FEG Investment Advisors ’s Post

a great article to get you thinking

Art and music have long been powerful tools for protest, serving as vehicles for expressing dissent, challenging authority, and galvanizing social movements. They transcend cultural, linguistic, and geographic boundaries, making them uniquely effective in raising awareness and inspiring change. Their emotional and symbolic power allows people to connect with complex social, political, and economic issues on a deeper level, often when words alone are insufficient. Why Art and Music Are Powerful Forms of Protest: 1. Emotional Impact and Resonance: Art and music have the ability to evoke strong emotions, creating a visceral response that facts or arguments alone may not achieve. Songs, paintings, and performances can convey the pain, anger, hope, and determination of those fighting for change, making them relatable and emotionally engaging. 2. Universal Accessibility: Music and visual art can communicate across language barriers, allowing protests and movements to reach global audiences. They speak in symbols, images, and sounds that can be understood and felt by people of different cultures and backgrounds, often spreading a message far beyond its origin. 3. Cultural Identity and Unity: Music and art often become part of the cultural identity of social movements. They provide a sense of unity, bringing people together with shared symbols, anthems, or imagery. For example, South African protest songs during apartheid or civil rights anthems like “We Shall Overcome” became rallying cries for collective resistance. 4. Challenging Authority and Exposing Injustice: Protest art and music are often subversive, challenging authority in ways that are difficult to suppress. They can critique oppressive systems, highlight corruption, and mock power, creating a space where resistance thrives. 5. Lasting Legacy: Unlike speeches or marches, which are often temporary, music and art create enduring records of dissent. They are preserved in history, continuing to inspire future generations long after the original protests have ended. The works of Gil Scott-Heron, Sam Cooke, and Bob Marley, among others, continue to inspire activism today, decades after their original release. Conclusion: Art and music have the extraordinary ability to distill complex political and social issues into emotionally resonant forms that reach wide audiences. As forms of protest, they inspire, unify, and motivate action, becoming symbols of resistance that persist through time. By tapping into the universal language of creativity and emotion, art and music make protest more accessible and impactful, helping to shape public discourse and bring about social change. We need more art and music to bring us together now.

https://lnkd.in/eN734MTM As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to pause and reflect on the remarkable strides we have made in 2023. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each member and our invaluable corporate partners. Your unwavering commitment has been the driving force behind the success of Black-owned businesses across the nation, fostering growth, innovation, and a stronger economic landscape. Yet, our work is far from over. As we stand at the precipice of a pivotal year in American history, it is crucial to address the current challenges to the principles of equality and diversity we hold dear. Recent events remind us of the fragility of the rights that combat discrimination, rights that are now under threat. It is our duty, both individually and as a community, to protect and promote the values of equity and inclusion. Looking ahead to 2024, we see that the fight for affirmative action and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is ongoing. The symptoms of discrimination and inequality that have persisted for centuries are still present in our society. We must come together, bridging the private and public sectors, major corporations, and minority-owned businesses, to defend and strengthen these initiatives. Remember, "The only way to have a Great America is to have a great Black America, and the only way to have a great Black America is to have strong Black businesses." The strength of our nation is inherently linked to the strength of our diverse communities and businesses. To fortify our Black businesses, we must collectively work to break down barriers that hinder progress. In 2024, USBC is committed to advocating for affirmative action programs and advancing DEI initiatives. We will engage in collaborative efforts with businesses, public institutions, and grassroots organizations to ensure that our progress is not undone. We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast trust and support. As the Global Voice of Black Business, our mission remains to economically empower and sustain African-American communities through entrepreneurship and business development. Excitingly, the upcoming year will see the launch of the USBC Media Network, encompassing The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) which is now a division of USBC, USBC Radio Network, and USBC Digital Media. This empowers us to amplify our stories, advocate for our issues, and optimize the Black media ecosystem. Members can also look forward to an engaging USBC National Conference as we celebrate our 15th year anniversary, along with informative events for networking and learning. Remember to renew memberships, get certified with ByBlack, follow us on social media, and engage with your local Black Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, take advantage of the resources offered by the USBC Community Economic Development Corporation to jump-start your business success.

Juneteenth is a family-friendly community event commemorating the freeing of the last enslaved African Americans on June 19, 1865. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed January 1, 1863, enslavement had continued in Texas as the state had no significant presence of Union troops to enforce the new law of the land. That finally ended on June 19, 1865, when Major General George Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, and issued an order ensuring the 250,000 remaining enslaved African Americans would be freed. Thereafter, June 19 - or "Juneteenth" as it came to be called - became the special Independence Day celebrated by African Americans, especially those in the Southwest. Originally centered in family gatherings with special food, storytelling, sports, and games, Juneteenth festivities have evolved into more elaborate community festivals featuring parades, exhibits, and music celebrating African American heritage and emancipation. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday. Check out these Juneteenth celebrations happening around Wisconsin in this Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin article

I am deeply saddened by this ~ This is an excellent brief on what has transpired:

Let the spirit of CarmelFest stay with you all year, honoring the intent behind our independence. Read this week's Civility Column in The Current here: https://bit.ly/4bI6j3i

Juneteenth is next week, what are you doing to celebrate it with your company? Here are some great places to start: 1. Make sure you're informed on the history and importance of the day. Check out this article from the NMAAHC: https://buff.ly/3l5jJhH 2. Plan to make sure your teams know the significance of the day with a message or email from the company 3. Consider hosting a Juneteenth lunch and learn 4. Give your teams the day off! There are so many other ideas and ways to celebrate! Let us know how you plan to make it a special day in the comments 👇

#DearAmericanOrchestras: This is a call to action. We will no longer be silent about the denial of tenure for Black orchestral musicians.   Despite your stated desire for greater inclusion and dignity, significant barriers to inclusion, inequities in treatment, and lack of transparency in the tenure process persist, leaving too many tale-nted, well-deserving, highly-trained Black musicians devalued, excluded and jobless. Our call for justice and equal treatment is urgent. ✊🏾 We call on American orchestras to give Black orchestral musicians the tenure they deserve; to commit to transparent and objective tenure processes and to adopt equitable tenure practices in your collective bargaining agreements. ✊🏾 We call on Unions to honor their commitment to fair workplaces and stand with Black members. 👉🏾 We call on YOU to raise your voice! MONDAY, JANUARY 29 - JOIN US IN SOLIDARITY.  POST.  SIGN. DONATE. There is no American orchestra without Black orchestral musicians. Read our call to action at blackorchestralnetwork.org #calltoaction #solidarity #equity #DearAmericanOrchestras #tenure

🎨Art Work is Real Work! 🌟 Thank you to Tara Lynn Gray, Director of Office of the Small Business Advocate, for reporting on last month’s California Economic Summit panel with State Senator Anthony Portantino (25th District), Julie Baker, CEO of Californians for the Arts, Kristen Dolan, executive director of the California Desert Arts Council and Yaya Ortiz, co-founder of Culturas Music and Arts. During this high-profile annual event, it was the first time that the Creative Economy was discussed on the plenary stage. It's noteworthy because the creative economy plays an impactful role in our State’s annual economic output, but is rarely addressed in these conversations. As arts advocates, our strategy has been to change that perception and frame the arts as integral to cross-sector solutions, especially in health, education, workforce, and the economy. Rather than confine its activity to a specific department, we champion the broad embrace of arts and culture across social and economic sectors. There is still much real work to be done on behalf of artists as workers - support our movement by joining or donating to CFTA or CAA at bit.ly/join-the-mvmt! Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gayQnAqp #ArtsAdvocacy #Arts #SupportTheArts #artseconomy #economicsummit

I just love the mission of this sponsoring organization, A Tribe for Jazz. They are doing some deeply interdisciplinary work telling the story of jazz as a public good. This panel discussion--Hear Me Out: Democracy, Jazz, and Education-- brought together leaders in jazz advocacy and left me reflecting on what it means to "be the change" first as a human, second as a artist/academic/teacher/advocate.