2023 Arts + Business Council Awards Celebration

Art has the power to move, shake, and shape the world around us. It is at the intersection of many things, including business. When arts and business are paired together, we begin to see the transformation our region is striving towards in our neighborhoods and workplaces. Powerful partnerships can create more access and resources for diverse artists, showcase communities by sharing their unique stories, and give marginalized Philadelphians paid, hands-on career training. This is the power of the arts + business communities joined hand-in-hand.

Celebrate this incredible synergy with the Arts + Business Council at its 38th annual awards revering Philadelphia’s transformative and restorative creativity.

This year, the Arts + Business Council will honor projects that demonstrate an impactful collaboration between the arts and business sectors. Learn more about the works of this year’s awardees and businesses advancing the arts, appreciate live performances, and enjoy an evening filled with drinks, light fare, and mingling with the Arts + Business Council’s community, including creative and business leaders, advocates, and artists from throughout the region.

Dress code is business, creative or cultural attire.

2023 HONOREES

Black Music City
In collaboration with WXPN, WRTI, and REC Philly

Philadelphia Fellowship for Black Artists
In collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia and TD Bank

The Preservation Trades Center
In collaboration with Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc., Rebuild, PowerCorpPHL, Pullman Services, and International Masonry Institute

FEATURED ARTISTS

DJ NA$H, Black Music City Grantee
Rising out of West Philadelphia, Nashirah is a selector who knows no boundaries. Starting out at a small family-owned restaurant, Nashirah quickly worked her way up, securing resident spots as a resident DJ for some of the most prominent venues and bars in Philadelphia. Nashirah has founded popular events such as Beats and Babes and Interna$hional Bounce, building a reputation for playing up-tempo music ranging from staccato club music to sounds of the African Diaspora.

Fareed Simpson-Hankins, Black Music City Grantee
Fareed is an award-winning trumpet player, educator, composer, and producer. During his time at Temple University, he was the recipient of The Presser Award and performed with the university jazz band, which earned two GRAMMY nominations. He is the bandleader of the Fareed Simpson Quintet and co-leader of Brothers.Ink. He has also produced The Second Line Bebop Series, a short film series, and he was the director of the short film Saxophone City. Additionally, he is an educator serving on the adjunct faculty at Temple University.

Julia Pratt, Black Music City Grantee
Julia is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter based in Philadelphia. A songwriter at heart, Julia’s music blends pop, jazz, R&B, and folk with dashes of electronic production. Grounded in poignant lyricism inspired by songwriters such as Kevin Garrett, Amy Winehouse, and Hozier, Julia writes about family, love, betrayal, and grappling with the concept of “the self.” Fresh off a national tour opening for Australian ambient pop artist Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Julia is gearing up for a series of releases throughout the rest of 2023 while continuing to perform.

Kulu Mele African Dance + Drum Ensemble, 2023 Business on Board Host Organization + Artist Directory Member
Established in Philadelphia in 1969 by Baba Robert Crowder, Kulu Mele is the fruit of many people’s dreams, the nation’s longest-enduring African dance company. For 50+ years, Kulu Mele has embodied excellence in West African, Cuban, and African Diasporan traditions, including contemporary American Hip Hop. Kulu Mele performs works from their repertoire year-round, bringing culturally meaningful African dance, drum, and culture to communities, schools, programs, and festivals throughout Philadelphia and beyond. Staples from the repertoire are also reinterpreted; the company continues to grow and evolve.

Yinka Orafidiya, in collaboration with Ife Williams, Physical Awards
Yinka is a ceramic artist and founder of “Crafting Community,” which fosters social connection through shared artistic experiences. She completed a pottery intensive with master potters in Ghana and has participated in residencies at Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, the International Ceramics Studio, and Watershed. Yinka received a Multicultural Fellowship from the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts and awards from The Leeway Foundation. She is currently building the OYA Studio Museum, a host residency space that supports the work of Black ceramic artists across the African diaspora.

SINGLE TICKET OPTIONS
Business & Government Professional Ticket - Individuals whose primary occupation is with a company or government entity. - $125.00
Nonprofit Professional Ticket - Individuals who primary occupation is with a nonprofit organization. - $95.00
YPC Member Ticket - $95.00
Individual Artist Ticket - Artists who primarily work independently and their primary occupation is an artist. - $75.00

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES & PACKAGES
Co-Sponsor:
7 tickets for employees, clients, or nonprofit partners to attend
Half-page listing in Award Celebration program book (Deadline April 24)
Company logo will appear on the ‘Event Sponsors’ page in the Awards section of ABC website: www.artsbusinessphl.org
Logo recognition on event signage
Name recognition during event via ABC Twitter (7,800 followers)

Supporting Sponsor:
5 tickets for employees, clients, or nonprofit partners to attend
Half-page listing in Award Celebration program book (Deadline April 24)
Company logo will appear on the ‘Event Sponsors’ page in the Awards section of ABC website: www.artsandbusinessphila.org
Logo recognition on event signage
Name recognition during event via ABC Twitter (7,800 followers)