I love the diversity of San Francisco’s art and music scene and while it’s no New York, I am always surprised by new organizations I learn about who are trying to make the world a better place. Introducing the AfroSolo Theatre Company whose mission is to nurture, promote, and present African American and African Diaspora art and culture through solo performances and the visual arts. They’ve been around since 1993 to give an authentic voice to the diverse experiences of Black people in the Americas. Through art, they bring people of different ethnicities together to explore and share the human spirit that binds us all. Love it!
This year, they are celebrating their 22nd season for their Arts Festival, which will take place from August – November 2016. Their theme this year? “Black Matters!”
Phtoo credit: Everfest.com.
They chose “Black Matters!” because it can be broadly interpreted and expressed and this latitude will provide their artists the freedom to embrace diversity and give voice to all of our varied experiences through theatre, dance, music, poetry, as well as the visual and literary arts.
Although still in development, the festival will consist of a free jazz concert, a visual art exhibit, and their seminal Black Voices: Our Stories, Our Lives Series, Project Empowerment, a youth inspired initiative plus more.
In additions to the festival, they will continue developing their Project Empowerment initiative that includes: a) an anthology of letters written by Black men to uplift, inspire and motivate young Black men and boys to successfully transcend youth to adulthood, b) a mentorship program and c) a guide on having a successful police stop.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
