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Bobbie Paul 2018 Ebon Dooley Honoree Bridge Builder https://www.facebook.com/bobbie.paul.90 Bobbie Paul served as the first Executive Director of Georgia WAND (Women's Action for New Directions) from 2002-2013. Prior to coming to Atlanta in 1981 she worked as a professional theatre director in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, Florida where she co-founded what is now American Stage Company. Bobbie's political and environmental activism began in Atlanta in 1982 fighting the Georgia Dept, of Transportation's plans to build the Stone Mountain Freeway. She organized hundreds of neighborhood volunteers and designing theatrical events try to halt the construction a major 6-lane highway that would cut through eight historic Intown neighborhoods and parks. This marked the beginning of Bobbie's long association with Congressman John Lewis, an ally in the fight. fortifying her commitment to 'getting in the way', risking emotional pain to build partnerships in order to advance Dr King's vision of the beloved community. Bobbie spent 25 years watch dogging the Savannah River Site (a major US nuclear weapons Superfund complex located in South Carolina across from Waynesboro, Ga) and fighting to protect vulnerable Georgia communities from nuclear contamination. In 2010, Bobbie led Georgia WAND efforts to win Senator Johnny Isakson's leadership and support for Senate passage of a nuclear non-proliferation treaty with Russia called NEW START. Bobbie has served on the boards of Arbor Montessori and Paideia Schools, Theatrical Outfit, Dad's Garage Theatre, GreenLaw, the Advisory Committee of the Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda. She's been recognized for her grassroots activism by the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability, Eckerd Alumni Association, Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America, the Atlanta City Council and the State of Georgia for her service to the community. She was honored to be chosen to receive the Ebon Dooley Bridge Builder Award by the ArtsXchange in 2018. Bobbie is a founding member of Atlanta Grandmothers for Peace and is still active with that group. She is currently working on Run With Her, a creative fundraising campaign to help elect seven Metro Atlanta women to the the Georgia House of Representatives in November. She is married to filmmaker Rod Paul. They have two adults sons and two grandchildren – also of Atlanta. Bobbie is a longtime member of Central Presbyterian Church. In addition to Georgia WAND, Bobbie is a supporter Georgians for Gun Safety, Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Planned Parenthood, the Equal Justice Initiative, Abuelas Responden, Nuclear Watch South, and several environmental organizations. * Barbara Seifer Paul – born July 11, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pa. Out of gallery OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

01756a3a-e048-41a9-a62d-15e90f8ab0ed PRESS The Spotlight Series-An Evening of original 10 minute plays November 17, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEAS E THE SPOTLIGHT SERIES: AN EVENING OF ORIGINAL 10-MINUTE PLAYS Dec. 10 | 7 p.m. artsxchange.org/event-details/spotlight-series CONTACT: Angela Oliver, media@artsxchange.org , 404-624-4211 ArtsXchange sponsors evening of original plays by writers, actors formerly on strike The Spotlight Series to highlight injustices plaguing Atlanta EAST POINT, Ga. — Great ideas are often born through challenging times, says Chantal Maurice, actor and founder of CoStar Coaching . When the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists unions went on strike earlier this year, Maurice thought of an outlet for local strikers to keep their creativity in motion. “Artists struggle when they aren't able to exercise their gifts and talents,” she said. “The strike impacted artists mentally and financially, but The Spotlight Series allowed me to create something of purpose; a reason for artists to continue to create within the strike rules.” The Spotlight Series , an evening of seven original 10-minute plays by Atlanta-based writers, directors and producers, will debut at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Paul Robeson Theater at ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. The ArtsXchange is sponsoring the event as part of its Paul Robeson Theater Incubator program, which provides free performance space for independent and emerging playwrights who embody his legacy. A nine-year career in TV and film has connected Maurice to many. Thus, she was able to “network across,” a term Issa Rae coined, she said, to find writers, directors and producers. “Any opportunity that I get, I will always look to the left and right of me and push my peers forward,” Maurice said. The plays tackle various sociopolitical matters, especially those plaguing Atlanta. “Sibling’s Keeper,” written by Kim Akia, exposes various forms of sex trafficking and the plight of the rescuing process, with Atlanta following Washington, D.C. in the highest rates of human trafficking. “Mask Off," written by Kayla Bennett, explores the role news media play in creating negative narratives about marginalized communities. And Onaji Rouse’s "Getting Repped” highlights racial discrimination in the workplace. While The Spotlight Series began solely for creators, Maurice said it has evolved her goals, such as her plan to partner with corporate diversity and inclusion departments to create more inclusive workspaces, using theater to highlight equity issues. “Art is one of the most powerful tools in activism because it forces people to feel,” she said. “Theater has the power to evoke emotions and broaden perspectives. It can empower people to take action.” Tickets are $30 and are available online or at the door. ABOUT THE ARTSXCHANGE The ArtsXchange , d/b/a the Southeast Community Cultural Center, was incorporated in 1983 and opened The Arts Exchange In 1984 in Grant Park, reshaping the landscape of Metro Atlanta’s arts scene. In East Point since 2017, the ArtsXchange empowers artists, social justice activists, and creative entrepreneurs to engage communities with innovative artistic learning experiences and cultural exchange. Our programming is designed to be inclusive, diverse, and to encourage positive change as participants come to a better understanding of themselves and others. Our art is our activism. ABOUT COSTAR COACHING After working as a Career Consultant at a prominent NYC Acting Studio and booking roles on shows like: Blue Bloods, Quantico & Mr. Robot, Chantal found herself helping many of her actor friends prep for their TV Auditions. After a year of informal coaching and consulting, CoStar Coaching was birthed in 2016. The Mission of CoStar Coaching is to Empower Actors to their Full Potential through acting training, audition coaching and career consulting. CEO & Founder, Chantal Maurice, is an award-winning actress/filmmaker and proud member of SAG-AFTRA. She has booked over 15 television shows and several films, from recurring as Rashida Flowers on “Grey's Anatomy” (ABC) to guest Starring as Dr. Katrina Randal on “Queen Sugar” (OWN). DOWNLOAD THE PDF Press Contact Angela Oliver media@artsXchange.org She/Her

7 Stages Theatre 2023 Ebon Dooley Honoree Bridge Builder Contact Seven Stages https://www.7stages.org 7 Stages is a professional, non-profit theatre company devoted to engaging artists and audiences by focusing on the social, political, and spiritual values of contemporary culture. 7 Stages gives primary emphasis to international work and the support and development of new plays, new playwrights, and new methods of collaboration. Since 1979, 7 Stages Theatre has brought local, national, and international emerging artwork of social, political, and spiritual importance to Atlanta audiences. For over 40 years, artists of all kinds have found 7 Stages to be a haven in the support and development of new works and methods of collaboration. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

1a16f8d0-d5d0-47b5-bd97-7339911ae009 PRESS ArtsXchange celebrates 40 years of cultivating community March 10, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ARTSXCHANGE 40TH ANNIVERSARY artsxchange.org CONTACT: Angela Oliver, media@artsxchange.org , 404-624-4211 ArtsXchange celebrates 40 years of cultivating community Year of events to reflect organization’s historical influence, impact on Atlanta arts scene EAST POINT, Ga. — The ArtsXchange has amplified a quiet corner of East Point since 2017. But its roots in Atlanta go back to 1984 and its reach now spans 40 years of cultivating community, whether as a lobbying arm for public arts funding, a launching pad for now celebrated artists, or a creative home for legends to learners. “The ArtsXchange is a living example of the power of artists to create their own destiny,” said co-founder and Executive Director Alice Lovelace. The 40th anniversary theme, based on its facade mural, Cultivating Community by Charity Hamidullah, honors the ArtsXchange’s commitment to grassroots community building and celebrates its fruitful history that is often overlooked. That history will be commemorated in various ways, including A Room of Her Own, an exhibition of women artists with current or past studios here, May 5-June 22; homecoming weekend June 7-9; the annual fundraiser Sept. 21; and the 7th Annual Ebon Dooley Arts & Social Justice Awards Dec. 7. “There are so many artists who helped to make the last 40 years possible,” Lovelace said. “We could not see 40 years into the future, so this year is a monument to those people who did what was needed every day, one day at a time.” The ArtsXchange is home to many firsts in Atlanta’s rich cultural story. Many artists grew to prominence in their former studios, including Kevin Cole, Rocio Rodriquez, and Charmaine Minniefield. Master artists like Jim Alexander and Lisa Tuttle still create from their studios here every day. The vision of late activist, scholar, poet and organizer Ebon Dooley, the ArtsXchange changed the dynamic of the Atlanta arts scene when the original Arts Exchange opened in Grant Park in 1984. Dooley, alongside Lovelace, answered the need for a multiethnic, multidisciplinary and socially engaged arts Center. “This place allowed me to define my own world and influenced my thinking about community, culture, and the power of art,” said cultural worker and Board President Cheryl Johnson, who took dance classes and performed there as a teen. “Even when the roof was leaking and the wood floors needed work, it still felt safe. It was always a place to be uniquely ourselves, whatever that meant to each of us.” For 40 years, the ArtsXchange has been a point of creative exchange for artists, activists, and long- silenced community voices. With a range of free and low-cost offerings, it keeps the arts inclusive and accessible in an industry that can be exclusive. Through its performance spaces and exhibits, it remains an uplifter of emerging and marginalized creatives. And with its sprawling community garden, meaningful partnerships, and active role in its new East Point neighborhood, the ArtsXchange remains a leader in applying the arts to solutions for social issues from food security and health equity, to economic opportunities and cultural preservation. “We are an institution built by, for, and with working artists and the community we serve,” said Lovelace.“We are still the place where aspiring artists can find a home and other artists to support them. That gives me hope that another 40 years is possible.” DOWNLOAD THE PDF Press Contact Angela Oliver media@artsXchange.org She/Her

Elizabeth Omilami 2020 Ebon Dooley Honoree Economic Justice Champion https://www.facebook.com/eomilami Elisabeth Williams-Omilami has been "on the battlefield for her Lord", for over 30 years. Beginning as a very young girl, she accompanied her father, noted civil rights leader, Dr. Hosea Williams on marches and in movements across the south. Her "jailed for Freedom" record includes being the first Black woman in 75 years to spend the night in the Forsyth County jail during that infamous march in January of 1981. As an actress, she was able to combine her art with life as she toured in the play that her mother, State Representative Juanita T. Williams, co-wrote titled "The Life Of A King". Her parents, both gone home to be with the Lord in 2000, formed in her from a very early age that we all are accountable for each other and for the environment that exists on the planet and responsible to do all that we can to fight for justice for everyone. While working as an actress and playwright, Omilami had also worked for over 15 years in the background of her father's "Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless" efforts and, upon his passing in November of 2000, became the organization's CEO, expanding the organization to provide an additional 40,000 dinners yearly with the addition of events on M.L.K. Jr.'s Birthday and Easter Sunday. She is now planning for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners while adding to her busy speaking and touring schedule several international relief efforts in the Philippines and Uganda. She is a graduate of Hampton University in Theatre and founder of one of Atlanta's earliest theatre companies, People's Survival Theater, as well as the "Summer Artscamp", providing arts programming for economically challenged youth for over 7 years. She has written several plays, one of which "There Is A River In My Soul" will be touring in February 2002. She is a past member of both the Georgia Council For The Arts and the Fulton County Arts Council and is a passionate advocate for the arts to be instituted as a permanent part of our society. She is an accomplished actress and can be seen this Christmas at the Alliance Theatre in "A Christmas Carol" and in early 2002 in "Left Hand Singing" at the Jewish Theatre of The South. She can also be seen in the HBO made for television movie, Boycott (2001), and will be well remembered by fans of both In the Heat of the Night (1988) and the award-winning I'll Fly Away (1991). She is the wife of actor Afemo Omilami , co-director of "Hosea's Feed The Hungry and Homeless" and has two wonderful children - Awodele, 21, and Juanita, 16. She is a member of Abundant Life Church in Lithonia, Ga., where her Pastor is Rev. Woodrow Walker, II. She is an active member of the Prison, Missions, and Drama Ministries there. Hosea Helps Website Facebook OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

Victor Love Studio Artist act@evolvatlanta.com https://evolvatlanta.com/ Victor Love was born in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.He grew up in Los Angeles California. He fell in love with acting at an early age. He is no stranger to the entertainment industry, having spent 30+ years as an Actor prior to starting EVOLV ATLANTA. Love received his AA at the prestigious Los Angeles Theater Academy and MFA at the Professional Actor’s Training Program in Milwaukee, now located in Delaware. He completed the Meisner Technique with Bill Esper in New York and the Chubbuck Technique with Ivana Chubbuck in Los Angeles. He also trained with Tadashi Suzuki in Japan. Victor had speech training with the legendary Edith Skinner and Timothy Monich. His classical training included stints with Shakespeare and Company. Victor Love achieved international attention for his debut role as Bigger Thomas in the 1987 film adaptation of Richard Wright’s novel NATIVE SON. His co-stars included Oprah Winfrey, Geraldine Page, Matt Dillon and Elizabeth McGovern. He was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor in his first film, Native Son. He continued his career with several TV and film roles: It’s My Party, Gang Related, Velocity Trap, The Hank Gathers Story, Jaded, Mr. Payback, Heaven is a Playground, Miami Vice, A Different World, LA Law, Babylon 5, West Wing, and many others. Victor had a recurring role on “RED BAND SOCIETY”. Recently he guest starred on FOX TV’s “THE RESIDENT” as well as a series regular in a pilot on “ADULT SWIM”. He is an active member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. Most recently he has completed filming “RED ALL OVER” and is preparing to film THE OLIVE BRANCH (with Louis Gossett Jr.). He is the Managing Director and Master Instructor of the EVOLV ATLANTA ACTING studio in Atlanta, Georgia USA, where he teaches acting and scene study for stage and film. Mr. Love has previously coached actors in the academy award winning film “MOONLIGHT” and “HIDDEN FIGURES”. He is excited to be working on “BAD BOYS FOR LIFE 3” as an acting coach. Mr. Love knows what a working actor needs to make it in this competitive world and he is uniquely qualified to give his knowledge and expertise to his actors. EVOLV ATLANTA ACTING We create an environment where actors become conscious and comfortable with the changes necessary to achieving freedom from anything that inhibits their brilliance. We are an gym for the actor where failing forward is our philosophy. We work acting technique, excercises and on scenes from television and film. On camera class work is an integral part of our training program. We expose the student to several different methods as well as teaching the Chubbuck technique. The Chubbuck technique is the cutting-edge technique that has launched some of the most successful careers in Hollywood. (Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, Terrance Howard, Eriq La Salle, Charlize Theron, James Franco, Taraji P. Henson) The classes are small and the work we do is designed around each students needs. We accept all levels of students. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

0a50bc2d-f80f-4eca-8226-ac118efbd548 PRESS Reimagined Joy aims to recharge youth and families after pandemic slump April 15, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REIMAGINED JOY: A Festival of Creativity & Learning May 6, 2023 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More Info & Free Tickets ‘Reimagined Joy’ aims to recharge youth, families after pandemic slump Free festival to fuse arts, health and wellness at ArtsXchange East Point, GA — After the past few years, many communities need resources to counter the mental and physical toll of adjusting to a world changed by the pandemic. The ArtsXchange’s REIMAGINED JOY: A Festival of Creativity & Learning aims to help youth, families and seniors find relief and reinvigoration by exploring the arts, physical health and mental wellness all at once. The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 6 at the ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. It is free and open to all ages. “We believe that a strong extended family unit is key to increasing the wellbeing of children,” said Executive Director Alice Lovelace. “This program allows us to focus on each participant's ability to improve their physical health, reduce stress and anxiety, and explore their creativity." Reimagined Joy’s various offerings include Sanskrit Moon Yoga, West African dance and drumming class and performances by I Am Arts, a Blues Legacy presentation by legendary photographer Jim Alexander, art by 7 Stages, beading with Sista Shaman, Tai chi, martial arts and Capoeira with Tabala Research Institute, trapeze and circus arts with Steve Seaberg and Earth to Sky Youth Aerialists, artmaking with Lisa Tuttle, seed planting with the Champion Gardeners Youth Entrepreneurs, an East Point Grown gardening class “Food as Medicine,” a sculpture installation, music, food, door prizes and more. “Art making and creative pursuits focus your attention while engaging multiple parts of the brain. We know that this type of cognitive challenge increases the feelings of self-worth and wellbeing,” Lovelace said. “This festival is a source of creative healing after being isolated by the pandemic. We want people to feel that sense of connection, to know they’re not alone.” The festival will also be the backdrop for the opening of our next exhibition, Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived, which celebrates the poetry, photography and collections of the late civil rights activist, SNCC Free Southern Theater founder and Georgia State professor Dr. Doris Derby. Reimagined Joy is funded by a grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts, which includes appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and National Endowment for the Arts. For more information or to get free tickets, see our event page. ABOUT THE ARTSXCHANGE The ArtsXchange, d/b/a the Southeast Community Cultural Center, was incorporated in 1983 and opened The Arts Exchange In 1984 in Grant Park, reshaping the landscape of Metro Atlanta’s arts scene. In East Point since 2017, the ArtsXchange is home to 14 multidisciplinary artist studios, ranging from photographers and muralists to djembe drummers and textile artists. We empower artists, social justice activists and creative entrepreneurs to engage communities with innovative artistic learning experiences and cultural exchange. Our programming is designed to be inclusive, diverse, and to encourage positive change as participants come to a better understanding of themselves and others. Our art is our activism. Visit www.artsxchange.org for more information. ABOUT GEORGIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) is a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development whose mission is to cultivate the growth of vibrant, thriving Georgia communities through the arts. GCA provides grant funding, programs, and services statewide that support the vital arts industry, preserve the state’s cultural heritage, increase tourism, and nurture strong communities. Funding for Georgia Council for the Arts is provided by appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit www.gaarts.org for more information. DOWNLOAD THE PDF Press Contact Angela Oliver media@artsXchange.org She/Her

Jonathan Banks 2023 Ebon Dooley Honoree Emerging Leader contact@journeybrave.com https://www.journeybrave.com Jonathan Banks is a photographer who loves the art of storytelling. He has spent the last decade capturing and sharing storied images of the people and places within his various communities. His photography has been featured in international publications, and he has exhibited consistently since 2016. Influenced by the work of renowned photographers such as Gordon Parks and Jamel Shabazz, Banks aims to connect with his community on a very intimate level. Life inspires him; he believes that everything and everyone has a story, and it is an honor for him to use his creativity to help tell those stories. Banks believes that the more individuals and communities learn how to coexist, the better the world will be. His work aims to introduce people to their communities in a positive way. The goal is to connect with the unfamiliar while honoring cultures that have existed for decades, and even centuries. He hopes that his projects can create dialogue that informs and bridges people who normally wouldn't engage with each other at all. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

Corinthia Jenkins MPH Alumni - Studio Artist https://www.instagram.com/meditationsuitsme Corinthia Yemi Jenkins , MPH is an instrument for social justice. As a Certified Health Education Specialist, she has founded BabyU (BU)Prenatal Support Services and Meditation Suits Me!(MSM) Each venture has allowed her to bring wellness support services to underserved populations throughout Metro Atlanta. Baby U provides doula services and community baby showers as well as extended mom and baby classes to support the unique needs of new families. MSM provides corporate and individual stress management classes and mindfulness training to provide mental health tools that have been documented to improve wellness and quality of life. BabyU(BU) and Meditation Suits Me(MSM) also produce a line of personal wellness products designed to enhance the services provided to the community. The presence of BU and MSM will offer a unique addition to the art community as a major contributor to the collective wellness of the community. Each class taught and item created will assist in ending the social injustices that plague many communities of color. Corinthia Jenkins began her personal meditation practice over two decades ago. Through training from the Chopra Center and Iyanla Vanzant's Inner Visions Institute she chose to pursue avenues to provide mindfulness and meditation techniques to all looking to develop proven strategies to support wellness. She founded Meditation Suits Me to provide meditation and mindfulness classes to government and private organizations and individuals. Through group sessions and retreats students gain valuable tools to strengthen their own lives. As an extension she also founded BabyU a doula and maternal support service to enhance the journey to motherhood through mindfulness and meditation. Corinthia received her Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Health Education and Health Policy form Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. She received her BA in Anthropology concentrating on medical anthropology and the culture of wellness access in diverse communities. She also has 15 years of teaching in public schools and independent school systems. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

John Washington ArtsXchange Office & Event Manager office@artsxchange.org John Washington (He/They) , a dynamic and accomplished professional, stands at the intersection of academia, community engagement, and leadership. With a Bachelor of Arts in English from Georgia State University, He has cultivated a diverse skill set and a passion for making a positive impact. His academic journey laid the foundation for his multifaceted career. Graduating from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2022. The academic environment not only honed, but his analytical and research skills but also instilled a deep appreciation for the power of language and communication. While in Undergraduate, he was undergraduate researcher at Georgia State University’s CSAD program. It was there that he developed a passion for archival research, record management, and learning software programs. As an Undergraduate Student-Researcher, [he delved into archival records, genealogical searches, and utilized geo-rectifying programs. This experience honed his research and analytical capabilities, contributing significantly to his growth. Upon graduation, John Washington worked as a Digitalization Student Intern at the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library. AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library - Digitization Student Intern (April 2023-August 2023): John’s journey into professional life commenced with a role at the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library. As a Digitalization Student Intern, [he/she/they] demonstrated a commitment to preserving historical content. His responsibilities included creating descriptive metadata for digitized content, cataloging archival materials, and researching Library of Congress Authorities for Metadata. Episcopal Church of the Incarnation - Parish Executive Administrator/Bookkeeper (March 2022-Present): Transitioning into the realm of church administration, [Your Name] assumed the role of Parish Executive Administrator/Bookkeeper. Managing critical church documents, coordinating events, and maintaining schedules for senior church leadership, he had showcased not only organizational prowess but also a commitment to the community. CSAD-Georgia State University - Undergraduate Student-Researcher (January 2021-December 2022): As an Undergraduate Student-Researcher, John delved into archival records, genealogical searches, and utilized geo-rectifying programs. This experience honed his research and analytical capabilities, contributing significantly to his growth. In conclusion, John Washington's journey is a testament to the power of education, community engagement, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Balancing academic prowess with practical experience, John embodies the spirit of a versatile professional poised for continued success. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES