Lancaster Equity Council Awards Over $50,000 & Launches Cohort to Support the Projects of BIPOC Individuals in Lancaster County

Engage Inspire Expose

Katrina Holmes

$5,000

Engage Inspire Expose supports student-athletes from underrepresented backgrounds by offering individualized tutoring, mentoring, college tours, and professional shadowing opportunities. The initiative aims to increase access to resources, helping students achieve success in academics and athletics, and ultimately preparing them for higher education and career opportunities.

Mu Dunye – A Film about Going “Home”

Julia Kamanda

$5,000

This film documents the journey of five African American teenagers as they explore their heritage in Sierra Leone. The project deepens their understanding of their roots, fostering a profound connection to their African heritage and enhancing their self-awareness and community engagement.

POP-UP Art Gallery

Claudia Rojas

$5,000

The POP-UP Art Gallery transforms a U-Haul truck into a mobile gallery showcasing the works of refugee, immigrant, and BIPOC artists. This project breaks down barriers to traditional gallery spaces, providing a platform for underrepresented artists to display and sell their work, promoting cultural exchange and economic empowerment.

Sacred Seed

Alesia Hill

$2,500

Sacred Seed is a gardening project focused on growing native plants and flowers to support pollinators and provide free seeds and produce to the community. Led by a veteran with a background in nutrition, the project aims to improve food security and promote environmental sustainability, particularly benefiting low-income families.

Suenyo Sessions

Angel R. Sanchez II

$5,000

Suenyo Sessions is a music event series celebrating independent artists through performances, workshops, and discussions. The project provides a platform for artists to showcase their talents, fostering cultural exchange and supporting local talent within Lancaster’s cultural scene.

The Beattie-Chanel Group

Danielle Beattie

$2,500

The Beattie-Chanel Group works to increase homeownership among people of color in Lancaster, PA, through free seminars and personalized home-buying plans. The initiative aims to close the homeownership gap and empower communities of color to build generational wealth by addressing historical and systemic barriers.

The Mask Works

Wendy Li

$5,000

The Mask Works offers mask-making workshops that provide participants with a creative outlet to explore their identities and emotions. The workshops foster self-expression and emotional healing, particularly benefiting those with limited access to traditional mental health resources.

Teatro Paloma’s 2024 Season & Professional Development

Chris Aviles

$5,000

Teatro Paloma, Lancaster’s only Latinx Theatre Company, embarks on its tenth season with the exciting production of Tanya Saracho’s Fade, performed at the Harrisburg Fringe Festival and the Ware Center in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. This season’s activities also include the pursuit of 501(c)(3) status, enabling the theater to secure funding and sustain its mission to provide a creative hub for Latinx performers and artists of color. By fostering a safe and inclusive artistic space, Teatro Paloma nurtures the growth, healing, and dreams of BIPOC communities, ensuring their stories and talents are celebrated and supported. Teatro Paloma is not a grant recipient but is being sponsored by the Equity Council this season as we have developed a mutually beneficial relationship.

Supporting artists and community leaders in addressing barriers often overlooked by other funding streams, enabling them to make significant impacts in their fields and communities.

Keisha Finnie

$2,500 for Artistic/Professional Development

Keisha Finnie will expand her artistic work by securing professional equipment and supplies to enhance her skills, build a comprehensive portfolio, and offer community workshops to support other artists.

Solise White

$5,000 for The Joy of Living in My Purpose

This project will expand Soul Kharisma Dance Fitness by developing online fitness videos, enhancing social media presence, and broadening community outreach. The funds will cover training, marketing, and essential equipment.

Thunda Khatt

$5,000 for Thunda N Mimosas: Men Have Feelings Too!

This project will host a poetry showcase and panel discussion on men’s mental health, with the funds being used for event production, artist fees, professional documentation, and marketing.

Felix C. Arroyo

$5,000 for JMC Productions

Felix will expand his multimedia studio by securing professional equipment and developing a dedicated website. His project focuses on producing diverse content, including podcasts, short films, and documentaries in collaboration with people of color.

Sir Dominique Jordan

$5,000 for Wash and Rhythm

This unique music series brings live performances to local laundromats, supporting local musicians, promoting small businesses, and creating vibrant community engagement. The funds will be used for artist fees, venue rentals, marketing, and logistical expenses.