UHAI - the East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative
AfriQ ARTS: Championing Revolutionary Love
A series of community engagement and fundraising events celebrating African/African American art and creativity--
to stand with East African LGBTQI+ communities
Art Activism for East African LGBTQI+ Communities
Background
Across Africa, LGBTQI+ people continue to face severe discrimination, exclusion, and criminalization that limit access to health services, economic opportunity, and basic rights. Despite these neocolonial challenges, queer communities continue to build resilience, create culture, and lead movements for change.
As the first indigenous, activist-led feminist fund, UHAI EASHRI fills this gap, utilizing participatory grant-making to ensure communities lead and shape their own solutions.
“AfriQ Arts: Championing Revolutionary Love” is a New York City-based series of community dialogues and a fundraising event that harnesses the power of art to raise visibility and resources for LGBTQI+ communities in East Africa.. Bringing together artists, collectors, philanthropists, and activists, the events will support UHAIs grantee partners that advance dignity, inclusion, and empowerment.
Sponsored by UHAI EASHRI US, the series builds on the legacy of the Africa’s Out fundraising events organized by Wangechi Mutu in 2015 and 2016.
Gala Event Overview
Title: AfriQ Arts - Championing Revolutionary Love
Type: Community Dialogue, Art Exhibition, Musical Performance and Benefit Fundraiser
Date: Early 2027 TBD
Venue: Venue TBD, New York, NY USA
Beneficiary: UHAI the East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative (EASHRI) via its 501c3 registered sister organization, UHAI US (https://uhaius.org/)
Expected Attendance: 200-250 guests (donors, artists, activists, celebrities)
What to expect
Preceded by a series of community dialogues celebrating the role of art in championing human rights, the fundraising event will feature curated visual works from established and emerging African and African American artists — both LGBTQI+ and allied — whose art explores themes of identity, love, liberation, and belonging. The evening will include:
- A gallery exhibition and silent auction of African and African American queer and adjacent artists' visual works
- A fashion show of current and emerging African and African American queer fashion designers
- Live performances by African and African American queer and adjacent musicians and poets
- Remarks from artists and activists
- A fundraising appeal and donor pledge moment
- Networking reception featuring African-inspired small bites, drink and music
Expected outcomes
- At least $300,000 raised to support community-based LGBTQI+ initiatives.
- Increased visibility of LGBTQI+ African/African-American/Queer/Adjacent artists and activists in the cultural space.
- Strengthened partnerships between the art and social justice sectors.
- Establishment of AfriQ Arts -Championing Revolutionary Love as an annual event platform for advocacy and fundraising.
Partner with us
Are you?
- African and African American queer and adjacent visual or performing artist
- Art collectors and patrons
- African and international philanthropists
- Corporate supporters of art and community
- Diplomatic and development community
- LGBTQI+ advocates and allies
- Cultural and creative sector leaders