We invite you to experience stories from across the city about what becomes possible when the builders, creators, and dreamers have what they need to thrive.
Making “Screwston” Strong
Screwed Up HQ says….
BIPOC Arts Network and Fund provided unrestricted funding to allow BIPOC-led collectives and organizations like Screwed Up HQ Non-Profit the opportunity to unapologetically take up space, ‘ball and parlay’, and plant seeds in Houston and the surrounding areas. It is my belief that if you consistently invest in BIPOC artists, creatives, and culture-bearers they will in return show up and show out for the City of Houston time and time again, thus reinforcing the infamous “Houston Strong”. With funding from BANF, Screwed Up HQ Non-Profit was able to serve more than 3,500 fans of DJ Screw during SCREW WEEK 2022. BANF understood the assignment and invested in a small non-profit like us, which speaks to the long-term investments, strategic plan, and ongoing efforts that BANF is making to be inclusive and well-versed in the Houston cultural and artistic landscape overall.
BANF contributed to an already existing cultural legacy of the late great DJ Screw and the fallen soldiers of the Screwed Up HQ Non-Profit, which, in return, magnified the impact and internal capacity of the organization. Our hope is that BANF will continue to invest in organizations like us who prioritize the marginalized, “forgotten,” and “underground” micro-communities of Houston or as we like to refer to it, Screwston.
Video by Brian Ellison
To Be Free
BANF’s supported the Black Man Project to create safe spaces for 150 Black men and boys so they could “be heard, seen, validated, to be vulnerable, to be free in a community that looks like them.” Listen to founder, Brian Ellison, share more.
Strong Organizations, Strong Communities, Strong Houston
Community Music Center of Houston says…
The BIPOC Arts Network and Fund (BANF) grant provided vital operational support to our organization, helping us maintain the resources needed to keep serving the community even during difficult times. This, in turn, resulted in several key benefits such as continued support for those we serve, employee retention, and enhanced organizational stability.
By nourishing our organization, we contributed to making Houston Strong by providing a unique cultural and artistic presence. This helped attract residents and visitors to our community who appreciate the arts. And, we provided much-needed services and resources which strengthened the local economy.
Photo by Community Music Center of Houston
Video by Pablo Rivera of Sur Fest
En Houston No Estamos Solos
Pablo Rivera of Sur Fest offers the gift of a song about the challenges of love and shares what it means to be recognized for Sur Fest’s many years of work.
Discover the Talent
Carolina Del Carmen of Houston Artists says….
Being selected as a recipient of the BANF grant itself was a major marker for our organization as it helped the self esteem of the organization and us as hard working creatives. We all know that we do what we do primarily out of passion, and consequently, to help other fellow artists and creatives. In essence, what we do is not for ourselves at all, so having an organization to back our efforts in any way does a lot. It also gives us credibility not just amongst our peers but amongst other art organizations, the City of Houston, and much more so that’s big in itself as well!
The grant helped Houston Artists confidently put on one large event in 2022 by helping to fund it with various things that we needed to pull it off including marketing for the event and the organization.
Additionally, being connected to various other grantees helped us expand our horizons, our reach and to get to know more people locally, nationally, and even internationally that we can now continue to collaborate with!
I think it’s important to continue to provide these sorts of grants and opportunities to BIPOC artists and organizations as we become the platforms that they also look to for help. It’s an honor and it’s much needed.
Photo by Houston Artists