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 MISSION
Blackout Arts Collective (BAC) is a grassroots coalition of artists, activists and educators working to empower communities of color through the arts. We use the tools of culture and education to raise awareness and catalyze action around the critical issues that impact our communities. We believe in the power of the creative process to transform lives, mobilize communities, and build a more just society.
BAC is a national organization that operates through local action. In collaboration with other groups and campaigns that stand for justice, we continue to develop a network of artists and activists of color to foster positive social change.
Since its inception in 1997 BAC has been sustained by the love and dedication of artists, educators, and community organizers who volunteer their time, personal resources, and creativity to fulfill the mission and vision of BAC.
Support Blackout by making a tax deductible contribution through our fiscal sponsor New York Foundation for the Arts: http://www.nyfa.org/
 History
“It is special to have a vision but amazing
when people actually bring that vision to life. Thanks to the founders
and organizers of BAC and LOL from birth to present!! We will always
be joined by new visionaries who bring new dreams and plans to life.
Yesss!” -Johonna McCants, D.C chapter
Seven Years, Seven Chapters…
1997 A group of students and artists came
together to organize the first Blackout showcase. Hundreds of people
where turned away at the door as the venue filled to capacity and
Blackout Arts Collective was born.
1998 BAC begins facilitating interactive workshops
in schools and community organizations. The first workshops were
held at Make the Road By Walking and East Harlem Tutorial Program.
1999 Founding member Bryonn Bain traveled
to Massachusetts to attend Harvard School of Law sensing the need
for a Blackout in Boston participates in the founding of the second
chapter of BAC.
2000 The New Haven chapter of BAC is launched
and hosts the second Blackout retreat.
BAC partners with Freedom Academy High School in Brooklyn. Students
receive credit toward graduation to attend a Blackout course that
integrates the arts and political education. The course continues
to be one the most popular electives at Freedom Academy.
2001 The U.S now incarcerates more people
than any other country and BAC launches the Lyrics on Lockdown Tour
in response to the crisis. The tour travels to five cities performing
and facilitating workshops in community centers and detention facilities.
Members of the New Haven chapter collectively write the groundbreaking
theatrical production “WHAT IT IZ: The Spokenwordical”. Inspired
by the 1970’s classic, The Wiz, the play integrates musical theatre
and spoken word poetry to create a whole new genre.
2002 The Lyrics on Lockdown Tour Travels to
17 cities nationwide and inspires the launch of two new chapters
in Houston and New Orleans.
2003 Three members of BAC move to D.C and
bring the movement with them. The D.C chapter is launched.
A national retreat is held in Philadelphia bringing together representatives
from seven cities. Artists, activist, and educators from New York,
Boston, New Orleans, Houston, Washington D.C, Philadelphia, and
New Haven came together for the first time and fully realize the
magnitude of what they have created.
2004 BAC completes a strategic planning process
to create an infrastructure and programmatic direction for the organization.
A retreat is held in Atlanta, the site of our youngest chapter,
and the plan is approved by representatives of BAC’s now seven active
chapters.
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“Think
of Blackout like "Big Mama's House". We have a host of relatives.
We got crazy uncles, drunk aunties, thug cousins with their ears to
the streets, boo-gee folk that act better than urrbody else. We got
proper city folk and down home country folk. We got fam that can articulate
in academia, the board room, city and state politics and politic in
the projects and prison industrial complex. This is "Home"
and you are family. We can leave but we can always come back home. There
will always be a room, a chair at the table and a plate of food waiting
for you in "Big Mama's House".”
-Michael Bonds, Boston chapter
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