About Us

Founded in March 2015, BBP Inc. in Lynchburg, Virginia was started to help youth who have low self-esteem and are at high-risk.

Janice A. Benejan (Founder)

Janice is the founder of BBP, Inc., has a BA in Sociology and Theatre from University of Lynchburg College and an MA in Human Services – Counseling w/ Executive Leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Ms. Benejan has over twenty years of performance and theatre production experience, she began her acting career at the Fine Arts Center in Lynchburg, VA where she performed in numerous productions. She received most of her hands on house managing and production experience as a stage manager at University of Lynchburg College and other local theatres such as the Academy Center of the Arts and Renaissance Theatre Company.  She continues to perform, but focuses on building her non-profit through helping youth and her community. Ms. Benejan is the recipient of the 2020 Academy Center of the Arts Lottie Payne Stratton Award for community service in the arts.

Mission

Assist youth who participate in the program to develop their self-esteem and their interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills through hands-on exposure to a variety of new cultural experiences.

Vision

Changing lives of youth from under-served backgrounds through exposure to the arts.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

Building Bridges Productions, Inc., board members work to build an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the children who participate in our programs. In our efforts to bring the arts to youth from underserved backgrounds in the Lynchburg, VA, metropolitan area, we foster a culture that benefits our community members and children. 

Our purpose is to create a safe, nurturing environment where the youth can learn new skills, and explore art, music, and theater. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our mission. Our programs embrace the equal opportunity to bring the arts to children who might not get the chance to participate, either because of income, availability, or lack of exposure to new and different experiences.

We make an effort to model diversity in the composition of our board members, and in creating an inclusive atmosphere for the participants in our programs.