GOOD VIBES ONLY!

Let me start by saying the proverbial whew!! It's been a lot, y'all. Talking with a close friend this morning, we agreed that it is always A LOT, but right now, it's feeling like a WHOLE DAMN LOT - WAY TOO MUCH!!! But...we have choices about how we respond to whatever flavor of crisis is being constantly thrown our way, and we are choosing to focus on the good things!

We are growing, and that's a good thing! It's a pleasure to introduce two more recent additions, along with Hasaan, who is profiled here, to the ARTE NOIR team.

Atlanta Brown

Atlanta Brown is now managing all things Black Artist Roster. Under her guidance, we can increase our efforts to provide artists on the roster with more professional development and commissioning opportunities. A practicing artist herself, Atlanta brings a wealth of experience in outreach, data management, marketing, event planning, and brand ambassadorship. Among Atlanta's higher education accomplishments is a focus on African Diaspora studies, which accompanies her Master of Science in Counseling and Bachelor of Science in Arts and Computer Science.

Atlanta shared with us that this position is an asset to her continuing studies and intended future as a clinical mental health counselor with a deep interest in art therapy. Atlanta's dedication to fostering artistic communities and contributing to spaces where creativity thrives is the perfect ingredient for helping ARTE NOIR grow our ambitions of continuing to be a valuable resource for Black artists.

By the way, if you have not done so already, the Black Artist Roster is open and you can join now!

Crystal McDonald

More good news on the staffing side as we try to temper our excitement in introducing our new executive administrator, Crystal McDonald. Crystal is also a practicing artist, holding a Ph.D. in industrial organizational psychology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in architecture and design.

The amount of experience and skill Crystal is bringing to this administrative position can only be described as enormous and includes experience as an Industrial Organizational Psychologist, public school teacher, and nonprofit facilitator, as well as a long list of visual arts exhibitions. And get this, Crystal has also studied Ecological Valence and Color Theory impacts on BIPOC communities. Yep, we're talking the capital R in real deal.

Crystal will provide much-needed administrative and organizational support as we ramp into aggressive programming within ARTE NOIR and in the Midtown Square.

We are humbled that ARTE NOIR has attracted such incredible talent. With an already fabulous team, who by the way regularly receive awesome public reviews, we are simply thrilled to be adding to our team in such a dynamic way.

If you haven't already noted, we have refined the ARTE NOIR mission and vision. This comes as a part of our strategic planning process, led by Imago, with the help of funding from King County's initiative to address race as a public health crisis. What this means for ARTE NOIR is that we are creating a road map to guide us to long-term sustainability. We recognize the very real possibility that at any time, and as things continue to shift away from equity, the communities we serve may become more displaced and without critical support. Refinement of our mission and vision, along with a solid strategic plan, are the vehicles that will help us drive down the critical road ahead.

Thank you to our readers and our patrons for helping us to be the purveyors of good vibes and for being collaborators in envisioning a world where the creativity rooted in the culture of the African diaspora illuminates new possibilities and realities for all.

GVO!

Vivian Phillips, Founder + Board President