Intro To Success – ITS

Philli Irvin is organizing this fundraiser.

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Thee Only Large-Scale, Black Owned, Youth-Led

Arts Education & Cultural Programming in Minnesota

Who We Are

Intro to Success (ITS) is a youth built organization committed to providing positive life experiences for Black and Brown artists & their surrounding community.

The concept is to build an ecosystem of spaces, events, and resources that enhance Black and Brown careers & overall wellness through investment in the arts. Our purpose is to offer opportunity, funding, and education for young BIPOC artists to live their best lives.

It takes a village to birth great visions,

and we are asking for your support.

The goal of our campaign is to raise funds for ITS FEST 2022. August 27th, save the date and see you there! Your donation will support:

Core team & collaborators
Production of specialized art installations
Live performances
Intergenerational activities

Our Why

It is no secret that Minnesota has a longstanding history of exploiting Black creatives and their work. Legendary Black owned music and arts spaces such as the Nacirema Club, King Solomon Mines, Phyllis Wheatley House, and Bethune Park were systematically shut down one by one in the 1970s due to lack of funding, tough city regulations, and in some cases literally destroyed for new developments like I-94.

Philli Irvin, born and raised in the Northside, recognized the undying need for Black owned spaces like those - ones that spark purpose. To feel truly alive, connected, and vibrant in this world. He gathered a team dedicated to reawakening the creative possibilities of his neighborhood. Intro To Success was born - offering bi-monthly pop-up events, cultural programming, and arts education throughout the community.

Our Campaign

The funds raised in this campaign will center around ITS' most cherished offering: our free community festival ITS FEST.

In 2021, the festival centered on four pillars: Meditation, Expression, Relief, Communication. These pillars were chosen as a direct response to the mental, physical, and economic effects of the pandemic and the racial and social justice uprisings in the Twin Cities that May.

This year ITS FEST is designed to encourage growth within ourselves and alongside each other through music, texture, technology, and space design. Weaving the literal voices of our community through the event via interactive art installations.

Our Vision

We hold the clear intention to purchase an ITS FACTORY warehouse facility to serve as a studio and production space for utilitarian skill-based making through 3D design.

In 2023 we are launching ITS AGENCY. Committed to the protection of BIPOC freelancers, ITS AGENCY grants large organizations access to multidisciplinary marketing and advertising practices while building authentic human relationships within our community. An exchange that is both socially conscious and mutually beneficial.

Planting seeds that will be felt for years to come.

We understand $100,000 is no small feat, and it is going to take donations large & small to reach our goal.

The money raised in this campaign will directly support BIPOC creatives in Minnesota actualize their fullest expressions of Being - a palpable energy that will seep into the surrounding neighborhood and uplift the hearts of our community.

We are filled with gratitude to those supporting the infusion of art education and celebration into the Northside of Minneapolis.

Meet The Team