Help Us Make the Return of the Black Art Expo a Reality!

We’re asking our community to help us raise the additional funds needed to bring the return of Sankofa’s Black Art Expo to Shaker Square this September! Although we have secured over $10,000 in institutional support, we are still $6,000 short of our fundraising goal. We need the community’s help to craft the experience our artists, families, and supporters deserve.

What is the Black Art Expo?

Sankofa Fine Art Plus 501(c)(3) is a Cleveland-based fine arts organization dedicated to creating opportunities for Black artists, celebrating our cultural heritage, and making art accessible to the community.

After a 15-year hiatus, we have partnered with the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF) to revitalize this cherished Cleveland tradition. The Expo will be held alongside the 15th Annual Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival, September 18–20, on Shaker Square. The free, weekend-long event will include a curated visual art exhibition, an art fair on the Square featuring Black artists and vendors, and community programs.

Why the Black Art Expo Matters.

The Black Art Expo is more than an art show. It is a celebration of Black creativity, culture, entrepreneurship, and community. It gives artists an opportunity to showcase and sell their work, connects the public with talented local and regional creatives, and creates a space where the community, including children and young people, can experience the power of art and see their culture represented and celebrated. This Expo is about creating opportunities—and making sure Black artists have a platform where their talent, stories, and contributions are valued.

We Have Started. Now We Need Your Help.

We are incredibly grateful for the institutional funding we have received from the St. Luke’s Foundation, Neighborhood Connections, the Kings and Queens of Art, and Shaker Square LLC. That support has helped us move forward, but it does not cover everything needed to make the return of the Black Art Expo a success.

We need your help to close the gap. Your contribution will help us provide:

• Artist support.
• Expo tent, tables, and event equipment.
• Marketing and promotional materials.
• ‍‍‍ Family-friendly programming.
• ️️ Equipment to display artwork.
• Spotlight exhibition venue rental fee.
• Music for the opening reception.

Every Gift Makes a Difference.

Whether you can give $10, $25, $50, $100, $500—or more, your contribution helps us move one step closer to making the return of the Black Art Expo the celebration Cleveland deserves.

And if you cannot donate, you can still help. Please share this GoFundMe with your family, friends, coworkers, social media networks, businesses, and anyone who believes in supporting Black artists and cultural programming.

We cannot do this alone. We need our community. Help us create a space where Black art is seen, Black artists are supported, Black culture is celebrated, and the next generation is inspired.

Donate today. Share this campaign. Help us make the return of the Black Art Expo a reality!

Thank you for believing in Sankofa Fine Art Plus, our artists, and the power of Black art to bring people together. Together, we can make this happen! Contributions to Sankofa Fine Art Plus may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Gratefully:

Robin Robinson

Executive Director

Sankofa Fine Art Plus

www.sankofafineartcle.org

About Sankofa Fine Art Plus:

Sankofa Fine Art Plus is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts organization founded in 1999 in Cleveland, Ohio, by a group of art enthusiasts who shared a passion for Black art and artists. Through arts education, community events, curated exhibitions, and murals made in collaboration with communities, our programs foster an appreciation for the rich history and tradition of Black visual art. Learn more ...

About the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (GCUFF):

The Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation (GCUFF), established in 2012, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the celebration, preservation, promotion, and advancement of African American arts, culture, and cinema. Learn more...

About the Black Art Expo:

Sankofa Fine Art Plus proudly presents the Sankofa Black Art Expo, a vibrant showcase of Black art, creativity, and community. Returning for the first time since its original run as the Sankofa Fine Art Expo (2001–2011), the Expo revives a cherished Cleveland tradition that brought together artists, collectors, and community members to celebrate and connect with Black artists.

Held on Shaker Square Friday–Sunday, September 18–20, 2026, the Black Art Expo will coincide with the 15th Annual Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival, creating a dynamic weekend centered on Black creativity through visual art and film. Featuring artists from across Greater Cleveland, the Expo invites you to discover inspiring artwork, meet artists, and experience the breadth of their dynamic talent. The Expo is free and open to the public. Learn more ...