Pictured above: Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia
State of GEORGIA — USA Sponsor|Curator
Artwork: Jasmine Dawson (NaisuYoongi) — jazzybeararts.com
“Since the 13th century, when Griots originated from the West African Mande empire of Mali, they remain today as storytellers, musicians, praise singers, and oral historians of their communities. Theirs is a service based on preserving the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people. And as such, have for centuries retold the history of the empire, thus keeping their history and traditions alive.” — Lize Okoh (24 May 2018) What is a griot and why are they important?
My name is Willie “Mack” Thompson. I was born in Georgia, but my heart and soul have always held a deeper connection to my true roots in Africa and to a universal cosmic source that is far beyond mere words. My mother, Lizzie “Aunt Baby” Williams Thompson McCotton, the last living offspring of Georgiann Hudson Williams and Isaac Williams, was a part of our family’s ongoing reunions since 1947. I am curating this page for the State of Georgia to highlight arts in the state I once called home and to highlight and honor the incredible talents that are quite literally exploding amongst the Williams Hudson Family.
I have a master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, have been an avid African art collector, historian, Board Contributor for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and designed the South African Peace Stamp to fight apartheid in South Africa which the city of Berkeley, California, continues to honor, after 36 years.
Art can, and has changed the world. I am excited about all of the artists on this page and, as a Founding Advisor for ZO Magazine, about the work they continue internationally.
GEORGIA HAS BIRTHED SOME OF THE GREATEST TALENT IN THE WORLD!
MICAH BULLARD — Dance Theatre of Harlem — follow the link to join Mack’s work with the Theatre.
Micah is part of a Columbus, GA family that has met for a biennial family reunion for the past 100 years. His Georgia roots have produced a great harvest of talent.
Georgia was founded in 1732 as the Province of Georgia and became a royal colony in 1752. Georgia was the last and southernmost of the original Thirteen Colonies to be established. Named after King George II of Great Britain, the Colony of Georgia covered the area from South Carolina south to Spanish Florida and west to French Louisiana at the Mississippi River. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 population was 10,711,908. Wikipedia
Georgia’s Black buying power, defined as total income after taxes, was $118 billion in 2020, according to the 2021 Multicultural Economy report released by the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. That figure trailed only Texas ($149 billion) and New York ($141 billion), and was tied with California. It grew from $67 billion in 2010. But it was only part of a greater story about diversity in spending amid major demographic shifts, even as wealth and income disparities persist. In Georgia, over the last 10 years, Black buying power increased 78%. That was the 19th-biggest increase among states, compared with 61% nationally. Asian buying power here saw the 10th-fastest growth rate among states at 138%, compared with 111% nationally. Hispanic buying power in Georgia grew 83%, 28th in the nation. White Georgians’ buying power over the past decade saw a slower 52% increase, compared with 50% nationally, as white population growth stalled. White buying power in the state was $338 billion in 2020. “That reflects a number of things,” said Jeff Humphreys, director of UGA’s Selig Center and author of the report. “The Georgia economy is doing well and that raises the buying power of every group. All the groups in Georgia have done well.”
Aug 16, 2021
Georgia Cuisine!
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
We are all looking forward to tasting the Dirty South Fried Chicken Omelette at Twisted Soul when we get to Georgia!
Please make sure to check out info for our “Best Breakfast In the World” Concept & Expo now developing.
CREATIVITY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!
Update your current Artists Feature and Tour Dates Schedule with CITY Sponsorship – Click on Globe or Dancer for more info.
ZO ART CONVERGENCE
SPONSORS, CONTRIBUTORS, and ARTISTS in all Creative Disciplines.
MARCUS YATES MUSIC
STORM LEVY
CULTURAL GEORGIA | ART | MUSIC | DANCE | OFF THE BEATEN PATH!
ZuCot Gallery – Atlanta, GA | Pictured: Left – Jerry Lynn – Rise Up, 2020 | Right – Charly Palmer – Strong Soldier, 2019
There are rumors that NFT’s are the future of Art . . . well idk
MORE GEORGIA SPONSOR|CURATORS
OTHER CITY, STATE, COUNTRY SPONSOR|CURATORS
Creativity is the ability to bring thought into existence.
ZO absolutely believes that everyone has a measure of creativity and that by applying it to every area of our lives, massive change is possible. We encourage all that we meet to reflect on these inner abilities and to develop creatively as much as you are able.
By supporting our efforts through this sponsorship campaign, you are allowing us to connect to more creative souls and we are thrilled to make all of these connections on the basis of our planet’s geography. We believe that this is a connection of the heart.
Whether your sponsorship is for yourself, for your creative business enterprise, or for a Hero or Shero that is still with us (or In Celebration of one who has gone before), we believe in the eternal spirit of all that we do. What has been done before, affects us, and what we will do will affect the next generations. Thank you so much for your support. We wish you an overflow of creativity!
