Our Impact

 

Last year’s Juneteenth Arts and Awareness Festival was a truly memorable celebration, even on a gloomy summer day. Despite some hurdles, including 10 vendors and 20 volunteers being unable to attend, we welcomed an amazing 702 attendees. The event featured inspiring guest speakers, electrifying live performances, and the historic raising of the first-ever Juneteenth flag in Lawrence. We proudly partnered with the City of Lawrence and were thrilled to have Hot96.9 as special guests and sponsors, adding extra energy to the day.

The festival was not just about celebrating arts and culture, it also highlighted the importance of mental health awareness, creating a space for meaningful dialogue alongside the festivities. Thanks to the incredible support from our community, we reached our fundraising goal and gave back to three local organizations: Change The Play INC, Tres Sueños Morados, and Exposed Brick literary Magazine, awarding $750 each for a total of $2,250. Next year, we are aiming to double that amount, further amplifying our impact.

Looking ahead, we are planning for an even larger event with an anticipated attendance of 1,000 to 2,000 people. The Juneteenth Arts and Awareness Festival was a resounding success, and we are excited to continue growing and celebrating together, bigger and better for the community of Lawrence

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Make An Impact

Our mission is to launch Lawrence, MA’s first-ever Juneteenth “Arts & Awareness” festival, a dynamic event highlighting our shared connection through the African diaspora. Through engaging vendors, historical reenactments and shared historical artifacts we aim to showcase the diverse cultural heritage embedded within Lawrence, MA. Additionally, we are committed to supporting three to five local nonprofits/businesses, empowering their missions and fostering community resilience. Together, we embark on this historic endeavor to honor, educate, and unify our community in celebration of Juneteenth.

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Become A Sponsor

SILVER

$2,500

  • Social Media Coverage
  • Vendor table included

GOLD

$3,500

  • Social Media Coverage
  • Vendor table included
  • Inclusion in press release before and after the event
  • Gold Sponsor Certificate & trophy

DIAMOND

$5,000

  • Social Media Coverage
  • Vendor tables w. Tent included (Prime location)
  • Inclusion in press release before and after the event
  • Custom social media content for your business (videos & pictures)
  • Custom Diamond Sponsorship certificate
  • 2 minutes to speak

PLATINUM

$10,000

  • 1 Available
  • Only Sponsor
  • Custom Platinum banner
  • Platinum sponsor certificate
  • Website Highlight
  • 5 mins to speak
  • Everything in the Diamond sponsorship

2024 Sponsors / Donors

Get Involved

FOR MORE INFO
Email: Artsandawareness978@gmail.com
Michael: (978)429-9311
Lisa: (978)276-9286

Organizers

Michael Bastien

CEO of Brothers In Arms Men’s Support Circle

Michael Bastien is a first-generation Haitian American who grew up in Lawrence, MA, a predominantly Hispanic city in New England. Overcoming challenges such as being a minority and struggling with a speech impediment, Michael has emerged as a resilient leader and advocate for change in his community. He organized the largest Black Lives Matter street mural in Lawrence, MA, and Co-founded a men’s mental health nonprofit (Brothers in Arms Men’s Support Circle) aiming to serve 1 million men & youth nationwide and de-stigmatize the views on men’s mental health.

Click here to read our latest Eagle Tribune Feature!

Driven by his own struggles with mental health, Michael is deeply passionate about promoting mental wellness and resilience. Through Brothers In Arms Men’s Support Circle his team has already served over 180 men and youth ages 7 – 80 years old across the Merrimack Valley and hosted two retreats. Michael believes in the power of self-belief and faith to overcome obstacles, exemplifying this through his commitment to personal growth and improvement. He spends his days working out, reading, studying, and journaling, striving to be 1% better every day. Michael’s mantra, “If you don’t believe in yourself, how do you expect others to?” reflects his unwavering determination to make a positive impact and inspire others to achieve their fullest potential.

Website: www.biacircle.com

President of the Greater Lawrence Fellowship of the Arts

Lisa Miller-Gillespie is originally from Denver, CO, but has called MA home for the past 24 years. Lisa studied jazz, modern, ballet dance while living in Colorado. Her personal style can be described as a fusion of the various disciplines she has studied. Some theatrical productions have included: August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” at the Vokes Theater, Lynn Nottage’s “By The Way, Meet Vera Stark” at the Quannapowitt Theater, Rinde Eckert’s “Highway Ulysses” at the ART, as well as “The Full Monty” and “The Crucible” at Acting Out Theater.

She has also directed “Court Martial at Fort Devens” at Arlington Friends of the Drama and “A Long Trip” “Being Unreasonable” and “The Wedding Story” at Acting Out Theater. Lisa had the honor of curating American Dream with Paula Estey of the Paula Estey Gallery for Arts and Activism. She recently spoke to a group of young girls at Esperanza Academy for International Women’s Day. Lisa is also executive director and co-founder of the Greater Lawrence Fellowship of the Arts,

Website: www.greaterlawrencearts.org

Lisa Miller-Gillespie