The Firm Voice Foundation (FVF) recognizes the healing power of art and the
need to respond to barriers that Black artists and art communities face due to
anti-Black racism. FVF’s Black Arts initiative strives to increase access to,
awareness of, and participation by Black artists, while amplifying the work of
Black artists and creating avenues for sustainable art practice.
Black art is part of an extraordinary legacy. Black artists are tireless advocates
because they live the reality of intersecting forms of discrimination and
therefore their creative expression encourages healing and empowerment.
Art has the power to forge connections and foster a sense of community
among survivors of abuse. Abuse, in its various forms, inflicts deep wounds
upon individuals, leaving scars that often go unseen.
Survivors of abuse carry a heavy burden of trauma, struggling to find avenues
for healing and restoration. Yet, amidst the darkness, a beacon of hope exists
in art's transformative power. Through the creative expression of the
Foundation’s Black Arts program, individuals and communities of African
descendant people across the diaspora who have experienced or are
survivors of abuse and discrimination may reclaim their voices, mend
shattered pieces of their identity, and embark on a journey toward healing and
empowerment.
The Firm Voice Foundation (FVF) is also committed to expanding the
understanding and expression of Peace and to foster Peacebuilders and
Peacebuilding activities by expanding awareness of and engaging in the
International Day of Peace (Peace Day), which is held annually on September
21st. The annual highlight of this Culture of Peace Initiative is the FVF’s
participation in the International Peace Festival, which provides an opportunity
for the Foundation’s Black artists and Black-led, Black-focused and Black-
serving organizations to work together, on a shared date, to engage in
creative acts of Peace with year-round impact.