- M
For the past 50 years of my life, the thing that has ALWAYS been consistent in my life is COMMUNITY.
For my 50th birthday, I am asking that you donate to help me create a scholarship fund.
History: U Street has been known as the Black arts and entertainment district of Washington, DC. It was where people congregated, shared dreams, developed plans, and artists created magic!
My personal involvement was during The Platinum Era (1995-2005) of U Street. I was aligned with a crew of people that did things under a somewhat unstructured grassroots organization called The Movement. Most people know us from hosting a Monday night open-mic at the legendary Bar Nun. What many do not know is that we also did things like community block parties, lecture series, food & clothing drives as well as co-produced the first Black Luv Festival.
PERSONALLY, I have felt that I did a disservice to the U Street Black arts community by not having created a formal structure that would ensure the legacy of our work, those that came before us, and MOST importantly, the work of those that would come after us.
SO ... I am raising funds to create a U Street Black Arts Grant & Scholarship
The scholarship will be for a Black and/or LatinX high school senior that will be pursuing their educational experience (college, workshops, classes, apprenticeship, etc) in a creative art based discipline. Special consideration will be given to those that are working with the community arts-based programming of designated areas. Another scholarship will be for a graduating college student that has shown not only a proficiency in their art but also a commitment to their community. I hope to offer them some financial support so that they are able to stay focused on creating art and not have to chase a job and forsake their dedication to their art OR the community.
*** As of now ... the selection committee for these gifts will be an ever-evolving secret group of artists, educators, organizers, and community members. The recipients will not need to apply similarly to the MacArthur fellowship program ... but on a much smaller scale.
*** IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
1) A portion of these funds will be used to pay the fees for GoFundMe.
2) There is NO host organization for this scholarship YET but I am talking to some non-profits and this scholarship WILL HAPPEN ... even if the host committee and I just give it directly to some deserving artist!
For my 50th birthday, I am asking that you donate to help me create a scholarship fund.
History: U Street has been known as the Black arts and entertainment district of Washington, DC. It was where people congregated, shared dreams, developed plans, and artists created magic!
My personal involvement was during The Platinum Era (1995-2005) of U Street. I was aligned with a crew of people that did things under a somewhat unstructured grassroots organization called The Movement. Most people know us from hosting a Monday night open-mic at the legendary Bar Nun. What many do not know is that we also did things like community block parties, lecture series, food & clothing drives as well as co-produced the first Black Luv Festival.
PERSONALLY, I have felt that I did a disservice to the U Street Black arts community by not having created a formal structure that would ensure the legacy of our work, those that came before us, and MOST importantly, the work of those that would come after us.
SO ... I am raising funds to create a U Street Black Arts Grant & Scholarship
The scholarship will be for a Black and/or LatinX high school senior that will be pursuing their educational experience (college, workshops, classes, apprenticeship, etc) in a creative art based discipline. Special consideration will be given to those that are working with the community arts-based programming of designated areas. Another scholarship will be for a graduating college student that has shown not only a proficiency in their art but also a commitment to their community. I hope to offer them some financial support so that they are able to stay focused on creating art and not have to chase a job and forsake their dedication to their art OR the community.
*** As of now ... the selection committee for these gifts will be an ever-evolving secret group of artists, educators, organizers, and community members. The recipients will not need to apply similarly to the MacArthur fellowship program ... but on a much smaller scale.
*** IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
1) A portion of these funds will be used to pay the fees for GoFundMe.
2) There is NO host organization for this scholarship YET but I am talking to some non-profits and this scholarship WILL HAPPEN ... even if the host committee and I just give it directly to some deserving artist!