Root. Surrender. Fly.
BDAC is in a process of reflection and strategic transformation. It has been a deep and slow process of assessing the last year and a half and the last twelve years of our work as an arts and culture collaborative. We are leaning into the necessary work needed to determine our future infrastructure and goals. With this in mind, BDAC has entered a strategic planning process with our “constellation of care” made up of trusted colleagues, our first business advisor, stategists at New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce, mentors, coaches, and healers. On the other side of our planning process, we look to be even more rooted in our values, vision, working rituals, partnerships, and abundance framework for thrival.
Undergoing a strategic refresh hasn’t been easy. The most challenging aspect of this process has been dealing with founder syndrome. I have largely led BDAC like a scrappy start-up even with a thriving clientele and organizational budget that has grown every year until the current economic downturn. This means we haven’t fully activated the abundance model we built for ourselves years ago. This means we have outgrown our shape and the narrative I constructed about who BDAC is and how it should function. Thankfully, I haven’t outgrown my passion for serving our community but the “how” must shift. Transformation is good although it does not always feel good.
Through this strategic refresh we are looking for ways to root, and fly. BDAC will:
Examine programmatic and consulting offerings;
Refine our ideal client and collaborator profile;
Re-imagine our revenue generation strategy;
Sharpen our business model;
Build an operations and sustainability plan;
Clarify our business strategy; and,
Activate a new operations and infrastructure model.
The most distinct aspect of BDAC’s strategic refresh comes with the full activation of Jupiter Performance Studio. This means that BDAC will no longer house Ebony’s creative projects. The process of separating the creative and consulting aspects of BDAC will take time but the goal is to resource and protect the work that is done in both domains. Trust, the work will always be connected and share values but the separation comes after years of learning, challenges, and massive amounts of personal investment in the midst of beautifully rooted and transformative community work.
Another aspect of our refresh is our approach to staffing. BDAC has for 12 years, a rotating strategic ensemble of consultants that have been hired on a project basis. While this model will continue in some form, we are looking to shift to increase the number of part-time employees working with BDAC and to refresh our freelance and consulting bench.
As always, I can’t thank you enough for trusting BDAC’s strategic leadership. Our sustainability would not be possible without our arts and culture community and those who work for justice in our field.
In love, light, and liberation,
Ebony Noelle Golden
Television debut now available for viewing at Twin Cities PBS.
Happenings
July
View dat black mermaid man lady/the show: dat Black Mermaid Man Lady/The Show is a performance processional that celebrates African-American cultures/traditions/histories/and multiple ways of embodying gender and calls all present to celebrate life.
View black/water: If you haven’t already had the opportunity to, black/water: The Digital Ceremony is still available for viewing. It features performances, artist talks, and music to explore and celebrate blackness and water as liberation technologies.
October
Art and Survival Fellowship: This October, the Art and Survival Fellowship begins in collaboration with Double Edge Theater. The first cohort will embark on a three-year training and performance process to explore climate justice, cultural wellness, site-responsive performance, and community-building across rural and urban geographies.
NEWS
BDAC Awarded Virtual Exploration Grant: We are excited to receive funds for exploration and visioning our creative work. Thank you to the Network of Ensemble Theaters and congratulations to all of the grantees.
In the Name Of Advances to the National Theatre Project Finalist Round: The National Theater Project (NTP) promotes the development of artist-led, ensemble, and devised theater work while extending the reach and life of these projects through touring.
BDAC awarded a microgrant for Harlem-based small businesses sponsored generously by the Apollo Theater, 125th Street Business Improvement District (BID), and Harlem Commonwealth Council, Inc. Learn more about the Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund here.
Let's build. BDAC is now accepting new clients and collaborators for the summer season. Schedule a discovery call by emailing info@bettydaughterarts.com or visiting bettysdaughterarts.com
Support BDAC
Venmo: @ebonynoellegolden
CashApp: $theebonynoellegolden
PayPal/Zelle: ebonygolden@bettysdaughterarts.com
