For ten years, Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project has nurtured the creativity and leadership of emerging filmmakers.

Many years ago, I took one of the first screenwriting workshops when QWOCMAP was housed in the Redstone Building. Though I have been trained as a poet, QWOCMAP made my voice stronger because I learned a new way to tell my story and the stories of the Black women in my southern family. Since then, I have watched the organization grow, and I have seen just how powerful our stories are. In all of our funny, insightful, painful, joyous, and ever-hopeful glory, films created through QWOCMAP offer our communities both cultural resistance and cultural renewal. Those of us in the audience at the Queer Women of Color Film Festival have seen first-hand that film has the power to transform the world by giving voice to the often unheard and the forcibly silenced.

Party like a QWOCstar! From today, October 10, 2009, until October 10, 2010, we will celebrate ten years of creating films, filmmakers and community with our special year-long fundraising campaign: 10/10 for 10. Our Goal 100 donors to donate $10 a month for a year and 100 donors to make a one-time donation of $100 Donor a Day For the next 364 days, we would love to have one donor sign up each day! So we’re offering a special gift for the first donor of each day, to be awarded at our 10th anniversary celebration on October 10, 2010. Here’s how you can party like a QWOCstar AND support Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project: Become a monthly sustainer right now. At $10 a month…it’s like lay-away for great films! Create a 10/10 circle: get 10 of your friends to donate $100 each or more, and multiply the power of your gift. Host a house party! Our team will help you plan your party that you won’t forget and we’ll even join in the fun. Contact me for a party guide at: events@qwocmap.org click here to donate now

And there are other ways to show your support throughout the year: Community ¢hange: Throughout the year, Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project will join with other LGBTQ people of color organizations for QWOCMAP karaoke, game nights and a QWOCMAP Cakewalk & Bakesale, where you can dance to compete for yummy sweet treats. Ten words for y'all: red velvet cake. 7-up cake. sweet potato pie. YES! 10 years of Art & Activism: 10/10 for 10 will culminate in a special performance of QWOCMAP filmmakers. This multi-talented group of over 200 artists have transformed themselves and our communities with their films. On the night of October 10, 2010 they will bring you songs, dance and poetry to nourish your heart and soul. Oh, and if we surpass our goal, special surprise guest artists have agreed to perform! All contributions will go to support our free Filmmaker Training Program, which has nurtured the creation of over 140 films since 2003.

We ask that you make a tax-deductible donation and join us in creating ten more years of art and social justice.
If you have recently given to Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, please let me thank you once again for your support.
We could not do this work for our community without you.


the best of everything,

Kebo Drew
Development Director
Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project