Dana Thompson Memorial Fund of Awesome

Our objective is to offer space for Black youth to experiment and develop their artistic confidence.

We are creating a robust, safe, sustainable organization that centers Black families and offers year-round programs, workshops, events and spaces where youth can explore the arts, develop creative skills, and rock out.

Our strategies include: recruiting Black leadership for our board; hiring Black musicians to teach workshops, lessons and camps; hiring Black artists to perform at fundraising events and design event materials; partnering with other organizations to co-produce workshops and events where Black youth can experiment and develop their artistic confidence.

We provide direct support including honoraria, musical instruments, and tuition assistance for Black youth to complete arts-related summer camps and activities.

We increase access to the arts by connecting Black youth to workshops, lessons, camps, after-school programs, jam sessions, rock band formation, rehearsal spaces, mentoring, performance opportunities and more.

This year we are raising funds to create mobile and house-based spaces for our programs.

We are capable of meeting our goals because we have dedicated leaders who are active in the community we serve, including artists, musicians, small business owners and diversity practitioners.

Our capabilities include knowledge of the community, experience working with youth, understanding of DEI principles, physical space to hold events and activities, and a strong network of supporters, volunteers and strategic partners.

Since 2020 we have provided tuition and stipends for 15 Black youth to attend Portland's Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls.

We have worked with partner businesses and nonprofits to provide musical instruments and art supplies such as electric guitars, amplifiers, acoustic guitars, ukuleles and keyboards to 6 Black youth.

We have increased the diversity of our leadership by adding 3 Black women to our board.