User:JBhasare/sandbox

 Overview 

The Brothers’ Network was founded in 2008 by Gregory T Walker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a non-profit organization with a focus on creating a new narrative around the abilities of men of the African Diaspora through high art and high culture. The Brothers’ Network continues in its 7th year being funded for its work through the prestigious Knight Foundation and individual donors around the world. Their current headquarters is in Philadelphia's Pipeline Office.

 Mission & Vision 

Mission


 * The Brothers’ Network is a cultural organization for Black men engaged in generosity, compassion, and intellectual discourse that will provide innovative approaches to create new social norms while building a sense of well-being through the use of Art, Culture and Socio-Political actions.


 * Support and foster forward thinking individuals and institutions that also work to lead, shape and re-design the future with both quantitative and qualitative improvements for all members of the larger society.


 * Debunk existing myths and misconceptions about Black men and articulate a new collective narrative for Black men.

Vision


 * Meet the needs of the evolving Black masculine identity by providing tools, skills and vocabulary to build better dreams and support better lives.


 * Acknowledge and accept the interdependence of society and grasp the transformative value of living by design and not by default.


 * Create positive enthusiasm and support for Black men in Theater, Art, Culture and Literature.


 * Foster the notions of loving-kindness, openness and acceptance by encouraging an understanding of self and others without fear, shame or judgment and build a sense of global social consciousness and political activism.


 * Remove the anti-intellectual stigma, shame and social isolation of Black men and promote self confidence, self-esteem and inter-generational supportive networks.

 Funders and Philanthropy 

The Brothers’ Network submitted its first grant proposal to the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund whose mission was to establish organizations through the lens of the Racial Equity Initiative, a funding stream out of NYC to create balanced minority led and operated organization that met the evolving needs of a diverse population. The lens of the Racial Equity Initiative spans across the US and the funding stream for new organizations was administered locally in the Mid-Atlantic, Southwest, Pacific and the Midwest. This initial grant, administered through the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund, enabled The Brothers’ Network to purchase a printer, laptop, and related equipment in order build and sustain a digital presence. The Brothers’ Network was funded for 2 consecutive years and exceeded the parameters set forth in the initial grant proposal by creating four times the amount of program activity during its first year in existence. Through these successive grants The Brothers’ Network grew its organizational capacity as social entrepreneurs engaging and informing the larger community in the creation of new narratives for African-American men. Dialogue and discourse book discussions, theater outings and post play discussions were the first kinds of activities that The Brothers’ Network sponsored. 24 such events were produced during The Brothers’ Network’s first year.The Miami Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the country, is The Brothers' Network's its fiscal agent and fiscal sponsor.

 Early Days 

The early construct of the group took the form of a reading circle, exploring the works of James Baldwin, Frantz Fanon, W.E.B. DuBois, and Hilton Chatterley. They also engaged in discourse and dialogue around lofty subjects including the pedagogy of oppression and the marginalization of the African-American body. Walker remained adamant that the conversations should not focus on the deficits, but stay keenly focused on the assets that the Black mind brings to the international platform.

The first formal event hosted by The Brothers’ Network occurred in the lower mezzanine of the Arts Condo Tower, located just off the Avenue of the Arts and was chronicled on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer in an article titled “The Brothers' Network Was Created for Brainy Philadelphia Guys”. That meeting set the course to build platforms that expose the talents and abilities of everyday Black Men. The founder, Gregory T Walker, conceptualized an organization that would frame and re-frame the brilliance of men of the African Diaspora using high art and high culture.

Founding members of The Brothers'Network


 * Gregory T. Walker


 * Professor Paule Turner


 * Anthony Monterio PhD


 * Antonio Williams


 * Ken Smith PhD


 * Noel Miles

Present Board Members


 * Colman Domingo


 * Tyrone Cannon Ed.D


 * Justin Bryant


 * Cosmo Whyte


 * Gerry Johnson

Past Board Members
 * William Ravenell III M.A. J.D.


 * V. Shayne Fredrick


 * Tchet Dorman


 * R. Eric Thomas


 * Sandy Smith


 * Noel Miles

 Global Expansion 

In the Fall of 2014, The Brothers’ Network expanded its reach globally into Europe through its partnership with Donald Muldrow PhD and Black International Cinema Berlin. Brothers’ Network member 22-year-old Codey Young serves as a global ambassador to invite individuals and institutions to become part of the movement that exemplifies the brilliance of men of the African Diaspora in high arts and high culture. Contemporary artist Cosmo Whyte, a board member of The Brothers’ Network, spent the summer of 2012 in Ghana and South Africa exploring the artistic importance of modern day dandies and the implication of the ultra stylized examination of what success might look like through the lens of an African society.

 Partnerships 

The Brothers’ Network since its inception in 2007 has partnered with major cultural institutions along the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia Theatre Company, and The Kimmel Center. Additionally, The Brothers’ Network has held events in conjunction with The National American Jewish History Museum, The National Constitution Center, Reading Terminal Market, and a host independently owned and operated coffee shops and restaurants. Whole Foods was the first to provide healthy food and snacks for events and programs. Later events and Black Tie Galas were held at high end restaurants Sbraga, Volvér, and Tashan bringing a full circle experience to the culinary contributions of African-American Chefs who think, create and act outside of the box.

 Key Programs 

To date The Brothers’ Network has coordinated over 300 events that were funded by individual donations and in-kind support from men and women around the world who believe in our ability to change the narrative and create platforms to tell the stories of excellence using high art and high culture. The biggest projects to date have been producing and supporting the work of August Wilson, Colman Domingo, Daniel Beaty, and Katori Hall. Each year The Brothers’ Network chooses themes that reflect and amplify how the black man’s mind is superior in managing and navigating racism in a larger context. In 2013, The Brothers’ Network selected the theme of the story of Henry "Box" Brown, an enslaved African who shipped himself to freedom in a wooden box right under the eyes of his white slave masters from Virginia to Philadelphia. The Brothers’ Network explored the “The Box” as the artistic reference point to share the story of Henry “Box” Brown and his accomplishments as a writer, essayist, thinker, playwright and showman not only in the United States but also in Europe in 1871.

Notable Events


 * "America I Am: The African American Imprint" exhibit at National Constitution Center in 2009 tour and talk with Tavis Smiley


 * Storyteller Series at Moonstone Arts Center 2010


 * “Yinka Shonibare MBE: Magic Ladders” Special Exhibit at The Barnes Foundation 2014


 * Black Tie Gala at Philadelphia Theater Company 2013


 * Black Tie Gala at Volvér 2014