Shaping My Career, Changing the Arts: Why AAC Needs You

I was randomly added to a Facebook group years ago where I found incredible conversations, brave, audacious arts administrators speaking truth to power. That group coalesced into a non-profit organization that committed to being revolutionary in how it operates. AAC has since modeled the way I have chosen to lead two arts organizations over the last eight years.

AAC’s fingerprints are all over my career at this point. The information shared in the Facebook group has informed how I facilitate board meetings. The concepts and philosophies I’ve gleaned from conversations at AAC Happy Hours are codified in my employee handbook. The language that this organization uses has equipped me to advocate for arts and culture in front of our legislators. The relationships we’ve cultivated together have kept me sane when the nonprofit industrial complex has attempted (daily) to do otherwise. 

AAC was volunteer-led for six years. That was cute, but it was never sustainable. AAC is needed now more than ever with direct attacks on nonprofits, the arts, and justice work. The fight we have ahead of us is real and will take consistent, unrelenting support from our community.

Please consider giving to Arts Administrators of Color so that the important work that we do can continue to drive change and expand BIPOC leadership across the U.S. creative sector into the future.

Camille Kashaka
Executive Director, Motor House Baltimore
Founding & Current Board Member, AAC