Announcing the 2022 PHF Community Engagement Grant Awardees
Part of our mission to protect, preserve and perpetuate New Orleans musical traditions includes working to strengthen the ecosystem of the city’s cultural community, partnering with fellow cultural organizations, sharing resources and knowledge, and facilitating connections that benefit the cultural community.
In 2020, as venues closed and in-person performances came to a halt in New Orleans due to COVID, the Preservation Hall Foundation was able to provide 20 culture bearers, musicians and community organizations with a Community Engagement Grant in hopes that each recipient would be able to continue their amazing work through the tough times. We connected with awardees through partnerships, shared educational experiences, and written and visual storytelling.
Preservation Hall Foundation Community Engagement Grants are back for 2022 as we continue the long road to post-COVID cultural revitalization. We are thrilled to introduce a selection of this year’s awardees of the PHF Community Engagement Grant, and look forward to highlighting these outstanding members of the community in the weeks and months ahead – be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates on additional awardees and more about these cultural pillars of our community:
Dodie Smith-Simmons
Civil rights activist, Freedom Rider, founding member of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and one of Preservation Hall’s first staffers
More about Dodie Smith-Simmons
Gwen Thompkins
Host of WWNO's Music Inside Out and former NPR foreign correspondent covering East Africa
More about Gwen Thompkins
Kasimu Harris
Artist, photographer and writer documenting Black culture
More about Kasimu Harris
Leslie Cooper
Founder of Pass It On instrument exchange and New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp
More about Leslie Cooper
Monique Moss
Historian, choreographer, curator and Artistic Director of Third Eye Theatre Interdisciplinary and Improvisational Performance Company
More about Monique Moss
Pableaux Johnson
Photographer and writer
More about Pableaux Johnson
Papa Titos Sompa
Master percussionist and community leader
More about Papa Titos Sompa
Pat Byrd
Daughter of Professor Longhair and cultural activist
More about Pat Byrd
Polo Silk Terrell
Photographer, artist and published author documenting 30+ years of New Orleans Black culture
More about Polo Silk
Organizations
Art Camp 504
Increasing access to high-quality art education through advanced in-person and virtual workshops for young artists of all income levels
More about Art Camp 504
Cuba NOLA
Using the power of live music, dance, festivity and diversity to promote cultural wellness and equity
More about Cuba NOLA
The Cultural Curriculum Project
Teaching and preserving art, culture and history through field trips that engage students with culture bearers and community leaders
More about the Cultural Curriculum Project
GLBL WRMNG
Changing the climate of the music industry while respecting, educating, & expanding the culture via a New Orleans-based artist, producer, creative & music business collective
More about GLBL WRMNG
Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp
Developing the next generation of jazz artists through jazz education programs
More about the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp
Music & Culture Coalition of New Orleans
Working at the intersection of New Orleans culture, public policy, and social justice.
More about MACCNO
The Neighborhood Story Project
Producing books, exhibits, events, and courses that share the complex stories of South Louisiana with each other and the world
More about the Neighborhood Story Project
New Orleans Airlift & Music Box Village
Artist-driven non-profit organization whose mission is to collaborate to inspire wonder, connect communities, and foster opportunities through arts education and the creation of experimental public artworks
More about Music Box Village
New Orleans' Musicians Clinic & Assistance Foundation
Affordable, comprehensive health & social services for musicians & culture bearers
More about the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic
One Book, One New Orleans
Working to provide literacy resources to adults and emphasizing the importance of dialogue between diverse groups of people
More about One Book, One New Orleans
Original Pinettes Brass Band
New Orleans-based all-female brass band – the only all-female brass band in the world
More about the Pinettes Brass Band
The Roots of Music
Empowering the youth of New Orleans through music education, academic support, and mentorship, while preserving and promoting the unique musical and cultural heritage of our city.
More about the Roots of Music
Upturn Arts
Teaching children in the New Orleans community to explore and build confidence in themselves as artists
More about Upturn Arts
Stay tuned for our social media for feature stories on these incredible community leaders.