KCFAA to Host Annual Race, Place & Diversity Symposium

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Race, Place and Diversity Symposium

FREE Town Hall Discussion to Follow

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) will host its  annual Race, Place and Diversity Symposium on Tuesday, October 30 throughout the 18th & Vine district, concluding with a FREE town hall discussion on the importance of voting at the GEM Theater.

The Diversity Symposium is designed to provide a platform that encourages a candid, healthy discussion on race, place and diversity. Featured panelists will explore relevant social issues with deep, systemic roots and present an open dialog with participants to increase understanding. The Symposium will be moderated by KCFAA Chief Artistic Officer Tyrone Aiken and Kansas City’s ‘Diversity Diva’ Michelle Tyrene Johnson.

Scheduled Symposium Panelists include: 

Jillian Hishaw

Jillian Hishaw, Esq. will present: Rural Roads that Divide: Land Rich, Cash Poor, Equality No More. 

Hishaw is the author of “Don’t Bet The Farm on Medicaid” and has been featured in the Atlantic, Vice News, Seniors.com and more. Hishaw is also a Contributor of the “New Food Economy.” Originally from Kansas City, she is an innovative strategist, Founder, and Attorney in the areas of agriculture, food systems and asset protection.  Hishaw was also recognized by Civil Eats and the Clif Bar Co. as a “Food Industry Changemaker.”

 

Rodney Smith Ed.D. will present: Know Thyself: Does Your Identity Matter?

Author of “Are We Really Crabs in a Barrel: The Truth and Other Insights About the African American Community” which challenges a long-held belief that suggests that Blacks, generally, are not supportive of each other. Smith tenaciously confronts the age-old myth that African Americans stand in the way, and even thwart the progress of other African Americans.

 

Topeka Native Darren Canady will present: My Story is My Survival. 

Canady’s work has been produced at the Alliance Theatre, Congo Square Theater, London’s the Old Vic Theatre, M Ensemble, American Blues Theater, and much more. He has received the Alliance Theater’s Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Award, Chicago’s Black Excellence Award, the Black Theatre Alliance Award, and the American Theatre Critics Association’s Osborn Award. He is an alum of Carnegie Mellon University, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, The Juilliard School, and is a former member of Primary Stages’ Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group. currently teaches playwriting at the University of Kansas.

 

Dr. Susan Wilson will present: Make Me Wanna Holler: Race and Equity and its Impact on Mental Health in Black Communities. 

Dr. Wilson, a licensed clinical psychologist, currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion at UMKC, spear-heading diversity and inclusion policies and programs for students, faculty, and staff and community. Wilson has more than 20 years of diversity-related experience. She was the Central Region’s representative for the Group on Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) for the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) and served on the Mayor’s Human Rights Commission.

For more information on the panelists, visit https://kcfaa.org/symposium-speakers/.

 

Town Hall Meeting

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 30 at the Gem Theater

(Why Vote) Is voting a right, privilege or just a waste of time?

The elections in November are seen as some of the most important elections in a generation. How does Race, Place (red vs blue states) and issues of Diversity shape voter participation? What impact does the media including social media shape your views on important issues facing the nation today?

Symposium panelists will engage in this discussion at the FREE Town Hall event.  Panelists include: Darren Canady, Jillian Hishaw, Esq., Rodney D. Smith Ed.D., Susan B. Wilson, Ph.D MBA. The Town Hall will be moderated by Tyrone Aiken and Michelle Tyrene Johnson.

For more information on KCFAA’s Town Hall or to RSVP, visit https://kcfaa.org/rpd-town-hall/

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KCFAA to Host Annual Race, Place & Diversity Dinner

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NPR’s Michele Norris to Be Honored With Distinguished Diversity Award

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) is proud to honor NPR’s Michele Norris with its distinguished Race, Place and Diversity Award at the annual Race, Place and Diversity Dinner on Monday, October 29 at the InterContinental Hotel on the Country Club Plaza.

Every year, KCFAA honors an individual who demonstrates true leadership and advocacy on the issue of discrimination. The award highlights those who work to break down racial, religious, socioeconomic, ethnic, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability-discriminatory barriers.

Norris is an award-winning reporter, journalist, author, and former host of NPR’s, All Things Considered. Norris also co-created the Race Card Project, which encourages people to express their experience of race in six words. In 2014, this project was honored with a Peabody Award.

Mayor Sly James and his wife, Licia Clifton-James, Ph.D., will serve as honorary chairs, which dovetails with the Mayor’s Race and Inclusion Initiative unveiled in his “State of the City” address last March. Dr. Lisa Klein and Jamie Allen are serving as the 2018 Diversity Dinner Event Chairs.

To purchase a ticket to sit at a community table or to be a table sponsor, click here.

Diversity Dinner

• 5 PM – 6 pm – Patron Party Reception at the Intercontinental Rooftop Bar
• 6 – 6:30 PM – Dinner Registration
• 6:30 PM – Dinner

For Diversity Dinner ticket and sponsorship information, click here.

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KC Author to Discuss “From Liberty to Magnolia: In Search of the American Dream”

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KCFAA, Rainy Day Books to Host Special Author Series

Thursday, July 26, 2018 (Kansas City) – Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA), in partnership with Rainy Day Books, will host a special Author Series featuring Kansas City’s own Dr. Janice Ellis on July 31.

A Conversation with Dr. Janice Ellis will be facilitated by Rainy Day Books Owner Vivien Jennings and will delve into the inspirational story behind, “From Liberty to Magnolia: In Search of the American Dream.”

KCFAA Author Series
7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 31
Unity Temple on the Plaza
707 W 47th St
Kansas City, MO 64112

The Author Series, a Complimentary Open House Event, is sponsored by Spencer Fane and is open to the public. A special reception will take place at 5:30 p.m. for KCFAA members.

To become a member, visit: www.kcfaa.org/join.
To RSVP for the event, visit: https://kcfaa.org/author-series/#rsvp

“From Liberty to Magnolia” takes you on the journey of an African-American woman from rural, segregated Mississippi through academia, corporate America, and politics. The story shows how she triumphed even when the realities of racism and sexism tried to deter her.

The book tells the broader story of what the Civil Rights Act and Equal Rights Amendment have meant and have not meant for blacks and women from a first-hand account, as she has lived through their maturation during the last 50 years.

“From Liberty to Magnolia” shows readers, especially aspiring women and minorities, how to navigate and ultimately embrace the challenges at every major crossroads and be triumphant. It includes a study guide for book clubs, classes, group discussions, and community forums.

Dr. Ellis’ book is available for preorder and purchase at Rainy Day Books, www.rainydaybooks.com. Copies will also be available for purchase and signing at the Author Series event.

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AileyCamp Final Performances July 6 & 7

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Since its inception, AileyCamp, a program offered through Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA), has impacted the lives of more than 5,000 youth in the Greater Kansas City area. The program is celebrating 30 years of inspiring and educating youth and is getting ready for their final performances next month.

“Celebrating 30 years of AileyCamp is a true testament to the need in our communities. We are filling that need by providing inspiration and education to kids with social, domestic and academic challenges,” said KCFAA Chief Artistic Director Tyrone Aiken. “We are proud to honor the late Alvin Ailey’s vision of bringing the best in arts education to students across the U.S.”

AileyCamp is a six-week summer day camp that introduces students to the physical and mental elements of dance. Through dance education, campers increase their leadership skills and enjoy a variety of athletic and social activities. They learn that dance is challenging, fun, and helps them in school, in sports and in life!

From day one, campers work toward an end-of-season presentation that highlights everything they learned, including that the arts require discipline, focus, flexibility and acceptance.

Come out to support AileyCamp at one or both of their final performances!

Friday, July 6
11:00 a.m.
Washburn University, White Concert Hall
1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, KS 66621
Saturday, July 7
6:00 p.m.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108
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AileyCamp Hosts Open House

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We are so excited to welcome guests to AileyCamp this year.  Today, we toured Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts and watched the kids and their instructors in action.

AileyCamp is celebrating 30 YEARS and we can’t continue to provide this inspirational and educational youth program without the support of our community, local companies and dedicated individuals.

AileyCamp is a six-week summer day camp that introduces students to the physical and mental elements of dance. Through dance education, campers increase their leadership skills and enjoy a variety of athletic and social activities. They learn that dance is challenging, fun, and helps them in school, in sports and in life!

This type of programming can be crucial to closing education gaps. By sixth grade, students in middle-income families receive more than 4,000 hours of afterschool and summer learning than students in low-income families. Each year, 100 boys and girls in Missouri and 100 boys and girls in Kansas are selected to attend AileyCamp for free (a $1,275 value per camper).  The cost is covered by KCFAA thanks to cash and in-kind donations from corporations, foundations, government agencies, community groups and individuals.

AileyCamp participants receive breakfast, lunch and daily dance classes — along with dance attire, dance shoes and a dance bag — as well as other creative communication instruction, such as spoken word, creative writing, visual arts, percussion or theater classes.

In case you missed today’s open house, another one is scheduled tomorrow.  Check out the videos of today’s event!  And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the AileyCamp final performances July 6 & 7!

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday June 6

West Middle School

2600 N 44th St., Kansas City, KS 66104

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KCFAA Summer Dance Intensive in Full Swing

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Not sure what the summer dance intensive is all about?  Check out the talent in this video!

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey conducts a 4-week summer dance intensive in partnership with the Kansas City Public Schools for students in grades 9-12 that focuses on ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop dance technique classes, and yoga classes in addition to dance repertory classes. Students participate in two technique classes daily in addition to learning choreography for a performance at the end of the session.

Stay tuned for details on their final performance!

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Join us for Juneteenth at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art!

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KCFAA is honored to perform at the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art June 9!  Come celebrate with us and enjoy performances from our young, talented dancers.  Stay for additional performances and experience the music, demonstrations, dance, art and history this exciting event has to offer.

Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey Dance Performance
1:45-2:15 p.m. Atkins Auditorium | Enjoy dynamic dances under the choreography of Tyrone Aiken.

For more information on this event, click here.

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KCFAA to Participate in, Benefit From Topeka Gives

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KCFAA is a proud recipient of matched grants from Topeka Gives. Come  join us and show your support for the mission and vision of KCFAA on June 5!

How will your gift be used?

AileyCamp 2017 Missouri and Kansas final performance at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts.

$250 helps fund one week of tuition for a camper.
$90 helps fund one 50-minute dance workshop for 30 students
$35 provides dancewear for one AileyCamper

Each year, up to 30% of the Campers that attend AileyCamp Kansas for free (a $1,275 value per camper) come from the Topeka area. KCFAA works hard to cover the cost via donations from corporations, foundations, government agencies, community groups and individuals.

How will your gift be matched by Topeka Gives?
Through Topeka Gives, the Topeka Community Foundation is offering a pro-rated match and NOT a dollar-for-dollar match.

Is there a minimum or maximum donation amount?
There is a $25 minimum gift. While there is no maximum gift amount … The maximum amount to be matched per donor will be $1,000/organization with a five organization maximum. There also is a limit of 5 agencies per donor contribution.

Please join us Tuesday, June 5 at 7 a.m. at the Fairlawn Plaza, 2114 SW Chelsea Dr, Topeka, Kansas 66614.  For more information, click here.

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AileyCamp Celebrates 30 Years, Open Houses June 5 & 6

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Since its inception, AileyCamp, a program offered through Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA), has impacted the lives of more than 5,000 youth in the Greater Kansas City area.  This year, the program celebrates 30 years and welcomes 200 kids for a summer of fun and education. 

“Celebrating 30 years of AileyCamp is a true testament to the need in our communities.  We are filling that need by providing inspiration and education to kids with social, domestic and academic challenges,” said KCFAA Chief Artistic Director Tyrone Aiken.  “We are proud to honor the late Alvin Ailey’s vision of bringing the best in arts education to students across the U.S.”

AileyCamp is a six-week summer day camp that introduces students to the physical and mental elements of dance. Through dance education, campers increase their leadership skills and enjoy a variety of athletic and social activities. They learn that dance is challenging, fun, and helps them in school, in sports and in life!

This type of programming can be crucial to closing education gaps. By sixth grade, students in middle-income families receive more than 4,000 hours of afterschool and summer learning than students in low-income families. Each year, 100 boys and girls in Missouri and 100 boys and girls in Kansas are selected to attend AileyCamp for free (a $1,275 value per camper).  The cost is covered by KCFAA thanks to cash and in-kind donations from corporations, foundations, government agencies, community groups and individuals.

AileyCamp participants receive breakfast, lunch and daily dance classes — along with dance attire, dance shoes and a dance bag — as well as other creative communication instruction, such as spoken word, creative writing, visual arts, percussion or theater classes.

From day one, campers work toward an end-of-season presentation that highlights everything they learned, including that the arts require discipline, focus, flexibility and acceptance. “There are differences in all of the arts — how you can hear music or tell a story,” Aiken says.

Despite the deep, creative engagement opportunities, Aiken says the foundation and focus of the camp is personal development.

AileyCamp runs May 30 through July 7.  Campers will present the Joy of Dance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Saturday, July 7. 6:00 PM.

“Our youth have so much potential. Every year we’re looking for students to discover new possibilities and it’s exciting to see them grow, to graduate and move forward on their path to success,” Aiken said.

AileyCamp alum across the country have come back to support the program in one way or another.  Some have sent their own kids through the camp.  Others come back as teachers, staff members or volunteers.  With local, regional and national advocates for AileyCamp, Aiken hopes to see the program continue to grow – not only in the number of students they serve but in the amount of donations they receive.

Misty Copeland, the first African-American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, was interviewed on CNN this week discussing the importance of inclusion in dance and is pictured with AileyCamp participants.

“It costs a lot of money to provide this motivational experience to our kids,” Aiken said.  ““We invite everyone to welcome our campers at one or both of our open houses and learn more about AileyCamp.”

 

2018 AileyCamp OPEN HOUSES

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday June 5

Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts

4747 Flora Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64110

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday June 6

West Middle School

2600 N 44th St., Kansas City, KS 66104

 

Kansas City was awarded a competitive national grant from the Gannett Foundation to develop a replicable innovative summer program for middle school students in the KCMO School district. AileyCamp has received many awards and honors, including the prestigious Coming Up Taller Award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and three federal agencies.  In Nov. 2016, Michelle Obama presented AileyCamp Miami with the 2016 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the highest honor for creative, out-of-school youth development programs.

For more information on AileyCamp and all of KCFAA’s programs, visit www.kcfaa.org 

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