 Step Afrika! Selected As A Grantee Of Bloomberg Philanthropies' Arts Innovation and Management ProgramSTEP AFRIKA! will participate in $43 million program as part of two-year grant opportunity
By: Step Afrika! 
DSC_4167 "STEP AFRIKA! is tremendously grateful for the financial support and training provided by the AIM program. On the heels of our 25th Anniversary, this is not only great news but an incredible opportunity to help us plan strategically for the organization's future," said C. Brian Williams, founder and Executive Director of Step Afrika! AIM targets arts non-profits because of the vital role that they play in building communities, driving local economies and supporting artists. "The arts inspire people, provide jobs, and strengthen communities," Bloomberg Philanthropies will develop curricula and conduct seminars for the program in partnership with leading experts, including the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland, led by Institute Chairman Michael M. Kaiser and President Brett Egan. AIM organizations will engage in activities that strengthen their long-term health and goals, and will receive one-on-one consultations and implementation support for organization leaders and their boards. All organizations invited to participate in the 2018 expansion of the AIM program are nonprofits that have been in existence for at least two years. Participating organizations will be required to secure 20% of their AIM grant in matching dollars; reach 100% board participation in fundraising; Since 2011, AIM has helped more than 500 small and mid-sized organizations in all creative disciplines, including theater, visual arts, music, film, literature and dance. Participating organizations reported significant improvements in board development, fundraising and overall income over the two-year program. Watch this video for an overview of the Arts Innovation and Management program: https://www.youtube.com/ About Step Afrika! Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping. The Company blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional dances from across the African continent; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement and cross-cultural understanding. The Company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through a 50-city tour of colleges and theaters and performs globally as Washington DC's one and only Cultural Ambassador. Step Afrika! now ranks as one of the top ten African American dance companies in the United States and is featured prominently at the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture with the world's first stepping interactive. To learn more, visit www.stepafrika.org About Bloomberg Philanthropies Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 480 cities in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $702 million. For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. Media Contact Bloomberg Philanthropies, Rebecca Carriero + 1 -212-205-0182 or rebeccac@bloomberg.org Step Afrika! Contact Lamar Lovelace, Deputy Executive Director, +1-202-399-7993 or llovelace@stepafrika.org Photo: https://www.prlog.org/ End
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