the category of XR Content Creation in Worldwide
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Sent a physical Stellar Business trophy to symbolize this award
We encourage you to visit our award winner’s business website to learn more about how they can help you with XR Content Creation in Worldwide. Link below.
Contact: Sharifa Johka
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