Historical & Cultural Arts Collaborative

WE LIT: Fire Teen Advisory Council

assisted in strategic planning, designed &

hosted a youth-run open mic, two lock-ins,

partnered with the Board to host a

successful & meaningful End of Year

fundraiser, and decided priorities for the

2016-2017 afterschool year.

“Fire is for those voices that need to be HEARD.”

FremiyahFire Teen Advisory Council Member

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS

2016 ANNUAL REPORT

BOARD OF DIRECTORSMaime ButlerMia HenrySonita NewberryEmily AdamsMaime ButlerErika LeeSojn BoothroydJames VarnesdeelAmy Vliek

Jessica & Jill Hermann-WilmarthJimmy WeltyJoAnn Kennedy SlaterJoshua GarmanKacey CookKat BishopKathy JenningsKennedy FamilyKevin DoddKrista KatrovasLaura SpragueLauren HesneyLex FateLillie WolfMaggie & Nancy AdamsMarsha MeyerMary AndersonMelinda Beeder & Patrick MercouxMelissa BullardMia HenryMike HanleyMorgan Kiah OverstreetMorgan MahdaviCarita Jon Ri'chardNathifa DavisNina SmithPam PoleyRichard & Lynn PattonSalina JohnsonSharyl WeberSonita Newbury SchauSt. Luke's Episcopal ChurchStephanie EvergreenTeresa DentonAnonymous Donors

In memory of Jim Croteau

Supporting Institutions:Irving S. Gilmore FoundationMichigan Humanities Council

Youth United Way

@kzoofire

Allison Kelaher YoungAmelia StefanacAn-Ho FamilyAnthony OliverBailey MartinBailey WagnerClaire BishopDanna EphlandDenise MillerDiane Johnson & Alfred ProsserDuane NewellElizabeth KerlikowskeErika SmithGail GriffinGeorge & Gail MartinJacob CrowellJacquis RobertsonJena SugayJen & Kat Hsu-Bishop

We visited 250 youth in high school English classes at Loy Norrix & Kalamazoo Central. Over 30 youth came to Fire this year for our creative workshops. 14 youth participated in Lock-Ins.

Finances

Hey Firefliwa,

2016 was a key year for transition at Fire. I was hired in April to continue the strong history of authenticity, creative expression and social justice in the Edison Neighborhood. It’s been an exciting and critical year of planning, experimenting, reflecting and growing our organization to be youth-driven, structurally strong, and creating a space where art and justice truly belong to all of us. I feel honored to be here and work with our dedicated youth, neighbors, community partners, funders, parents and more. I can’t wait to keep growing each year.

In gratitude,Allison

Letter from the Executive Director

2016 FINANCES

INCOME

EXPENSES

2016 HIGHLIGHTS

● Revamped website, increased email & social media outreach by over 175%.

● Began a Strategic Planning process with our youth, board, staff & community.

● Welcomed 4 new people on our Board!● Created new financial policies and

procedures for the longterm health of the organization.

Bridge Art & Justice

Hosted 13 Open Mics that supported 12

featured artists, introduced 10 new hosts

and spotlit over 76 unique performers

throughout the year! Our attendance was

standing room only 60% of the time

● Created a Teen Advisory Council mission, contracts & individual leadership maps!● Visited over 250 youth through high school performances, and welcomed 21 youth on site in workshops and lockins!● Started an all-year drop-in weekly afterschool program that included voter outreach, poetry, music and more.● Participated in Kydnet Youth Leadership Retreat & 2 trainings for youth & staff.

Fire is a ten year old arts nonprofit in the Edison neighborhood. We envision a Kalamazoo where all people can express their authentic, vulnerable and creatives selves and be valued, regardless of their identities. Our priorities are building a youth-driven space for art and justice in the Edison neighborhood, with an emphasis on social and emotional learning, youth voice and the arts.

MISSION

Youth Driven Space for Art & Justice

Amber, Egypt, Fremiyah and Raesheana made up our 2016 Teen Advisory Council Executive Board.

A packed night from our June Open Mic. Half of our featured artists this year were trans* & gender non-conforming people of color.

Organizational & Financial Stability