Gaithersburg, Maryland, November 13, 2018 — Story Tapestries presented a unique invitation-only event, called Threads of Change: Supporting Our Stories, to present the first annual Community Voices Awards and to launch their presence in The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. The event was hosted at the appointment-only Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum in Bethesda, Maryland.
During this visually and emotionally stimulating event, Story Tapestries recognized the following honorees for their dedication to unity through the arts:
Carol Trawick, Founder of the Trawick Foundation
Fred Brown, Civil Rights Activist
Mimi Hassanein, Office of Community Partnerships and Activist
Regie Cabico, Award-winning Poet, Performing and Teaching Artist
Willkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP
In addition, two local students were recognized for their contributions and involvement in Amplify US! Initiative. Amplify US! is a community-driven initiative designed to use the arts to build cultural bridges.
Here is a highlight from our Community Voices Award honoree, Fred Brown, a man who knew Martin Luther King –
In the 1950’s, Fred’s employer told him that Dr. King was looking for drivers. Fred’s access to the funeral home’s limousine and ambulance made him a natural to drive incognito. Fred’s interactions with King and others in the civil rights movement were a formative experience in his life.
“With his gifts, Martin Luther King could have done anything; he could have made a lot of money,” Fred says. “But he knew in his heart that he had a higher purpose, that life is about helping people.”
Threads of Change guests were able to explore the Museum while enjoying refreshments and were welcomed by Executive Director, Arianna Ross, and a myriad of staff, board members and volunteers. Young local talent, Senia Chavez, entertained guests on the piano as they arrived and local artist and activist, Athena Corbin, led a community art project throughout the evening giving guests the opportunity to leave their mark with colorful fabrics. Each honoree shared a story with attendees and brought their experiences to life through spoken word. Special Honored Guest, Carol Trawick, announced that the Trawick Foundation will continue to support a TeamUp project that Story Tapestries has actively worked on at Montgomery Village Middle School. Matt Gayer of the Catalogue For Philanthropy shared with guests this comment from their reviewers, “Over the years I have reviewed a host organizations but Story Tapestries is my favorite thus far! Story Tapestries’ mission and art programs have what it takes to receive my recognition and recommendation for acceptance into this year’s catalogue.”
Story Tapestries, headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, was founded in 2010 by international performing and teaching artist, Arianna Ross. “Story Tapestries truly believes in the power of the arts to empower, educate and engage. This year is our first annual presentation of the Community Voices Awards to honor community members and leaders who represent the three core values of Story Tapestries: Empower, Educate, Engage. The moment arrived for Story Tapestries to create a time and space for these unique voices to be heard and to shine light on their incredible impact.”
The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington has selected Story Tapestries, Inc. to be part of the Class of 2018-19. The Catalogue has recognized how Story Tapestries uses the power of the Arts woven with STEM, Literacy, Social Development, and other strategies to educate and empower communities to develop blueprints for success. This year the Catalogue celebrates its 16th anniversary: since its inception it has raised $40 million for nonprofits in the region. It also offers trainings, neighborhood-based opportunities for collaboration, and a speakers series for individuals who want to learn about and engage with the needs, challenges, and accomplishments of our shared community. “People want to know where to give and they need trusted information. Based on our in-depth review, we believe that Story Tapestries, Inc. is one of the best community-based nonprofits in the region,” says Bob Wittig, Executive Director of the Catalogue for Philanthropy. You can visit the Catalogue at: https://www.cfp-dc.org/nonprofits/1723/Story-Tapestries-Inc/
About Story Tapestries:
Story Tapestries promotes the power of storytelling to introduce positive change in the community, and empowers educators across the globe to creatively weave music, dance and other art forms into language arts, science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. These practices are used to help individuals overcome economic, cultural and emotional barriers. For more information, listen to the radio show, “A Kind Voice,” which recently interviewed Arianna where she discussed Story Tapestries’ initiative on Global Giving to use arts-based methods to approach STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education. You can hear to the full interview here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/akindvoice/2018/10/25/a-kind-voice-radio–arianna-ross). Learn more by visiting: www.storytapestries.org.