Why Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center and ARCH are major players in Ward 8's creative scene

The house-like structure at 3200 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave may be understated on the outside but what takes place behind its walls (and on it's roof) is not. Big things happen here and incorporate the most important resource Ward 8 has to offer: community. 

If you don't already know, Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center (CHACC) has some of THE BEST programming being offered in Congress Heights and Ward 8. They have a great mix of the eclectic, engaging and interesting events and workshops.  Every time I peruse their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds I see programs and events I really want to attend -- if only I had the time! That said, don't follow my very poor example, make time for these amazing events, workshops, classes, happy hours, festivals, camps, etc. They clearly have been designed with an understanding and appreciation of the interest and talent that abides in our community. 

Keyonna Jones-Lindsay

A huge round of applause and #BlackGirlMagic props goes to Keyonna Jones-Lindsay for leading such a dynamic team of creatives and visionaries, for incorporating a real sense of "community" in their community-driven programming. It's an easy thing to say that's what you are doing, it's another thing to actually do it. I think CHACC's success can be directly tracked back to their leadership and staff; the CHACC team reflects the very demographic, passion and needs of the people they serve. That is not a small thing.

Anacostia Arts Center, a project of ARCH

So while CHACC's footprint may be smaller in comparison to some of the other nearby facilities and campuses, their impact is in fact very large. CHACC reminds me of the great work of another Ward 8 nonprofit, ARCH Development in Anacostia which gave me my start as an entrepreneur and an amazing career for over five years. It's no accident that these two organizations which are the smallest (and often most underfunded) Ward 8 nonprofits have had the biggest and most lasting impact on the community. They were able to do that by staying true and honest to their mission, by seeing value beyond the sway of donor dollars and glitter of public accolades. They may not get the big corporate sponsorships, but they have the most enviable of all endorsements: street credibility and community buy-in. The great thing about street cred is that you can't fake it. You either have it or you don't.

Nonprofits like CHACC and ARCH see the value in truly incorporating "us" into "them." They aren't trying to "save" us, they want to do their part to provide a platform for us to shine in our own community with our own beautiful brightness, talent and creativity. We as members of the community are already powerful; we deserve these creative hubs of quality, steeped in sincerity and equality. Everyone has a seat at the table because it is first and foremost, a community table. 

And that's not just a sound bite or a line in a grant request. It's real life. Life on the streets. 

So I advise community members to support these organizations by attending and promoting their events.

I firmly suggest that DC government funds these organizations at levels befitting the great work they are doing in the community, not just creatively but economically. They are too busy working to be lobbying for funding. They need DC government to meet them where they are and find ways to partner on a lasting level to build sustainability. 

And I implore donors, corporations and foundations looking for a place to invest their funding and sponsorship budgets to consider these smaller yet community-driven organizations. A $5,000 check with a larger nonprofit or facility may buy you a seat at their next gala, but to smaller community-driven organizations, $5,000 can do a lot.  As someone who has worked with Ward 8 nonprofits for the past decade, we can do a lot with a little but boy would it be nice to finally have enough!  

And while I love the kids, foundations and corporate sponsors need to think outside of the public relations box and incorporate all members of the family (even single adults), and lead with something other than the "savior" complex. If your marketing and promotional materials only have smiling white faces "teaching" grateful black faces what message are you really sending? What value have you really placed on the people who you claim to serve? Where is the equity in that image? 

Ward 8 has its challenges, but resilience and pride isn't one of them. #SoutheastLove

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HEART IS: Consider making a contribution to CHACC here and ARCH here. Also, consider supporting other small but mighty Ward 8 creative hubs such as the Anacostia Playhouse, Project Create, HBC Reading Room and the America's Islamic Heritage Museum just to start.