You Can't Shut Us Down Membership Campaign

Thank you for bringing African literature so tastefully to our many readers. Being very impressed with the quality of this literary publication, I have highly recommended and am very proud to offer African Voices to researchers and students who seek information and study in the area of African and African American literature and art.

Linda Bannerman-Martin, MLS, Curator/Senor Librarian, Black Heritage Reference Center of Queens County, Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center, Queens Borough Public Library

CLICK HERE FOR MEMBERSHIP INFO

SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS (READ MORE)

We are inviting you on a journey to own your own history, art and culture. We want to thank all of our loyal subscribers for their patience and support. For the first time in our 14-year history, we are raising our subscription rate from $12 to $20 in order to cover the rising costs of printing, postage and paper. We are also inviting you to help us sustain and expand our non-profit organization by supporting our “You Can't Shut Us Down”� membership campaign. Basic membership begins at $40 and includes benefits. If you would like further information on African Voices, please call us at 212 865-2982.

We have already raised $6,650 since the membership campaign launched on July 22nd, 2006! Our immediate goal is to raise $100,000 so we can maintain our publication schedule. Our long-term goal is to raise $1 million to start our endowment fund. Visit our website to get updates on the campaign's progress.

“You Can't Shut Us Down,”� the motto of the aerosol artists who once ruled the subway station, is inspired by legendary graffiti artist JamesTop's painting which graces the cover of our Summer 2006 issue. African Voices has created a vital artistic and intellectual space where independent voices can be heard and viewed. We are officially establishing a membership program so the magazine and our programs can continue to benefit artists. The current $12 subscription rate does not cover the cost for printing four issues and African Voices earns less than 5 percent of its income from ads. Like PBS, African Voices is a public space that preserves independent ideas and thought. Your contribution will help us build an institution and endowment for our future.

We believe “You Can't Shut Us Down”� succinctly captures the true founding ideals of a revolutionary institution that has constantly survived the times to serve artists and writers.

Since 1993, African Voices has introduced the work of more than 500 emerging writers and visual artists to 20,000 readers. We sponsor such community forums as the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival for women filmmakers, the Cultural Circle Conference for writers and artists and Rhymes, Rhythms & Rituals, a poetry in the park concert series. We have given more than $12,000 to artists including the recent $1,750 cash awards to winners of our Reel Sisters Screenplay Competition (see page our home page).

The “You Can't Shut Us Down”� membership drive will help us accomplish the following goals:

• Pay operating expenses including payments to contributors and publication bills. Keep our 96th Street office open and staffed.

• Hire a staff to publish the magazine and run our community programs. African Voices is currently run by a volunteer staff.

• Establish the Ellie Charles Scholarship Fund for Young Artists in High School and the Reel Sisters Screenplay Competition Awards.

• Purchase a building to house an art gallery, movie theater and performance space.

• Establish an endowment fund to preserve the organization's future legacy.

Anyone wishing to make a substantial contribution of $100,000 or more to our endowment fund should call us for more information about our programs, goals and history.

As a token of our appreciation, we are offering several special gifts to our new members. All supporters contributing $20 will receive a free subscription to the magazine or a renewal. Donors who make contributions of $40 or more will receive the African Voices “Get Your Read On”� tote bag.

Thank you for keeping our doors open!