Participant’s Post

🚨 Reintroducing "March On" – A New Chapter in Our Story 🚨 Our world, as beautiful as it can be, still needs healing. While we all contribute, it often feels like it's never enough. One vital step toward progress is truth—understanding where we come from and what must change. This belief has always driven the March on Washington Film Festival, born from the creativity and passion of many minds. Now, we’re evolving and rebranding as March On to reflect our expanded mission: telling the untold stories of the Civil Rights Movement, honoring those who paved the way, and connecting history to the future. What sets March On apart is how we transcend literal marching by using all forms of visual and performing arts to tell these stories—through singing, dancing, drawing, filming, cooking, and writing. This storytelling legacy, passed down through generations of African-ancestored people, continues to be a catalyst for movements and progress. These are the Stories That Move, and we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire action. As we move forward as March On, our mission remains the same: to honor those who paved the way and to understand how our story connects to the future. Read the full message from Joanne Tull Irby, our Executive Director: https://lnkd.in/eBCcd9WW #MarchOn #NewBeginnings #StoriesThatMove #Culture #CivilRights

We believe that Young people everywhere should be able to creatively explore their identity. It's crucial that spaces to do that are joyful, safe and uncensored. In two days, we'll share our Affinity Group Blueprint: a set of resources for youth theatres or groups who are interested in Affinity Groups: spaces for young people to come together with other young people and artists who share an identity, and to creatively explore that together. We'll be sharing the Blueprint alongside two short films that were created by young people from Black is Safe, our first affinity group.

"Color Congress feels like an interruption to the current profit driven cycles of documentary; the film industry’s tendency towards capitalist trends have left us beholden to selling our ideas to brands and algorithms in order for audiences to have access to our work. Sometimes there seems to be no way to move beyond this industry standard. Color Congress, for me, seeks a new way of being, providing critical resources to documentary driven organizations that support communities of filmmakers." jazz franklin, a collective member of the New Orleans based PATOIS Film Collective, reflects on the power of the Color Congress in a new Medium blog. A must-read!

Individuals in the entertainment industry 🎥 wield a unique influence, capable of shaping public discourse and highlighting societal issues through their platforms. 🗽📑🎉🇺🇸 By creating content that explores and celebrates the breadth of human rights and freedoms, they can play an integral role in maintaining and promoting these ideals across America. Whether it's through films, music, or television, artists and creators have the opportunity to show audiences the importance of vigilance and participation in a democratic society. By portraying stories of resilience, justice, and liberty, they not only entertain but also educate and inspire, ensuring that the values of freedom remain a central thread in the cultural fabric of the nation.🗽📑🎉🇺🇸 #EntertainmentInfluence #HumanRights #DemocraticSociety #CulturalFabric #FreedomAndLiberty

How we talk about social emotional development must be contextualized, knowingly. Educators must not run away from the racialized contexts that Black children and their families experience forbidding them from being free in thought, movement, learning, play, and resistance. As we engage at the beginning of an academic year, educator professional knowledge must include discussions of race. This clip is a reflection of the burden and fear of Black families carry in raising children. Life and entertainment co-exist.Engage.

On this Arts Engines episode, Aaron Dworkin interviews Jérémy Jolley, Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement at the Seattle Symphony, about how their approach to access is transforming relationships with the community. Space is sacred. Conversations around capitalism often highlight how third spaces—places between home and work where ideas flourish, connections deepen, and creativity thrives—are disappearing. For musicians and other arts professionals, these spaces are vital to their growth but frequently inaccessible due to financial barriers. So, how do we share art with the world if we lack the space to do so? The Seattle Symphony has embraced this challenge through its Community Stage Fund, launched during the pandemic. This program opens the doors of Benaroya Hall to local artists and organizations, granting access to spaces and equipment at little to no cost. This initiative reflects a growing trend: arts organizations reimagining their role as civic institutions. A symphony’s impact can go beyond performances to nurture relationships, foster trust, and empower communities. By sharing space generously, the Seattle Symphony has built connections that spark creativity and offer new pathways for engagement—whether it’s inspiring attendance at a concerto or cultivating lasting partnerships. As Jérémy Jolley noted, community engagement is sensitive work that requires listening. Yet, it’s through this intentional approach that the arts can honor the whole human experience. #Arts #Culture #Music #Seattle #CommunityEngagement #Education #Partnerships #GivingBack #Access #ResourceSharing #ArtsEngines

Representation matters. It is so important that as Governors we make sure that all our young people have opportunities, role models and representation that connects to their life experiences - including on the Board. https://lnkd.in/eBT_NK2Z?

On this episode of Arts Engines, Aaron Dworkin speaks with Donna Collins, Executive Director of the Ohio Arts Council and Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), who reflects on arts advocacy and its profound impact on communities. 🔍 Donna prompts us to question the efficacy of existing formulas and emphasizes the need for meaningful engagement with communities that have been marginalized. Additionally, she highlights the importance of listening to successful practitioners, organizations, and the communities they serve. 💡 Donna champions collaboration as the cornerstone of effective leadership, stressing the power of growing our support networks to navigate challenges and celebrate victories together. 🌟 It's crucial to recognize that advocating for the arts isn't a binary choice, a symptom of White Supremacy Culture, but an essential aspect of our shared humanity. Donna emphasizes the value of cross-sector collaboration, from Arts and Health to Arts and Housing, to foster resilience and unity. ⏳ In challenging times, Donna introduces the "80-10-10" rule, focusing 80% on the mission, 10% on community engagement, and 10% on professional development—a balanced approach for navigating uncertainty while staying true to our goals. However, what would it look like if we gave more effort to our communities and ourselves? #Arts #Culture #ArtsCouncil #Board #Agency #Advocacy #Community #Policy #Ohio #ProfessionalDevelopment #Human #Collaboration

OUR MISSION Watchmen Action connects like-minds with the training and tools to change their communities, providing them with the systems that flip the balance of power BACK TO THE PEOPLE on the issues that matter to them the most. https://lnkd.in/ekikdAbu

Many people do not know who Sojourner Truth was. She was a powerful force for justice and truth. Our film "The Truth is Powerful" was co-written and narrated by Chrishaunda Lee Perez. It explores the complexities and subjectivities of recording history, and in particular the differing accounts of the life, work, and words of Ms. Truth, and how we read and understand those accounts today. Do yourself a favor and learn more about this inspiring voice for freedom.