AFRICA IN AMERICA

• For more than fifteen years, I’ve dedicated my life to using education and performance as tools to actively rewrite the narrative around African arts and culture; to usher students, institutions, audiences and communities at large to honor its vast, diverse, distinct and rich heritage and oh yes, to “Respect the Technique” of the dances!  So in 2014, I trademarked my mission Africa in America® as a brand that would be a primary resource for both professional African dance, music-based artists and art participants here in America while blending state-of-the–art visuals, and using the cutting-edge fashions of today. These styles include the music, dance, and cultural arts from North and South America, the Caribbean, West, and Central Africa. Since African- based arts have held a huge part in social justice both in America and the Diaspora, Africa in America® also is committed to continue this path by keeping our audience aware when it comes to community and organization building, grants and work opportunities, and many other ways that may inspire art communally, nationally, and/or internationally.

As advertising dollars focused on Black people/culture have reached an all-time high, funds dedicated to the arts and the education of the African Diaspora roots here in America are disproportiontely at an all time low and continue to decrease today. In academia, the arts, was once a saving grace in black schools as a means to connect to not just black pride, but also their ancestral roots. Today, these programs have been cut completely out of schools. It is now only available for those who are able to write grants to get funds that are only allocated only for specific styles and cultures; and anything from the African Diasporic umbrella are usually left as Black History Month demos that happen once a year. In business, they are becoming more and more keen on the Black buying power by now allocating trillions of dollars towards advertising products, classes, and services to them, yet over half of African-Americans have reported to still face some type of discrimination in their experiences in buying such products, the number of job given to them at these companies still hasn't increased, and their isn't an interest in focusing on not just Black pride, but it's role in the African Diaspora as a whole.

Our primary market are artists/creatives who actively participate and/or professionals in African Diasporic music, dance, and culture in the United States. These people allocate funds to attend universities for studies, take weekly music and dance classes in their perspective cities, buy active wear and clothing with Black Pride messages and/or positive affirmations, and travel.  Our secondary market that covers general dancers/fitness, musicians, academics, and tourists. Focusing on this market as well will bring in new participants of the culture and grows interest.

OUR MOVEMENT:

Africa in America® is the only brand that speaks to the specific needs for the Black Arts community, and has cultivated specific ways to change things for the better. Africa in America shines a light on African Diasporic music, dance, arts & culture through content on Patreon, Original Works Showcases, master workshops, Summer Reading Program, & a retail clothing line. Becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon is designed to help you discover, create, and contribute to taking your artistry to the next level!

PATREON:

www.patreon.com/africainamerica

On Patreon you will learn more about what Africa in America truly means, authentically explore African art, culture, and history - And how it is presented in the U.S and/or the western world, connect with global artists and hear what they have to say about living as a creative and career longevity, and most importantly, learn what it means to Respect The Technique.

What Your Membership Will Get You:

ARTVERSATIONS (Conversations w/ Established Artists from around the World)

BTS Exclusive Videos & Livestreams

Music & Dance Tutorials

Audition Calls for Dancers & Drummers

Special offers from our athleisure clothing line

AiA’s Chat Community

ANNUAL ORIGINAL WORKS SHOWCASE FOR AFRICAN DIASPORIC MUSIC AND DANCE:

Our Original Works Showcases of African Diasporic Music and Dance showcase excerpts of new works from artists to help build their name and possibly get their full repertoire on a stage either locally in Los Angeles or nationally. Each year carries a theme that resonates with the state of the community to highlight the forward movement happening with artists and the arts in the Los Angeles community and beyond.

MASTER DRUM AND DANCE WORKSHOPS/CAMPS:

Master Music and Dance Workshops represents as a 100% arts education platform where both musicians and dancers a like can be able to study with professional teachers from West Africa and the African Diaspora.

AIA ATH+LEISURE WEAR:

www.africainamericallc.com

Our Ath+Leisure Clothing Line allows for people to feel comfortable and stylish while they're being active while also educating others by promoting learning West African languages and/or positive affirmations.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM:

Our Summer Reading Program are for students ages 13-22 years who will be have a chance to build their own community as they are educated on Black Authors and their classic books. Every student receives their required book, specialized Africa in America T-shirt, bookmark, and Customized worksheet that covers the origins of the author and the book they are reading.  Once a week they meet through Zoom to discuss the chapters that were read for that week.  Our first year was during the height of Covid-19 in 2020 and we had over 30 students from here in America to Uganda reading Richard Wright's classics "Native Son" and "Black Boy"! 

WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP GOING:

• We are seeking funding because we simply have to practice what we preach:  If we require excellence, then we must treat others with that same excellence.  As a Black Woman-Owned Business, it has been pretty difficult to gain the necessary capital it takes to expand to becoming a reputable brand nationally, and it is only with the help of funders that we are able to do the following:
  • Give appropriate artists honorariams, theater rental/tech fees to produce our Annual Original Works Showcases post Covid-19
  • Pay Master Dance and Music teachers for Master Workshops and Camps
  • Pay artists to participate in podcasts/vodcasts, tutorials, #bts footage for our AIA subscription-based Patreon community
  • Pay team leaders/facilitators to lead our Summer Reading Program for students age 13-22
  • Expand our reach to meet the high demand for our Ath+leisure wear created by and created for movers and shakers

Our team comprises of artists who are truly gifted at so many different things, and so whatever comes up, these team players are there to make it happen:

Kara Mack-Founder/Owner/CEO

Karen Mack-Executive Assistant

Natalie Micciche-Artist/Facilitator/Assistant

Analecia Guthrie-Artist/Facilitator/Assistant

As a veteran producing director and artist, I have choreographed and danced for some of the biggest names in music, bringing traditional and diasporic African dance to major commercial stages. On the very short list are Usher, Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes and Gwen Stefani, as well as the NAACP Awards, BET Awards, the Grammys and so many more. I am able to do these things due to the Master dancers, drummers, and artistic community that continue to this day, yet this same community needs more financial support in order to not just survive, but thrive. Thank you so much for respecting the technique and joining the movement by paying it forward today!

Kara Mack

Founder/CEO