The nonprofit Black Arts & Tradition Alliance of Chicago, a corporation that collectively advances excellence within the work of the Black arts and tradition sector, is proud to announce Vershawn Sanders-Ward as its new board president, efficient instantly.
Sanders-Ward is the third president within the Alliance’s 27-year historical past and brings intensive expertise as a director, choreographer, educator and artivist, a visionary reshaping the panorama of up to date dance whereas driving social change. Because the Founding Inventive Director & CEO of Purple Clay Dance Firm, Sanders-Ward blends parts of African diasporic dance varieties with fashionable methods, and supplies a platform for artists of various backgrounds to discover problems with id, race and social justice by dance. Sanders-Ward has served as a board member of the Black Arts & Tradition Alliance of Chicago for 3 years, together with her current function as Vice President.
“I’m honored and excited to be appointed the brand new President of the Black Arts & Tradition Alliance of Chicago, and I’m deeply dedicated to our mission and group,” says Vershawn Sanders-Ward. “Because the third president within the Alliance’s historical past, I stand on the shoulders of the outstanding work performed by Jackie Taylor and Charlique Rolle, and I’m desperate to proceed their legacy. My aim is to make sure that the Black Arts & Tradition Alliance of Chicago stays a vibrant hub the place Black artists in Chicago can discover the sources and collaborative alternatives they should thrive. We’ve got important work forward of us, and I’m able to roll up my sleeves and dive into this necessary liberation work.”
“Since my arrival to Chicago, Vershawn has been somebody I’ve deeply admired. Frankly, her work by the group and within the arts is among the causes I got here to the town, and she or he formed a lot of my management type,” says Charlique C. Rolle, the Alliance’s outgoing president. “Having had the privilege to stroll and work alongside Vershawn has solely additional solidified this, and I’m sure that I’m not alone on this sentiment. We’re so fortunate and honored to have Vershawn as the following president of the Black Arts & Tradition Alliance of Chicago — main, supporting and advocating for Chicago artists!”
This October, the Alliance presents its second annual Black Arts Month program collection. Public occasions can be held throughout the town on Monday evenings at 6pm from October 7-21, celebrating and that includes Black artists throughout inventive disciplines, and offering networking and group for the Black arts sector. Registration for Black Arts Month occasions is pay-what-you-can, with a prompt donation of $10, at bacachi.org.
Public programming for Black Arts Month contains the next occasions throughout the town:
-Monday, October 7, from 6-8pm: Black Arts Month Kick-off and North Aspect Convening at Black Ensemble Theater (4450 N. Clark Avenue, Chicago)
-Monday, October 14, from 6-8pm: Black Arts Month West Aspect Convening at Muse Espresso Studio (747 S. Western Avenue, Chicago)
-Monday, October 21, from 6-8pm: Black Arts Month South Aspect Convening at Purple Clay Dance Firm (808 E. 63rd Avenue, Chicago)
The end result of Black Arts Month is the 24th annual Black Excellence Awards ceremony, held on the Chicago Cultural Middle on October 28, at 7:30pm. The occasion can be preceded by the second annual Chicago Black Arts Corridor of Fame induction ceremony at 5pm.
Particular person, organizational and affiliate memberships for the Black Arts & Tradition Alliance of Chicago can be found now, with advantages together with entry to skilled sources, networking occasions, efficiency alternatives and extra.
For extra particulars, go to bacachi.org/membership.
