Austin Outreach and Community Service Center’s (AOCSC) mission is to improve the quality of life for African Americans and those in need by promoting and providing specialized services and resources in the areas of Health, Education, and HIV Prevention for African Americans and those in need. The goal is to provide culturally sensitive HIV education and information to prevent and reduce exposure to and transmission of infection through the reduction or elimination of high-risk behaviors among African Americans. ARA is the fiscal agent for this organization.
The CHE organization has received assistance in applying for grants with the City of Austin and will use the funds to provide HIV education to those in need. $59,000 of funding from the City of Austin Health and Human Services Department was awarded to the CHE PreP Project. ARA was the fiscal agent for this organization.
Urban Health Expo is the first collaborative effort of its kind to help bring health and wellness change to Blacks and Latinos of Central Texas. Bringing together more than 30 key players of the industry here in Austin, with hopes of introducing you to cool, unique, fun, interactive as well as engaging ways to get fit and stay healthy. ARA was the fiscal agent for this organization.
The event on February 15th at the Empire Control Room, titled ‘Love Lockdown is a live music event, showcasing five homegrown Austin R&B and pop/soul musical acts. The event was hosted by KUTX’s hip hop and R&B DJs Confucius and Fresh. Their focus as born and raised Austinites from the Eastside is to not only showcase the homegrown talents outside of Americana, country, folk etc., but also to bring together a community that is underrepresented in the city. The attendance was over 200 people. ARA was awarded $2500 from the Community Initiatives program as the fiscal agent for this event.
Diverse Literary Voices is rooted in the literature and writings of Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. This event also brings attention to the broader multi-cultural Austin literary community. A $4,000 grant proposal was submitted by ARA and approved by the City of Austin Economic and Cultural development department in support of this community event.
The ARA was a proud sponsor throughout 2019 of the Women in Jazz Organization and the various events that the organization held throughout the community.
The second annual Soul of Austin Culture Festival celebrating a mosaic of cultures. Manifested through art, music, food and unique performances. ARA was a sponsor of this event continuing the building of bridges and supporting people of diverse communities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas’ brightest gem, the Ice Ball Gala, included cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, seated dinner, auctions and live music in downtown Austin. ARA was a bronze sponsor of this event which raised over $800k for children in Central Texas.
Hampton University choral groups and ensembles have made substantial contributions to the enjoyment of choral music for audiences throughout the world. The choir has performed for presidential and gubernatorial inaugurations as well as with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. They performed with the Huston-Tillotson Concert Choir and were conducted by Omar J. Dickenson and accompanied by Benjamin Garner.
ARA was a proud sponsor of the 2019 AISD Inspire the Future Luncheon. It was their most successful luncheon to date with more than 500 guests in attendance and raising more than $300,000 to invest in Austin ISD, making an impact in the lives of all Austin ISD students and teachers and in our community.
KUTX The Breaks and LÜM presented the 2nd Annual Summer Jam Showcase, which was held at Barracuda. The showcase premiered rising R&B and hip-hop artists, bringing them to the forefront of the Austin music scene. Summer Jam was hosted by Austin’s #1 hip-hop radio show, The Breaks. Hosts, Confucius and Fresh, not only wanted to highlight the hottest artists in the city, but also bring various pieces of our community together, uniting in appreciation of Austin’s vibrant music community. ARA was a sponsor and fiscal agent for the event.
Austin Revitalization Authority was a sponsor for Empower MEASURE 2019: Data Walk & 1st Fundraiser at Google. ARA was also a sponsor of the Community Engaged Research Forum and Pitch Event held at Huston-Tillotson where 5 local nonprofits were empowered with data & impacted by this work. ARA sponsored a $2500 internship for a Huston-Tillotson University student who was selected through the program and empowered with data & impacted by this work. The program will continue meaningful disruption through data & research.
This superhero themed event featured exhibitors from a wide range of organizations including CommUnityCare and Central Health who will be on hand with Colony Park’s new mobile health unit. LBJ High School staff hosted a station to support families with early registration and free haircuts were offered by Bella Beauty School along with free vaccines and sports physicals. Free backpacks with school supplies were also given out. ARA provided a donation for this event.
This year, AAUL EOG honored some of Central Texas’ fiercest champions of civil rights, equal opportunity, and social justice while simultaneously kickstarting a healthy discourse with a dynamic keynote speaker. The 2019 EOD Gala affords the chance to look back on our community’s accomplishments and connect with Austin’s best and brightest. ARA is a proud gold sponsor of this event where over 600 people were in attendance.
Austin Revitalization Authority’s Inaugural Soul Food Truck festival was designed to appeal to attendees in search of the hidden soul food mobile truck gems that are tucked all over Austin. ARA was a proud sponsor of this event and the fiscal agent.
Lovebites is a 10-minute narrative film inspired by a short-lived relationship. The film exposes the bitter internal struggle of a young woman hanging onto the magic of the past and fighting against her realizations about the empty future she faced with someone she wants to be committed to. This short film is a contemporary perspective of a Fellini-esque female protagonist. Much of the film is about perspectives and the film employs certain cinematic techniques to convey multiple points of view. ARA was the fiscal sponsor for the special premiere screening of the film securing $2500 through the Community Initiatives program.
The ARA hosted a temporary exhibition during the East Austin studio tour cultivating artist development and stimulating support for multi-cultural art throughout the East Austin area.
ARA was the proud sponsor of the Austin Arts Fair, a family-friendly arts and culture event celebrating the artists and performers who contribute so much to the unique character and vibrant culture of Austin!
The purpose of Something At the Park hosted by Dream Out Loud Experience (DOLE) is to give back to the community by hosting a live community event. This event brings family, fun, and fellowship together for a great day in the community. The biggest task is to assist families with obtaining necessary school supplies and other resources to begin their school year. By bringing community resources to families including job opportunities, insurance, food or etc. DOLE wants to make sure that everyone has access to as much information and as many resources as they may need. DOLE has hosted this event for 8 years with the help of the community and their donations.
ARA has donated $4,000 to the Jump on It Summer Concert Music Festival. This event promotes health awareness and provides a stage for the public to promote important causes. Jump on Its uniqueness lies in their ability to engage thousands of people by fusing live entertainment, education, games, marketplace and workshops weekly throughout the summer.
ARA organized with community partners and sponsored the annual Property Tax Town hall at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center. Local leaders and tax experts presented an informational forum about local property taxes with a goal of providing educational tools for homeowners.
ARA hosted the annual Juneteenth artist celebration that featured spoken word and artists from Austin and Trinidad, highlighting local artists and the East Austin Community.
ARA hosted the 4th Annual Dr. Charles Urdy golf tournament to benefit Community & Cultural Development programs including the property tax town hall and community initiative programs, art exhibitions, and culturally diverse music festivals. The funds raised will benefit the East Austin Community in 2020.
The 6th Annual Black Women In Business (BWIB) Extravaganza is an event that has attracted more than 1,000 attendees each year! Attending this event will boost your business, promote your organization, increase your network and inspire you to start the business you’ve been dreaming of! This event showcases black businesswomen. ARA was a silver sponsor of this event.
The Kids Helping Kids of Texas Coat Collection and Distribution celebrated their tenth year of executing the mission of providing winter clothes and shoes for as many children as possible. Over 800 coats were distributed to lower income families throughout the community.
The 54th Annual NAACP DeWitty/Overton Freedom Fund Banquet took place at the Hyatt Regency Town Lake where over 900 people attended the event.
The ARA sponsored a foursome team for the AAUL Soul of the City Golf Tournament that took place at Avery Ranch.
GABCC Taste of Black Austin is a culinary experience that traverses the journey of black economic prosperity through the historical context of food. The evening’s theme “Green Book” pays homage to those establishments listed in the Green-Book. From home-cooked meals sold from church basements to black-owned restaurants with steady clientele, these angels of mercy and commerce provided refuge, sustenance and dignity to weary black travelers. Taste of Black Austin allows guests the opportunity to taste various hors d’oeuvres that have been recreated to chronicle Black food history from past to present. The menu featured bite sized portions of dishes found in archived recipe books and historic menu selections. ARA was proud to support this event where 200 people were in attendance.
Austin Revitalizations Authority’s partnership with the DAWA program provides financial assistance to musicians, artists, social workers, educators, healthcare workers, and service industry staff of color who are suffering financial distress that is compounded by the COVID.
Get more information at: http://dawaheals.org
This intimate festival celebrates the beautiful storytelling and unique, and yet still universal, perspective of talented African Americans filmmakers. Capital City Black Film (CCBFF) includes year-round events and opportunities to experience the brilliant works of black artists and filmmakers from across the globe. Live Music Capital of the World, a booming hub for renowned tech giants and innovative start-ups, and home to the world’s greatest music and entertainment festivals, Austin is on its way to becoming the Hollywood of Texas, making it the perfect home for the Capital City Black Film Festival. ARA is the fiscal agent for this festival.