2017 btf honorees
Forward arts- chancelier "xero" skidmore, executive director
Forward Arts fosters personal and social transformation by providing arts instruction, literary education and youth development in southeastern Louisiana.
A poetry slam is an Olympic-style spoken word poetry competition in which poets perform original writing within a three minute time limit. Originality, physicality and vulnerability are some the hallmarks of successful slam poems.
The youth of Forward Arts are under the tutelage of internationally-acclaimed slam poets, such as Executive Director Chancelier ‘Xero’ Skidmore, a former world poetry slam champion, and program director Desireé Dallagiacomo, a multi-time international poetry slam finalist and viral video sensation. The staff of Forward Arts collectively has over fifteen years experience as teaching artists and administrators of youth spoken word poetry.
- www.forwardarts.com
transfhermation- quintina ricks, founder
We build the female leaders of the future. There’s no denying that women are making huge contributions all across the globe in every area of human endeavors. It’s also no secret that women face unique challenges relative to crushing stereotypes and breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling.
Transfhermation ensures that girls: that girls:
Embrace their femininity
Understand their power
Harness their creativity
Face their fears
Identify their strengths
Visualize their future
-www.transfhermation.com
Miss black louisiana usa- nakia nole wilson-nelson, executive director
The Miss Black Louisiana USA is an affiliate of the Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation, Inc. that is a non-profit corporation, recognized under the 501(c)3 code of the Internal Revenue Service. It is our mission to provide educational opportunities to outstanding young women of color and to develop the "whole woman mind, body, and spirit". We celebrate scholastic achievements and believe that education is the key to lifelong success and empowerment. We assist in identifying scholarships and funding opportunities to help pursue higher education.
- www.missblacklouisiana.com