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Black Artist Empowerment Grant Announces Award Recipients

A collage of three photos of Black artists including a woman smiling, a man working on glassblowing, and a male musician holding a guitar
Black Artist Empowerment Grant recipients Ifeoma, Percy Echols II, and Byron Nash // Photos by Christopher Sprowls, Leia Guo, and Anita Buzzy Prentiss

PITTSBURGH, PA—Ashanté Josey, Michael Carroll, and Kahlil Darden are proud to announce the 15 artists who will be awarded with a Black Artist Empowerment Grant, an initiative designed to uplift and support Black artists and creatives in Allegheny County. Artists who have been selected to receive funding to further their professional growth and creative exploration were nominated by their peers and community members.

The Black Artist Empowerment Grant recipients are:

  • Bird
  • Briana Green
  • Byron Nash
  • Charlese Dawson
  • Chrisarah Johnson
  • Dominique Swift
  • Ifeoma
  • Jajuan Hill
  • Jasano Brooks
  • Lauryn Parks
  • Percy Echols II
  • Quentin “Cue” Perry
  • sarah huny young
  • Tyler Belizaire
  • Tyler Watts  

These talented individuals represent a diverse range of artistic disciplines and contribute significantly to the cultural vibrancy of Greater Pittsburgh. Each awardee will receive a $500 cash award to support their artistic endeavors and professional development.

A collage of four Black artists including a smiling Black woman, Black male painter, Black woman poses next to a large photo, and a Black man posing for the camera
Black Artist Empowerment Grant recipients Charlese Dawson, Tyler Watts, sarah huny young, and Cue Perry // Photo of huny by Serena Lucille

“Art is the connective tissue that fortifies the vital structures of our region,” said Ashanté Josey, Michael Carroll, and Kahlil Darden, former members of the Black Arts Action Committee and founders of the grant initiative. “By providing resources to our most disadvantaged creatives, we expand the horizons of expression, nourishing all communities not with bread and water, but with culture and perspective.”

The Black Artist Empowerment Grant is made possible through funding from The Pittsburgh Foundation and is fiscally managed by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. Ashanté Josey, Michael Carroll, Kahlil Darden served as the grant review committee.

The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council will acknowledge and honor grantees during February’s Creative Hive, a networking and community-building event for artists and creatives. The event will take place on Tuesday, February 25 at Art & Soul Cafe (1125 Penn Ave., Downtown). 

A collage of four Black artists including a Black man eating, a Black woman painting, a Black man painting, and a Black woman posing for the camera
Black Artist Empowerment Grant recipients Jajuan Hill, Dominique Swift, Tyler Belizaire, and Bird // Photos by Dymond Jewell (Jajuan), Shelby Bonczek (Dominique), and Original Telegenic Productions (Bird)

"Artists and creatives are often overlooked when it comes to support and funding, frequently excluded from the broader conversation about small businesses," says grantee Quentin "Cue" Perry. "I am thrilled to have been selected as one of 15 recipients of the Black Artist Empowerment Grant, which will greatly support my creative practice." 

For more information about the Black Artist Empowerment Grant or the upcoming Creative Hive event, please contact info@pittsburghartscouncil.org. 

A selection of press-ready grantee photos can be downloaded here.

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Category

Grantmaking

About the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council builds a more resourced, connected, and informed arts sector, empowering artists and arts organizations throughout Southwestern PA. By sharing resources, fostering significant relationships, leading advocacy initiatives, and increasing public awareness of arts and culture, the Arts Council cultivates a thriving, vibrant arts community for the Greater Pittsburgh region.

For interviews with the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, image use requests, and any other media questions, please contact Director of Marketing and Communications Lisa Cunningham at lcunningham@pittsburghartscouncil.org.