We Will Thrive in 2025
2025 is here, and I’m entering this year with renewed energy, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to our community. AAC has always been about collective action—showing up for one another and creating spaces where we are seen, heard, and supported.
Built For Us, By Us, AAC exists to advocate for our needs and create opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate toward a more anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and human-centered creative sector. Since our founding in 2016, we’ve accomplished so much, but the work is far from over.
Why Your Support Matters
Let’s be real—this work isn’t easy, and nonprofits like AAC are navigating uphill battles, especially in the current political climate and funding landscape. To bring our initiatives to life requires people power and our budgets depend on the generosity of people who believe in this work. Folx like you.
Our work helps support an entire ecosystem of BIPOC artists and arts administrators fighting to thrive in systems not built for us. With your help, we can rise to meet this moment.
Let’s Build Our Future Together
In 2025, we’re activating our roots, expanding our reach, and growing our services as we prepare for AAC’s 10-year anniversary celebration in 2026. Here’s what your generosity supports:
Relaunching our mentorship program, peer affinity spaces, and virtual workshops.
Reuniting in person for our Annual Convening to connect, celebrate, and strategize for the future.
Launching a job board and a searchable database highlighting the expertise that exists within our community.
Developing strategic advocacy efforts informed by our research and shaping a national policy agenda centered on our voices.
Reconvening our Cousin’s Regime, a coalition of BIPOC-led and BIPOC-focused organizations, to build collective power and mutual support as we navigate today’s challenges.
Piloting a strategy to develop local resource hubs across the country.
These aren’t just programs—they’re lifelines. And to make them happen, we need you.
Every dollar counts. Imagine this: over 16,000 people subscribe to our mailing list. If each of you make a monthly contribution of just $10, we can sustain our work for years to come.
Will you invest in the future of AAC and our community?
With love and gratitude,
Erika Hawthorne
Interim Executive Director