2024 Adding Voices Awardees

Adding Voices Conference Committee- Awards Commission 2024

There are great rewards when art educators from the global majority push against the status quo.  There can also be repercussions.  Adding Voices believes all conference presenters deserve accolades for their critical thinking, questioning, and actions taken on behalf of underrepresented communities. Reimagining educator awards laden with applications, recommendations, scoring committees, and, frankly, great potential for bias; our award winners were selected by spinning a digital wheel.  We are all worthy.

These awards are given in memory of L. Sidney Doman, a former School District of Philadelphia administrator and industrial arts educator. 

The Awardees were selected from the list of non-keynote and non-premiere speakers of the 2024 Adding Voices Conference. The award winners were paired with award titles determined by the Adding Voices Conference Committee based on their AVC presentation descriptions. Each awardee will receive a certificate of award and a check for $600.

Afromation Avenue

Co-founders: Brittni Jennings and Kristin Kelly. 

Observe & Reflect: Stay Engaged

$600

This team has demonstrated a willingness to notice patterns of beliefs, behaviors, and actions within art education that benefit some while devaluing others.  The program/team holds themselves and others accountable for reflecting on practices that could allow greater access to opportunities and resources.

De’von Downes

Stretch & Explore: Experience Discomfort

$600

This award is for a Black Art Educator who shares a personal narrative of events that required them to hold others accountable for recognizing our role in systems of bias. His educator uses art to amplify the voices and practices of those underrepresented in art education.

Betsaleel (Bets) Charmelus

Express:

Speak your Truth

$600

While we know engaging in equity work can be met with silence-provoking obstacles, this individual chooses to speak up with bold honesty within and beyond art education. They allow their thoughts, feelings, and/or emotions to be heard despite fear of being misunderstood or misinterpreted.

Jana Lynn (JL) Umipig

Persist: 

Expect & Accept Nonclosure

$600

This award is for an individual who has dedicated themselves to an ongoing process toward change in the field(s) of art education.  This art educator recognizes that we must persist in words and actions because there are no quick solutions to systemic bias.

Congratulations to all of this years Awardees!