Jimmy  Darts

SB Mowing

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

Samuel Weidenhofer

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

The Dogist

Peter Bond

Amy Jandrisevits

Ask Uncle Jack

That Good News Girl

Tess Bohne

FowlMouthFarmer

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

Flavor Flav

John Wolfe

Khloe

Hello Friends near and far, I hope this message, this request, finds you and your loved ones well on all levels. I suspect many if not all of you are going through challenging times, financially, emotionally, mentally and even physically. I wish the most benevolent outcome for you and yours at this intense time. May unforeseen greatness, consciousness and transformation come from this liminal time. I am writing to make you aware of a dire situation that is heavily impacting the artist community here, and to request your help. Many here do not have any financial cushion of any kind. Your support will help purchase rice for dozens of families in a time when many will not have money to buy any food at all.  Below, I explain things in greater detail. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read this, and consider how you might be able to help. Whether that is contributing $1, $5, $100, or simply sharing this fundraiser so we can feed hundreds of families.   For larger, tax-deductible donations please go to Guineaexchange.org where you can make a donation through our non-profit(all proceeds go to Rice for Ramadan). Click on the Donate button, and indicate that the donation is for Rice for Ramadan in the memo field. As many of you know, each of the last 16 winters I have worked here in Guinea, West Africa, doing whatever I can to bridge the gap of cultural understanding and financial disparity between here and the west. This year, before the date of my return flight arrived, the threat of the Coronavirus has caused governments here to cancel all flights and close all boarders until future notice. So for now, I am here. First, a bit of background information about this special country. Despite an abundance of natural resources and a wealth of social and cultural wisdom, Guinea currently ranks in the bottom 10 most economically impoverished countries in the world. For those of you who have been here, you know it is nearly unimaginable how people function, frequently without electricity, water, pavement…etc., and a virtually nonexistent health care system. And yet, as many of you also know, in spite (or maybe because of?) of this crushing fiscal poverty, the Guinean people somehow are the most hard working, contented, generous, present, joyous, faithful and playful people I have ever known. My life, and many of your lives, have been forever transformed out of being in the presence of their courage, love and hospitality. Am I right? Given that background, I want to share with you some of what is happening in Conakry now. Two weeks ago, in the face of the impending threat of this pandemic, the Guinean government mandated the closure of all mosques, churches, schools, restaurants and maisons de jeunes (community youth centers), and prohibited all ceremonies, rehearsals, and gatherings of more than 20 people. It also imposed limits on the number of people in taxis and magbanas (public minibuses) and set a daily 9pm curfew. Apart from all of these changes, and the presence of hand washing stations in front of some businesses, along with the occasional mask wearer, from my view, public life here seems very similar to how it usually is...people going about their daily chores, shopping, selling wares, hustling to get some food for the family …etc. You see, inside of this insidious poverty, people do not have the capacity/luxury to social distance, nor to stock up on supplies until the threat subsides, so most people here seem to be carrying on like normal. Except the artists. This month, the month leading up to the month of Ramadan (currently scheduled to start April 24), is an extremely critical month for dancers and musicians financially. In Guinea, the vast majority of weddings and celebration ceremonies happen just before the sacred month of prayer and fasting, and because of this virus, these events are all cancelled, and our artist friends have no work, no income, and no savings as they head into the toughest financial month of the year: Ramadan. I am already seeing and hearing about the duress. People are already coming to me with requests and hunger. Many people. And Ramadan hasn't even started yet. I am doing what I can for people, but my situation is unstable at the moment, and the need is great. In addition, one would think that the expenses for food would go down during a month of fasting, but it is in fact the contrary. The combination of people needing to eat more nutrient dense foods during the night/non-fasting hours, the shop owners increasing the price of goods and taking advantage of the situation, and the decrease in the amount of work available during the month all make it such that food during the month of Ramadan is far more expensive than other months. Another thing weighing on artists here is that the way the calendar falls this year makes the situation even worse. Ramadan will end May 25th, just as the 4-month rainy season is starting. Again, no ceremonies, so no work and no income for artists. Are you getting the gravity of this situation? And the virus itself seems to still be very much on the horizon. With all of that said, here is the big ask. Would you be willing to contribute financially so that we can alleviate some of the current and upcoming lack of food for artists here in Guinea? I have been speaking with some leaders in the artist community as well as with some other friends who know this culture well, and the following seems to be the fairest and easiest way to make the biggest impact for the most number of people. We are proposing that 100% of the funds raised go to purchasing rice to be given to dancers, musicians and directors in the various private “Ballets” (dance companies) in the capital city of Conakry area. At present, there are 18 private dance companies in Conakry, each with between 30 and 55 people. (We will start with the private dance companies, and then if money permits, we could include the 17 percussion groups and the 2 ‘mildly’ salaried national companies.) Our goal is to raise $1,000 per Ballet, which would give each person at least 50 pounds of rice, likely more. We are proposing to start with 5 companies and once we arrive at $5,000, we add the second 5 companies…and so on. The first companies are: Merveilles de Guinee (55 artists) Wassa So (47 artists ) Sourakhata (47 artists) Gbasikolo (47 artists) Ballet Matam (41 artists) Several friends and I are willing to do the leg work to purchase the rice and make sure it is delivered and distributed to all of the artists in each company. 100% of the money you contribute will go to rice for these artists(aside from the credit card fees that GoFundMe charges (2.9% plus $.30).  As a reminder, for larger, tax-deductible donations please go to Guineaexchange.org where you can make a donation through our non-profit(all proceeds go to Rice for Ramadan). Click on the Donate button, and indicate that the donation is for Rice for Ramadan in the memo field. I know many of you are dealing with issues in your life that will prevent you from being able to give, or being able to give what you would like to at this time. No worries. Please take care of yourselves. For those of you who can, please consider giving a bag or two of rice. One 110 pound bag of rice costs approximately $35 and will feed a family of 8 for just under a month. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider contributing to these artists who are the source of so much of what brings us joy and connection. This pandemic seems to be highlighting the irrefutable Turning Point humanity has been experiencing. Do we continue on the same ‘each for their own’, individual, separate, survival of the fittest, Capitalistic trajectory? Or do we realize that we are all one, and only as strong as the weakest amongst us? This campaign is entirely about the latter… investing, sacrificing even, to support those who are in need of support. Thank you in advance for embracing these artists in their time of need.

Rice for Ramadan

The Jules Performing Arts wishes everyone a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. We hope this message reaches you well. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/35646810_1546017116987572_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="35646810_1546017116987572_r.jpeg" /> About two weeks ago, Jules Performing Arts experienced a major setback in our development. Upon entering our dance home, we walked into the flooding of our entire building. The water engulfed the entire dance floor and leaked down into the basement, leaving damage to costumes, props, the hardwood floors, and overall the entire foundation. Alongside the flood damage, the Landlord gave confirmation to labor workers to breakdown a portion of the walls, as well as to pull up and discard the hardwood dance floors in which we had personally purchased. The Jules staff had to withhold weekly classes from our beloved students, as this setback was something major and unexpected. More so, directly following this incident, the Director Delores Asse-Jules was hospitalized for nearly five days, recovering from a minor stroke. With everything hitting our establishment at once, we are looking to you all for your support, love, and well wishes. For the cost of repairs is astronomical, and we are left to cover the current repairs. The current estimated cost of these expenses is about $12,000, and so we are looking to you all for much assistance. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/35646810_1545694668547989_r.jpeg" alt="35646810_1545694668547989_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /> This dance institution has been operating for nearly 3 years at this current location, and aims to be here for much longer. Over the course of our time, we’ve become an award winning establishment; impacting the lives of young dancers who share the love of dance ranging from Ballet, Tap, African, Modern, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Majorette, and also Karate and Gymnastics. In our aim to lead each generation across community youth, we hope to be able to continue doing so. For we adore our Rosedale community and those surrounding it, and so we need your help to continue to make that happen. It is a well respected small business in the community, and so we would welcome any support you can offer. On behalf of the owners, faculty, and students, we thank you in advance for your contributions! Anything will help! We truly appreciate you all wholeheartedly!

Jules Performing Arts Needs YOUR Help!

3Djeneba Sako is an AMAZINGLY gifted artist, dancer and a WONDERFUL woman and teacher to many....this woman who has given so much, now needs support, love and help from US! Djeneba suffered from a horrendous flash flood this past week in Colorado and ALL of her house is literally RUINED! She is devastated, overwhelmed, hurt and on her own... Djeneba has brought joy, healing, knowledge and happiness to EVERYONE that she has met, her infectious smile, coupled with that AMAZING ability to dance with EVERY part of her body, spirit and SOUL has set her apart and pushed her to the top of the African Dance Circuit in the U.S. Nevertheless, she has NO family here, she only has US, her students, her friends, her sisters and brothers...<IMG class=not-resizeable alt="" src="http://3b4efb995be6c5c64252-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.r12.cf1.rackcdn.com/645523_1379201505.5129_multi.jpg" width="100%" jQuery16305516968853462776="57" jQuery16308269741551141139="57"> Can you PLEASE search your heart and donate SOMETHING to help her get back on her feet and to let her know that we REALLY love her, both on and off the dance floor, across space and time....this is a time where she needs us, can you HELP? If you need a number to start, just consider what you pay for a conference....we spend hundreds to experience a weekend of joy, how much can we donate to encourage and help someone who has nothing BUT us? Just to throw out a number, I'll suggest at the LEAST the cost of a class, $15....there's no max, and even the minimum is a suggestion...whatever you give, however you give...it is NEEDED and appreciated!!! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND COMPASSION!!! Please write a word of encouragement as well, she will see each one... A WORD ABOUT MYSELF, this page was created by Sista Adama Jewel, M.Ed. I have been a member of the African Dance community for over 23 years, since I began at the tender age of 18, in 1990. I have spent my entire adult life learning and sharing the cultural traditions of my ancestors and using them to impact the lives of at-risk youth and students throughout the world. I am also the Founder/Director of African Soul International, which is now based in Los Angeles, CA. We will be hosting a conference, October 11-13, and Djeneba is one of our featured artists. EVERY SINGLE PENNY OF THIS CAMPAIGN IS BEING DEPOSITED INTO DJENEBA'S PERSONAL ACCOUNT!!! THE ONLY MONEY THAT WILL NOT IS THE MONEY THAT WEPAY AND GOFUNDME.COM ARE TAKING OUT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS....THIS IS A VOLUNTEER EFFORT BY ADAMA JEWEL. PLEASE FORWARD ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS DIRECTLY. THANK YOU

PLEASE help Djeneba Sako 

Friends And Family Of Sid

Sidney "Omen" Brown Jr. was a Grammy award-winning music producer whose talent touched the lives of many. He worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Beyonce, Ludacris, and Drake, yet he remained incredibly humble about his accomplishments. What truly set Sid apart was his unwavering love for music and his deep devotion to friends and family. He was always the first to support others, especially those who were overlooked or struggling, and he believed in helping the underdog find their voice. 
 
 
 Sid’s legacy is one of generosity, kindness, and a passion for seeing others succeed. He wanted nothing more than to see the dreams of his loved ones come true, and he constantly encouraged those around him to pursue their passions. In his memory, we are establishing a scholarship fund to help high school juniors and seniors in New York City who wish to attend college or school for the arts—whether it be music, art, dance, or another creative field. This scholarship is especially for students who do not qualify for traditional financial aid or loans and have little to no financial support at home. We want to make sure that money is never the reason a talented young person gives up on their calling. 
 
 
 We invite you to join us in honoring Sid’s legacy by supporting this scholarship fund. Your donation will help ensure that a deserving student can pursue their artistic dreams and carry forward the spirit of generosity and encouragement that Sid embodied. Please help us make this scholarship available for a graduating student this year, and let’s continue Sid’s tradition of lifting up the next generation of artists.

Sidney "Omen" Brown Jr. Arts Scholarship

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Friends And Family Of Sid

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Sidney "Omen" Brown Jr. Arts Scholarship

Rice for Ramadan

Jules Performing Arts Needs YOUR Help!

PLEASE help Djeneba Sako