Rebuild Antwan Banks Williams' Community Studio

Wassup, everyone. My name is De'jon Joy, and I am the Assistant Director at Empowerment Avenue. I want to raise awareness and help my brother, Antwan Banks Williams, rebuild his studio after losing the film equipment he invested years in to uplift our community.

No community understands the cycle of hurt, trauma, and healing more than ours. And if you know Banks, you know he’s been at the forefront of breaking that cycle using art, storytelling, and creativity to build something bigger than himself.

Banks isn’t just an artist; he’s a pillar in our community, constantly pushing for the inclusion of formerly and currently incarcerated people in creative spaces. He doesn't just tell stories about people; he creates with them, making sure their narratives are told authentically, with them at the center. Beyond that, he’s been uplifting all of us, bringing us into projects, sharing skills, providing training, and ensuring we all have access to the opportunities he’s worked so hard to create.

But now, he’s the one who needs support.

After four years of building his studio from the ground up, investing over $25,000 of his own money into industry-standard equipment so that our stories could reach mainstream media and shift the culture around incarceration, Banks’ space was broken into and completely wiped out. Everything he’s worked for is gone.

And this loss isn’t just his; it’s a loss for all of us who have worked with him, collaborated with him, and have been supported by him. Banks gives everything to our community; now it’s time for us to give back.

We’re raising funds to help Banks rebuild his studio, replace his stolen equipment, and get back to the work he’s poured his heart into for all of us.

If you’ve ever been affected by his work, generosity, or spirit, please donate what you can and share this with your networks.

Let’s show Banks the same love, support, and dedication that he gives to all of us—day in and day out.

Every dollar helps—every share matters. Let’s rebuild together.

✊❤️ #SupportAntwanBanksWilliams #RebuildTheStudio #CommunityStrong #ArtForChange #CreativeJustice