Week 3: NEA, or nah?

1–2 minutes

This week has been one of the most challenging yet. I found myself grappling with whether or not to continue the project.

The current administration’s threats to diversity in both the arts and education have cast a shadow over this endeavor. The National Endowment’s changes to its grant programs have whitewashed and neutralized project funding, making it harder for initiatives like mine to find support.

Adding to the difficulty, I received two rejection letters from grant applications. And, despite all my efforts, I didn’t meet my fundraising goal. These setbacks made me question everything—my vision, my commitment, and whether this fight is worth the struggle. For a moment, I wanted to quit.

But the true spirit of this project has always been about resilience, courage, and confronting adversity head-on. While I won’t spoil the surprise here, I invite you to watch my latest video to see what I’ve decided. I promise it’s worth a few minutes of your time.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support this journey. The challenges we face only highlight the importance of creating and sustaining projects that champion diversity and equity in the arts.

Stay tuned—and as always, let’s keep fighting the good fight together. 


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