The graduation celebrates 10 years of GBCA’s commitment to providing professional development and leadership training to Baltimore’s emerging leaders of color
BALTIMORE, MD – The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) will be welcoming Baltimore’s Mayor Brandon M. Scott, City Council President, Nick J. Mosby, and other special guests to its Urban Arts Leadership 10th year graduation ceremony slated for Thursday, June 22, at 6p.m. The event will be held at the Motor House Theater at 120 W North Avenue, Baltimore. A reception following the ceremony will be held at Nancy by SNAC located at 131 W North Avenue, Baltimore.
“This year, we celebrate the 10th year anniversary of GBCA’s Urban Art Leadership; what an honor to serve the arts sector, as well as social justice practices by training leaders of color,” said Kibibi Ajanku, Director of Equity and Inclusion at GBCA. “I have been involved with this amazing initiative since its very inception, and I have watched each cohort thrive and enrich the arts landscape.”
The program’s 2023 Cohort Juan Ogando, Tracy Stevens, and Adriana Vélez have completed the requirements of the 10-month-long professional development and leadership training and will be celebrated on Thursday.
“Over the past ten years, it has been an honor to learn from our many community stakeholders who have helped to develop and guide Urban Arts Leadership with the leadership, first of, David Mitchell, who founded the program, and then Kibibi Ajanku, the program’s current Director,” said Jeannie Howe, Executive Director at GBCA. “These voices have helped to ensure the success of our Fellows through the process of growing and refining Urban Arts Leadership and increasing equity practices in the arts sector.”
A flagship program of GBCA, Urban Arts Leadership was launched in 2013 to heighten the participation of historically underrepresented groups in Baltimore, particularly those of color, in the management of cultural and artistic organizations.
Now in its 10th year, the Urban Arts Leadership program has trained over 45 Fellows and connected a diverse pool of emerging leaders with arts organizations, arts service organizations, and art-driven businesses that are committed to racial equity and inclusion. The Initiative is a workforce development fellowship, and placement is awarded to high-achieving emerging leaders. The program champions policies and practices of racial and cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, and equitable nation.
To RSVP, please email Renz Balagtas, GBCA’s Equity Manager at [email protected]. To learn more about GBCA and the Urban Arts Leadership program, visit www.baltimoreculture.org/UAL.
About GBCA
The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) creates equity and opportunity In, Through,
and For arts and culture in Greater Baltimore. A leading nonprofit provider of services to
artists and cultural organizations in the region, GBCA believes in unifying and strengthening all members of the creative community. We do this through marketing, education, financial support, and developing innovative programs that increase equity in the cultural sector and beyond.
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Media Contact:
Richard Okonkwo
(410) 230-0200
[email protected]
