AFRICAN VOICES PROGRAMS
BECOME A SPONSOR FOR ONE OF THESE DYNAMIC PROGRAMS!
TO RECEIVE A SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE CALL: 212.865.2982
PLEASE SPECIFY THE PROGRAM(S) YOU WANT INFORMATION ON.
Since 1992, African Voices has sponsored a variety of cultural programs dedicated to promoting the arts among new audiences and developing new talent. This is a brief overview of some successful programs the organization sponsors. African Voices magazine is a recipient of the New York State Council on the Arts grant for Literature (FY 2001/2002), The Jerome Foundation grant for emerging artists (FY 2002) and the New York Foundation for the Arts (Arts Recovery) grant.
Reel Sisters Film of the Diaspora Festival & Lecture Series: Annual film festival highlighting opportunities for women of color in the film industry. Long Island University, Media Arts Dept. co-sponsors Reel Sisters. Conference proceeds are donated to organizations that benefit women filmmakers. In 1999, the conference’s proceeds were donated to the Sundance Institute’s Screenwriters Lab to benefit African-American women enrolled in the program. For information about Reel Sisters visit www.reelsisters.org. Sponsors: New York State Council on the Arts, Keyspan Energy, WNBA, Brooklyn Marriott Hotel, the New York City Economic Development Corp., BET Starz!, Sable Insurance, 40 Acres & A Mule (Spike Lee), Starbucks Coffee and Lifetime Television.
Ellie Charles Artists Award & Scholarship: Each year, African Voices presents the Ellie Charles Artists Awards to honor artists, community activists and other educators for their contributions to society. The award is named in honor of our first chairperson Eleanor "Ellie" Charles who dedicated her life to supporting the arts, education and young people. In 1998, legendary photographer Gordon Parks became the first artist to receive African Voices’ prestigious artist award. Past honorees are actress/activist Ruby Dee and award-winning authors Walter Mosley and Wole Soyinka. Last year, African Voices presented the first Ellie Charles Scholarship to aspiring poet/actress Stefanie Angelique Reid, a high school senior interested in pursuing a career in the arts. The annual tribute benefit raises money to help fund the magazine and the many programs African Voices produces throughout the year. The benefit is attended by more than 500 guests. Sponsors: American Express, AOL Time Warner, JP Morgan Chase, HBO, BET Arabesque Books, United Way of New York City, WLIB Radio, WNBA and Carver Bank.
African Voices Writers And Artists Conference (Cultural Circle Conference): The Circle Conference connects writers and visual artists with the information and resources they need to pursue careers in publishing and the arts. The conference offers several workshops and panels that provide information on everything from exploring opportunities for writers and artists on the Internet to approaching independent and mainstream publishers and professional art galleries. Sponsors: The Manhattan Borough President and EAB Bank.
Art for Kids: African Voices hosted a one day arts workshop for children at Barnes & Noble Astor Place). In September 2000, African Voices co-hosted a children’s book fair and storytelling program with the Brooklyn Public Library and two local literary publications (Mosaic and Anansi) to celebrate New York Is Book Country. The event, which was held at the Brooklyn Public’s central branch, drew more than 150 parents and their kids. The children had an opportunity to meet their favorite children’s authors and get free books. Our goal is to help young people nurture an interest and love for art and literature. Sponsors: Keyspan Energy, The Brooklyn Public Library.
Rhymes, Rhythms & Rituals: Poetry concert in the parks series featuring local bands and poets. Founded in 1997, the summer series has hosted concerts in community parks including Prospect Park in Brooklyn and Bryant Park in Manhattan. In 1999, African Voices’ "Rhymes" concert was held in Marcus Garvey Park to celebrate Harlem Week’s 25th Anniversary. Sponsors: NYC’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Chase Bank, WABC-TV, New York Times Foundation, Verizon, KeySpan Energy and local businesses.
