THE ARTISTIC BIO OF JEFFREY “BIG HOMEY” BANKSJeffrey Banks, poetically known as "Big Homey", started performing inspirational spoken word in August 2003. He cultivated his talents in his teenage years as a songwriter, musician & public speaker. Throughout college & his professional career, he developed stage presence through performing in pageants & producing quality events. He's has had the privilege of working with notable artists such as What's Happening! star, the late Fred Rerun Berry; Stellar Award winner, Maurette Brown Clark; activist, writer and reality-show pioneer Kevin Powell & GRAMMY-nominated recording artists, Cross Movement. His spoken word started to capture national attention when people learned of a life-changing transformation in 2004. His story has been featured in the January 2005 ESSENCE Magazine, the April 22, 2005 CBS Early Show & the August 2006 BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine. He's performed on radio and he consistently shares his poetry at church engagements, nightclubs & coffeehouses.

His message of encouragement has opened unique ministerial opportunities for him. He's been a contributor to the Bobby Jones' Urban Impact Summit. He's been an advocate for the homeless since 2003. He's been featured on national convention and expo stages. He has had the chance to share the stage &/or do events in conjunction with renowned worship leader, Ron Kenoly; former Floetry member, Natalie "Floacist" Stewart; Mr. Cheeks, (from the hip-hop group, The Lost Boyz); 2000 Olympic Gold Medal Winner and retired NBA Star, Allan Houston; 90's Rhythm & Blues Singer and "New Jack City" Star, Christopher Williams; along with famous author & physician, Dr. Ben Carson. Big Homey's album, "Exposed-The EP", is the poetic testimonial of the trials & victories of a Christian Believer.

He's had the opportunity to perform poetically in 14 states outside of Washington DC: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama

He's performed poetry for the following colleges and universities:Long Island University, Johnson & Wales University, Temple University. Lincoln University, Gettysburg College, Slippery Rock University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg University, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Bowie State University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, University of Maryland-College Park, Howard University, Southeastern University, American University, George Washington University, Old Dominion University, Elizabeth City State University, University of Florida, St. John's University, University of the District of Columbia andPrince George's Community College

He also has done advocacy on college campuses throughout the mid-Atlantic region for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated's Social Action Program, Sleepout for the Homeless (once at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Hampton University & Shippensburg University, twice at Morgan State University & Temple University, and three times at Old Dominion University & George Washington University). He's also organized &/or performed at Greek Poetry Showcases in Washington DC (2009, 2010), Philadelphia PA (2009, 2011, 2012), New York NY (2012) & Baltimore MD (2011).

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/BigHomeyPoetry/Notes

Facebook Fan Page:http://www.facebook.com/BigHomeyEnterprises

LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/in/BigHomey

Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/BigHomey

Phone:202-538-4464

E-mail:BigHomeyPoetry@gmail.com

Soundbytes:http://www.myspace.com/BigHomeyPoetry

Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en&client=mv-google&v=-r7XaX6PdX8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en&client=mv-google&v=Dv97OT3nBUo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en&client=mv-google&v=2dbXh4D56X4

JEFFREY E. BANKSP. O. Box 90893 Washington, DC 20090 (202) 538-4464 JeffreyEBanks@gmail.com EDUCATION

HOWARD UNIVERSITY, Washington, DCSchool of DivinityMaster of Divinity Degree, May 2009 THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, Washington, DCSchool of Business and Professional ManagementMaster of Tourism Administration Degree, January 2001Concentration: Event Management/Individualized Studies SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, Syracuse, NYCollege of Visual and Performing ArtsBachelor of Science Degree in Speech Communication, May 1996Minors in African-American Studies and Professional Skills

 WORK HISTORY

NONPUBLIC EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INC, Woodbridge , VA (2007-2010)Administered programming to develop the remedial math and reading skills of the Title I students at Holy Redeemer Catholic School. Tutored 9th and 10th grade Archbishop Carroll High School students in reading skills. Served as the reading specialist for Kindergarten-6th Grade at Bridges Academy.  Taught life skills to 1-10th graders so the Title I elementary and secondary students could pass their reading and math coursework and be on grade level.  Interacted with parents so they could better assist their children in learning basic skills.

 WELLNESS INC.,   Washington, DC (2008-2009)Instructed inner city high school students in business and technology.  Served as the work supervisor for Mayor Adrian Fenty's youth summer work program at McKinley Technology High School. Taught employment skills and implemented academic curriculum in career modules on laptop computers.  Tutored 2nd graders at Stanton Elementary School in Southeast Washington, DC.

  PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PARK & PLANNING, Riverdale, MD (2007-2008)Served as the Project Coordinator for the Xtreme Teen Program at the Upper Marlboro Community Center.  Prepared college outreaches and weekend programming for the teens.  Received a customer service certification and learned specialized financial computer programs for the recreation centers.  Help facilitate area director meetings.  Oversaw the operations of the Berkshire Elementary School Summer Playground for 6-12 year olds.  Served as the administrative liaison for the facility, parents, and Park and Planning.

 HOWARD UNIVERSITY, Washington, DC (2006-2007)Served as the graduate supervisor of the Blackburn Center Recreation Room.  Booked student groups and operated the university bowling alley.  Organized events and fund raisers on campus.  Prepared university documents for the Department of Recreation.  Served as special event security and worked as on-call staff for the Blackburn Student Center.

PRINCE GEORGE 'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Upper Marlboro, MD (1996-2000)Instructed mathematics at William Wirt Middle School and Avalon Elementary School.  Taught college prep curriculum at Surrattsville High School and Oxon Hill High School. Worked with school administration at Cold Spring Elementary School, Carole Highlands Elementary School and Suitland High School. Provided support for instructors, school departments and administration.

 PROGRAMMING/LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE2012 Worked as a Summer Tutor for Excel Learning at Reid Temple AME Church2011 Served as the Middle School Literature Teacher at Bridges Academy2010 Lead monthly community breakfast events focused on the homeless population2008-2010 Church Administrator for True Praise Deliverance Ministries Inc.2009-2010 Wrote proposals for grants, venture capital, angel investing and contract bids2004-2008            Assistant director and event planner for campus-based homeless outreach2004-2006            Assisted business in the NBC 4 Health and Fitness Expo2004, 2005           Facilitated U. S. Senate Health Expo Exhibit2004, 2005           Facilitated U. S. House of Representatives Health Expo Exhibit2001-2007            Wrote promotional strategies and created campaigns for small businesses2001-2005            Principal of the event planning business, Genuine Praise Productions2000-2008            Served as an independent contractor for academic tutorial services2000-2002            Marketing Assistant for S. O. L. D. I. E. R. S. Ministries1999-2002            Organized Annual Event, The Tribute to the African-American Woman1999-2001            Promotions Director for Youth Nightclub, Club JC's1998-1999            Social Action Director of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.1997-2000            Co-chair of the Metropolitan Area’s Annual Blue & White Cookout1997-1999            Business Manager for publication, What's The Word!1997-1998            Bigger & Better Business Director of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.1995-1996            Resident Advisor for Syracuse University's South Campus Apartments1995-1996            University Senate Representative1994                      Peer Advisor for Summer Institute/Center for Academic Achievement1993-1994            Parliamentarian of the Student Government Association

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING/ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS2010 Licensed Minister at True Praise Deliverance Ministries Inc.2010 United States Water Fitness Association Instructor Certification2010 American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certification2008 Grantwriting Training at the Howard University Research Building2007-2008 Venture Capital Training with Virginia’s MBE Capital Call2004 Member of the American Marketing Association2003-2004 Participated in LDP for Minority Managers at Johns Hopkins2002 Served as Delegate for the Ph. D. Project Management Conference2000 Proposal Writing Training at The George Washington University1996 Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.1995 Member of Pi Sigma Epsilon Co-ed Marketing Fraternity, Inc. HONORS/AWARDS/MEDIA2013 “Top 40 Under 40” Honoree for Rejuvenate Marketplace’s Annual Convention2013, 2012 “Best Spoken Word Artist” Nominee for the DMV Christian Music Awards2012 Received “Outstanding Service in the Arts” Award from Howard University2011 http://issuu.com/streetsenseeditor/docs/streetsense_forweb_4.27.11/9 (Street Sense)2010 http://ww2.odu.edu/ao/ia/insideodu/20101118/topstory3.html (ODU Keynote Address)2010 DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities $2,500 Match Grant2009                       Howard University School of Divinity Scholarship2009                       Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference Stipend Award Recipient2009, 2007             Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Scholarship2007                       Black Web Award Nominee, www.myspace.com/BigHomeyPoetry2006                       Appeared in the August 2006 Issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine2005                       Appeared in the January 2005 Issue of ESSENCE Magazine2002                       Morgan State University Doctoral Fellowship1999                       Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.'s President's Award for exemplary service1997                       Howard University Trustee Scholarship 1996                       Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges1995                       Syracuse University Scholarship1995                       Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Scholarship1994                       Student Government Association's Award for Action for exemplary serviceENDORSEMENT LETTERS/MEDIA CLIPS

Libby Hoppe(lhoppe@collinsonmedia.com)June 11, 2013 at 5:06 pm

Good afternoon! 

I wanted to a send a personal note to you all today congratulating you on your selection as one of this year's 40 Under 40 for Rejuvenate magazine. The other editors and I received a number of fantastic nominations, and we're honored that you all have agreed to be part of this year's class. This is my favorite feature we do all year, mostly because I'm so inspired by your stories, so thank you for all you do. 

At this point, you all should have been contacted by me, another editor or one of our contributing writers about interviewing you for your magazine profile. Your profile, along with the profiles of your 39 fellow honorees, will appear in the August/September issue of Rejuvenate. Once the issue is released, we will follow up with materials to promote your honor and more information about obtaining copies, etc. Also, we have a Publisher's Reception every year at Rejuvenate Marketplace where we recognize the year's 40 Under 40. Some of you are familiar with our magazine and annual conference; others of you might not be. If you're not familiar with us, please let me know and I'd be happy to answer your questions. I hope you all have a chance to attend Rejuvenate Marketplace in some capacity, and if you're there, I'll make my best effort to meet each of you. 

In the meantime, if you have any questions about the 40 Under 40 story, the selection process, or Collinson Media and Rejuvenate magazine, please don't hesitate to ask. After the issue comes out, I hope to continue to connect with you. I often reach out to 40 Under 40 honorees throughout the year for contributions to our magazines. We'd love to hear from you on social media, as well. Follow Rejuvenate on Facebook and Twitter, and I'd love for you to connect with me personally on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

Again, congratulations! I hope to meet you all soon. 

Libby H.

Libby Hoppe | Managing Editor, Print and Digital collinsonmedia                  & events15 Technology Pkwy South, Suite 250Norcross, Georgia 30092p | 678-987-9975

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EvaluationPlease complete and submit the festival evaluation form.

1. Did the production meet my expectations:Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

2. Were a variety of community engagement materials available:Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

3. Did the dialogue/production meet my needs:Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

4. Were the actors knowledge and in the moment:Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

5. Was the facility was adequate for this event:Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

6. I would recommend this production for a friend/colleague:Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

7. I plan to attend this production in the future:Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

Additional Comments/Recommendations(continue on back):

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Project Name*Name of ProjectKings of Kulture and Kush

Project Description*

Description of ProjectThe meaning of the production, Kings of Kulture & Kush comes out of the unknown historical origins of Africa. "Kush" (Africa) was named many names by the people who live on the continent. The "Kings" position reflects the cultural duties, beliefs and responsibility of man's character. Also, it's a display of how he was raised to serve his family and nations of people.  Over the years, the people of Africa display many unknown cultural influences that they originally had on other cultures.

The purpose of the production is to bridge the gap between generations of Black men. This artistic performance will empower men to build community through a continuing dialogue. The goal is to dispel myths, stigmas, learned behavior and stereotypes through the artistic interpretation of the cast. This will help black men to become aware of their choices and different circumstances.  We want the audience to become diligent in their daily endeavors so they pursue their independent goals in a positive manner.Kings of Kulture & Kush is a multifaceted performance piece illustrating different perceptions on the African-American Male Experience in the United States. It incorporates the art forms of music, video, photo imagery, dance and spoken word. There's something for everyone to enjoy, learn and remember.

Amount Requested*

Amount Requested$5,000.00

Demographic*

Target PopulationAfrican-American Population

Humanities Discipline*

Which primary discipline will your project explore? You may list secondary disciplines in the narrative of the application.Anthropology

Organization Location*

Please indicate where the sponsoring organization is based.MD

Ward(s) Served*

Please indicate where events for the project will be held. You may indicate up to four different wards.

Events Will Take Place in All Wards of the CityWard(s) Served 2Web-BasedWard(s) Served 32Ward(s) Served 48

Organizational Information

Annual Budget*Please enter your organization's budget for the previous fiscal year.XXXXXXX

DUNS Number*Please enter the organization's DUNS number for reporting purposes.XXXXXXX

Past Humanities Council Funded Projects: Include Grant NumbersN/A

Project InformationProject Summary*Please provide a brief general description of the project. Do not exceed 250 words. You will have the opportunity to include more details elsewhere in the application.

The Diversity Theatre Company debuted Kings of Kulture & Kush February 28-March 1 at the Adinkra Cultural Arts Studio in Mt. Rainier, MD. Through those performances and relationship-building, we have an invitation to perform in the DC Black Theatre Festival June 20-29. The actors in this ensemble have affiliations with Howard University, Bowie State University, Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and other organizations that uplift that Black community, particularly the young African-American men in the Greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. We had many of our rehearsals in the basement of the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, where we would love to perform for the youth in our city and have a summit!

Since the location of our performance for the DC Black Theatre Festival is uncertain (six of the stages are in DC, but two stages are in Maryland and one stage in in Virginia), obtaining the Martin Luther King Jr. Library Auditorium is free and we can have a sizable crowd doing a performance in the basement. Our Saturday evening performance attracted several groups of kids to our show.  This is something that can be promoted through DC Public Schools and the Charter School System (the President of the Diversity Theatre Company works within the DC Charter School System). All of the network affiliations within the acting ensemble can reach out to the mentoring groups to have them attend a Saturday afternoon or weekday evening performance. We would be looking to do two separate, seasonal shows with community discussions by April 30, 2015.

Total Project Budget*

Please enter the total project cost. (Funds requested from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC in addition to cash on hand and in-kind contributions from other sources.)$10,000

Humanities Council Funds Requested*

Please enter the amount requested from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC. This figure must match the amount given in the application budget sheet.$5,000

Matching Funds*

Sponsoring organizations are required to provide support for their projects. These matching funds/contributions must be of equal or greater value to the amount requested from the Council. Please enter the amount of proposed matching funds including sponsoring organization cash, third-party cash, third-party in-kind, and program income.$5,000

Humanities Scholar Salutation*

Mr. 

Humanities Scholar Name*Jeffrey Banks

Professional AffliationPerformer/Event Producer

Mailing Address*P. O. Box 90893Washington, DC 20090

Email*JeffreyEBanks@gmail.com

Phone*301-338-3453

Resume*See Attached

Bookkeeper Salutation*Mr.

Bookkeeper Name*

Bookkeeper cannot be the same individual listed as Sponsoring Organization Fiscal Sponsor, Project Director or Humanities Scholar.Kofi Osei Owusu

Mailing Address*2851 Denver Street SEWashington, DC 20020

Email*kooowusu@gmail.com

Phone Number *2406049655

Program NarrativeOrganization Profile*If your project is using a fiscal sponsor, define any other role the organization will facilitate. If applying as the sponsoring organization, please describe the history of your organization (year founded and by whom), and how this project will support its overall mission and goals.

DIVERSITY THEATRE COMPANYEmpowerment Through Theatre Arts

MISSION:Our mission is to create work. That captures the complexity of community life. We strive to bridge the gap between class, gender, age, and culture to move beyond tolerance into enlightenment through empowered theatre art.

Purpose:The purpose of the organization is to create a platform for artist community of non-artist and artist.

Where they can be empowered through theatre arts. By addressing social and global concerns of life.Values:Our values are the foundation piece of our organization and how continue to strive to growth within our mission statement.

Integrity- As a theatre arts organization we believe that our integrity as thriving creative artists equips us with the responsibilities to help enlighten those who seek empowerment.Empathy- Through Empathy it allows us to reflect and connect to others authentically with different cultural beliefs, perceptions, and conviction to gain the deeper understanding of ourselves.Resilience- Our resilience provides us choices to create and facilitate change in others lives when face with adversity or isms that are anti-community oriented.Creativity- We embody creativity which helps us to internally embrace our differences. This also helps us to lives meaningful lives filled with the purpose to empower others.Community- Community keeps us together to maintain harmony, balance, and unity with all class, ages, gender, and cultures.

Key Personnel*Tell us about the key individuals who will work on the project and the roles they will play. The Kings of Kulture & Kush Playbill is attached to this application. It has all of the essential people listed to make things happen.  You can also look on www.diversitytheatre.org.

Program Description*Provide a detailed description of specific activities and projects that participants will get to do in your program. In performing the Diversity Theatre Company Production of Kings of Kulture & Kush, the Playbill outlines the different performances done by a predominately Black Male cast. The actor/director, Kofi Owusu, opens up with a monologue to challenge the audience to think about their "perceptions". The cast introduces themselves after Chris Kinnard sings a rendition of Jay-Z/Justin Timberlake's Holy Grail, the cast "ooo"s and snaps while the actors speak a poem or a monologue introducing themselves. The transition is the phrase, "I don't know why..."

The segues in the play are music played and video excerpts as transitions. There are some musical throwbacks such as "Freedom" from the "Panther" movie in the 1990's along with Summer Madness by Kool & the Gang played over "Baby Boy" movie clips to show case how Black men perceive themselves, their women and where they live. One of the actors used a poem by Lamar Hill as monologue to display the "advice" uncles give.  There was also a song sung by Goodie Mob called "Free" that was a transitional ensemble piece. The spoken word artists performed their poetry as monologues. One trained actor found monologues and wrote some monologues.  Some of the ensemble also learned African dance.

The discussion after the production can engulf the artistic history of the performers, but when the audience is filled with more youth, the cast and moderators can ask the audience thought-provoking questions about what they just saw.  The young men talk about how they are perceived in Washington, DC and older generations share their stories.  There often is a disconnect because many of the young men don't get the chance to see many older Black men who aren't incarcerated (or, at least, that is the myth). Black women are hurt by Black men and the communication rarely gets to take place in our urban and suburban communities for a multitude of reasons.  The attendees have the chance to see positive Black images, yet portrayals of perceptions the African Diaspora in America regularly accepts, thus they believe an inferior image of themselves.

The hope is for the audience to be completely interactive in our process.  the attached pictures in the appendix will show you a portion of the magic that happens.  This is ideal programming to take place in Washington, DC. The cast initially met at Howard University at a WHUT-TV Public Television taping.  Our ensemble of actors are entertainers and educators. This will stimulate the thought process of the DC Public School and DC Charter School Secondary Students.  The opportunity to perform this before summer break will create multiple opportunities for the teenage constituency over the summer. the Diversity Theatre Company can connect students with different camps and writing circles. We have mentoring groups and we are looking forward to keeping the dialogue going. Our first two 2014 performances have already birth new opportunities, so we're excited about this funding prospect!

Final Product*The Major Grant requires each project to produce a tangible product. Please describe the final product that will be added to the DC Digital Museum.In the Appendix, you see samples of things that could be added to the DC Digital Museum. Although the Diversity Theatre Company constructed a comprehensive "Playbill", we can do a more detailed program for the DC Digital Museum. The Appendix has some beautiful photography from the first run of "Kings of Kulture & Kush". There can be some more intricate photographs over the course of the grant cycle for the Digital Museum. We would love for there to be some video clips of the production in the Digital Museum, particularly the "Kush" discussion of community building.  The dialogue after the production is unscripted and raw feelings/emotions about the acting/dancing/singing they just saw.  This leaves an awesome mark for our company, the Humanities council and all involved. This will make a lasting impact and help create something everyone involved can build on! 

Timeline*Provide a timeline for delivery of the program and an overview of the programming schedule. The grant cycle is between May 1, 2014 - April 30, 2015.

May 1-June 15, 2014:Find a weekend within this window to perform "Kings of Kulture & Kush".  If there is not a partnership with a DC Public School or DC Charter School Auditorium, the Martin Luther King Jr. Library will be available for a Saturday afternoon performance (the library closes at 5 PM). There is the prospect of a weekday evening performance at the library (the library is open Monday-Thursday until 9 PM), but there would be correspondence with schools and youth groups upon award notification so the Diversity Theatre Company can (ideally) have 3-4 weeks to promote the event.  This event will be a nice lead-in to our DC Black Theatre Festival Performance June 20-29.  There is also the possibility of performing at Howard University or the George Washington University. This late Spring performance will also open up prospectively working with these young people throughout the summer (and the grant cycle).

February 1-April 30, 2015:This funded second run will allow us to plan a run either in Black History Month (in February), complementing Women's History Month (in March) or National Poetry Month (in April). It will allow the back-to-school, homecoming and holiday season fanfare to subside.  If the Diversity Theatre Company has a troupe of young people to work with, we can incorporate them into this new run of the production.  Young people often bring revenue to projects, and this is part of the community-building in the humanities that will happen through the movement of this play.  The venue can still be Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Howard University, The George Washington University or any of the secondary schools in the District of Columbia.  The volunteer time, expenditures, cultivating our current staff and stimulating our young teenage constituents will deliver a multi-fold return on investment to the urban communities in the District of Columbia!

You may upload a visual representation of your timeline and program delivery schedule.N/A

The following information is used in reports to federal and local agencies. If your program will not serve a population listed, please list 0.

Audience Participation*Provide an estimate of the total number of participants you expect to serve with this project (do not include youth).200Provide an estimate of the number of youth participants you expect to serve with this project.500Provide an estimate of the number of artists/scholars you expect to serve with this project.100Provide an estimate of the number of Schools you expect to serve with this project.30Please list the number of showcases, presentations, documentaries or cultural opportunities offered via funded activity.4

Humanities Scholar*Describe how your humanities scholar will help shape the project.Jeffrey Banks was selected as the Humanities Scholar because he is well-versed with the Humanities Council.  Besides being a seasoned performer, he has a lengthy background in event planning and has a pulse on grants management. He made the Diversity Theatre Company aware of this funding opportunity and he was active with the cast of the Kings of Kulture & Kush.  He is apprised of the "do"s and "don't"s with this project, yet saw how we can connect what we are already doing with the people of Washington, DC.  He knows media outlets such as Black radio stations (89.3 WPFW-FM, WPGC 95.5 FM, 93.9 WKYS-FM, "Majic 102.3" WMMJ-FM, 1340 WYCB-AM, 1450 WOL-AM, 96.3 WHUR-FM, "Praise 104.1" WPRS-FM); all of the news outlets for the local affiliates of NBC, FOX, ABC and CBS along with cable stations in the DC area; the print and internet news sources; he can write press releases and public service announcements; he also has an impressive social media following.  The networks of people he's tied into will help to take this grant-funded project to where it needs to be!

The prototype (Kings of Kulture & Kush) already has shape and form. Jeffrey Banks has worked in education and the two production directors (Donnie Joyner Jr. and Kofi Owusu) both work in education in Washington, DC.  The Diversity Theatre Company has an existing relationship with the Martin Luther King Jr. Library and the entire "Kings of Kulture and Kush" cast has rehearsed in the basement auditorium of the library. Jeffrey Banks also has a relationship with Howard University and the George Washington University to where he can get free venue space at either facility.  He also has a good rapport with many Black churches within Washington, DC.  The branding of the production will also help in getting out the word about the Humanities Council to the residents of Washington, DC. All of the strategic relationships combined with this grant funding will allow for us to make a great impact in the community!

Program Collaboration*List any other organizational partners along with the role they will play in the promotion, development or funding of the project.The Diversity Theatre Company has partnered with Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., The Empowerment Center, Adinkra Cultural Art Studios and the Martin Luther King Jr. Library for the first run of the Kings of Kulture & Kush production.  There has been a partnership formed with the DC Black Theatre Festival for the June 20-29 run and there has been an offer to do this show for an alternative school in Laurel, MD Spring 2014.  There has been a relationship formed with Bowie State University where some of the Spring 2014 speaker series correlated with the "Kings of Kulture & Kush" promotion and mission.  This has also been done when there has been grassroots promotions at open mic events in the greater Washington, DC Metropolitan Area for any upcoming shows. Host of coffeshop events, Busboys & Poets, church programs, and weekly poetry programs allowed "sneak peak" performances, guerrilla marketing and some people may contribute to the Diversity Theatre Company cause.  Thus far, there has not been a significant funders to this programming outside of minor ticket sales, ad sales and sponsorships.  Although there has been sustainability for this endeavor because the cast participated primarily on a volunteer basis (including providing their own costuming), any grant funding would go towards the expansion of this movement so we can make a more significant impact to the young people in Washington, DC.

Marketing Strategy*Describe how you will develop your audience and/or market the product produced.There would be strategic marketing to the 21 high schools and the 34 middle schools in the DC Public School system.  There would also be target marketing to the 22 high schools and 37 middle school in the DC Charter School system.  This approach can definitely generate more of a demand and more shows for the Diversity Theatre Company, but I know funding constraints will limit the amount of programming we can do in the city unless some of the schools host us at their facility. Each actor in the Kings of Kulture & Kush ensemble has a following in the DC area. Part of the grassroots promotional strategy is to perform at open mic events with "sneak peak" teasers about one month before the production date.  Even if the audience who witnesses the "sneak peak" doesn't come to the Kings of Kulture & Kush performance the ensemble is promoting, the viral marketing of pictures, videos and statuses on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the rest of Social Media is a branding mechanism for the upcoming

performance.

The DC Black Theatre Festival will be another marketing tool for this funding opportunity.  If we are able to do a show pre-Festival in May 2014, it will be great publicity for our June Festival run and a nice end-of-the-year event for the DC students.  This can also lead into some profound summer projects for the youth to do.  There are artistic camps and the Diversity Theatre Company can plug interested students into groups who will help the young adults grow through the humanities.  The second run of the production will be decided after the DC Black Theatre Festival.  There may be a demand to do it before school starts in the Fall.  It could be good back-to-school programming before homecoming and holiday season get too busy. The other school of thought can be the first run is some time between May-September 2014 and the second run is between February-April 2015. Venue dates and promotion can be tricky, but we can pack out the facility and promote to all schools.

Evaluation Analysis*Describe the survey evaluations that will be used to evaluate performance.Attached is the evaluation the Diversity Theatre Company used last week at the debut performance of Kings of Kulture & Kush. Although we don't have the tabulations of the first survey results, some feedback included: Friday attendees bringing more people on Saturday, the intense discussion questions and feedback after the Friday and Saturday shows (they could post questions with post-it notes on a board during the intermission), social media feedback, the invite to do a show at an alternative school in Laurel MD during Spring 2014, the invite to perform at the DC Black Theatre Festival, people provoked at why Black people would use the acronym of "KKK" for a branding technique for a performance (some understood...some were still offended). With the last analysis, the Diversity Theatre Company wondered if the "KKK" acronym was going to hurt getting the message out we were trying to convey...it didn't.After analyzing Friday's performance, there was tweaking for the more-photographed Saturday performance.  The audience evaluated the ensemble. As a cast, there was an analysis a spacing, the venue, timing between scenes, wardrobe change and pacing the production.  For the DC Black Theatre Festival, the production has to be 90 minutes or less. In what we want to bring to the citizens of DC (production and discussion), it comes to approximately 3 hours. When you look at pictures of our engaged audience, you will see every moment is time well spent!

Example of planned evaluationSee Attached

Describe how the program’s design will help residents meet the Humanities Council’s mission *Describe how the program’s design will help residents meet the Humanities Council’s mission to "Transform Lives Through the Power of Humanities."The Diversity Theatre Company had the opportunity to see the Humanities Council's mission "Transform Lives Through the Power of Humanities" illuminate last weekend when the production of Kings of Kulture & Kush debuted in Mt. Rainier, MD. Young men were moved, women were touched, people who came the first night brought their families the second night, certain teachers brought students from their class and mentors brought young people from their youth group.  Our multi-generational and multi-talented cast has the ability to reach the spectrum of the Black community in Washington, DC.

Michael Hill is a grandfather and has acted in movies. He was on "Soul Train" in the '70s and can say he's acted with the likes of Goldie Hawn, Bern Nadette Stanis (Thelma from Good Times) and Glynn Turman (Col. Taylor from A Different World). Jeffrey Banks is a spoken word artist who has been in BLACK ENTERPRISE and ESSENCE Magazines. He's performed in 14 states outside of DC and on two dozen college campuses. Richard Addington is a new actor, but a skilled musician who can sing, play the saxophone an percussion. This Howard University graduate mentors young people, has impressive musician memberships and is expanding his performance repertoire by acting and dancing. Aaron Smith is the youngest of the cast and a senior at Bowie State University. This spoken word artist has raw talent and the "big fish" on campus is jumping out of his small pond so he can relate to the Black people of his high school experience in SE Washington, DC and his suburban life of Germantown, MD. The actor/director Kofi Owusu is a Howard University graduate who fielded over half of the talent for the production and pooled all of the experiences for the performers to write and/or research. The director/producer Donnie Joyner Jr. also has stage experience, but had the vision with Kofi to reach the

young Black men in DC. Both directors recruited talent with like minds to bring the production to fruition.

BudgetBudget Sheet*The Budget Form must be filled out and submitted as part of the application. Please download the budget template by clicking the following link - Budget Sheet. Fill in your detailed budget information, save it, and then attach the completed form here using the browser function. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST HAVE MATCHING FUNDS AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT THAT YOU REQUEST. Matching funds can be made up of cash and other contributions from the sponsoring organization, cash from third parties, in-kind contributions from third parties, or program income. Notes or supporting information about the budget may be added in the next section – “Budget Narrative.”See Attached

Budget Narrative*The budget narrative delineates how the funds listed in each category of the Project Budget Sheet will be directed.The Budget Narrative goes as follows:The $5,000 Humanities Council grant funds will be spent in 3 primary areas for the Diversity Theatre's Kings of Kulture & Kush Production. $1,000 will be spent on supplies.  A videographer was supposed to do the 2/28-3/1 event and was a no-show. We can secure people within our organization to develop quality filming for prospective future DVD's, marketing materials on YouTube and Vimeo, along with creating stronger crowdfunding content for websites such as Kickstarter, GoFundMe and IndieGoGo. Wardrobe for ethnic scenes such as African Dance, Tribal Make-Up and t-shirts to market our play (and the Humanities Council) can be done with the $1,000. It will strengthen the quality of our already solid production so it can reach and touch more people.The $1,000 for "publicity, promotion & printing" is a modest line item. The Diversity Theatre Company was able to do quite a bit in its debut run of Kings of Kulture & Kush with virtually no printed materials and all of the signage on the internet (the surveys were printed out as well as brochures about the company). Signage will be essential for entities that are not familiar with us. Although public service announcements and press releases can be sent out on a volunteer basis, many radio stations will match bought advertising time with public service announcements. Quality materials printed out may encourage parents to donate to our nonprofit. This is for the entire year; some promotional t-shirts may come from this line item if we partner with a specific DC school.$3,000 in "salary/wages" goes through a multitude of streams.  Although we could have donated performance space, we'll have to pay an African drummer.  To maximize effectiveness, audio/visual people cost a premium (especially if a larger venue is donated, it counteracts the "free" facility so sound and lights operate correctly). Sometimes security services have to be bought if an event is being held after hours at a school. The actors donate their time, but the Diversity Theatre Company likes to be able to give them a love offering after they perform   If this line item happens to (be fortunate enough to) stretch, we can do four performances instead of two (the set-up will be for two "runs", meaning it can be two separate weekends). The people who work with us put in hours of work, so there is no way we can come close to compensating in the range of $30/hour for a supporting actor and $50/hour for a principal/director with the modest stipend we give our diligent cast.

The Salary/In-Kind Services are as follows:$2,000 is the "Facilities Rental" for the numerous rehearsals at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, The Empowerment Center, the Tech Rehearsals at the performance spot, even other tech costs incurred by the directors (who bring their own screen, projector and sound equipment). This is a modest figure, but please know this is close to half of our "in-kind" expenses.$500 for "publicity, promotion & printing" is the donated public relations, radio advertising time, blogging, grassroots marketing at events in the Washington, DC area. This is way more than the 10 billable hours by the Humanities Scholar at $50/Hour. The cast has duplicated and replicated some of these efforts, so this is also a modest figure.$500 for "supplies" is the cast purchasing wardrobe items for the performances, grooming for the performances, chairs sometimes have to be rented for a studio space, props can cost money, every cast member chips in and volunteers, but sometimes the Diversity Theatre Company shows appreciation and feeds them if there's a late or long rehearsal. This line item is also an underestimation.$1,000 for "travel": people are taking public transportation and driving from all over DC and MD to get to rehearsal 3 days/week. People sometimes have to pay for parking. This is an accurate estimate for 8

people over 6 weeks.$1,000 for "wages": estimated donated cast members' time

Certification

Entering your information below indicates that the statements contained in this application are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief. Your entered name also certifies that the Sponsoring Organization is in compliance with the provision on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Age Discrimination Act of 1973; Labor Standards under Sections 5(i) and 7(g) of the National Foundation of the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965; and the regulations issued pursuant thereto by the National Endowment for the Humanities (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Chapter XI). The entered name also certifies the sponsoring organization is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in federal assistance programs in violation of the regulations implementing Executive Order 12549 "Debarment and Suspension."*Audit Requirements (OMB Circular A-133): OMB Circular, Audits of State, Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations, includes specific guidance for conducting financial and compliance audits. The threshold for requiring an A-133 audit is $500,000 in yearly expenditures of Federal Awards. This amount is the aggregate of funds from all Federal Sources. Funds received from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC, are derived from a Federal source. A copy of OMB Circular A-133 may be obtained from the NEH Website or by writing to the NEH Office of Grant Management.

Yes - This organization IS subject to an A-133 audit

No - This organization IS NOT not subject to an A-133 audit

Please Note: 

By entering data into the next three (3) fields calling for insertion of your Name, Title, and Date, you are:1. representing that you are an officer or other agent for the applicant Grantee duly authorized to

enter into legally binding agreements on behalf of the Grantee2. agreeing to submit this grant application in an electronic form on behalf of the Grantee which

shall be bound by its contents as an electronic transaction3. agreeing that your insertion of data into these following fields constitutes an electronic signature.

Authorized Signature*

Donnie Joyner, Jr.

Title*

Founder/President

Date*

March 7, 2014

Appendix

Appendix

You may include any supporting documents such as program participant resumes, participant letters of commitment, brochures, photos, and other pertinent information. You may key this information in, cut and paste it from another document or upload a document file into the space below using your browser. If you have more than 5 files to upload (i.e. several resumes), please combine several documents into one file and upload that file as one document.

See Attached

Project Budget Sheet

CategoryHCWDC

Funds Sponsoring

Cost Share  Total Project

Budget  Requested* Cash+ In-Kind Budget

Honoraria       $                                -   

Salary/wages $                3,000.00   $      1,000.00   

 $                            4,000.00 

Travel     $         1,000.00 

 $                            1,000.00 

Supplies  $                1,000.00   

 $             500.00 

 $                            1,500.00 

Publicity, promotion, printing

 $                1,000.00   

 $             500.00 

 $                            1,500.00 

Postage, telephone       $                                -   

Facilities rental     $         2,000.00 

 $                            2,000.00 

Evaluation       $                                -   

Total $ 5,000.00 $ 1,000.00

$ 4,000.00

$ 10,000.00

*Total requested must not exceed 50 percent of the total project budget.+Source of cash contributions: Organization’s own funds $_________ Other sources $_________List other sources: ______________________________________________________________