Claude Bunny Massassa is a contemporary artist from Gabon. She created Bunny Studio in 2016, a start-up dedicated to photography production, which became DWABI Studio in 2021. As an artist, she has represented Gabon in many international exhibitions in Senegal, Uganda, France, the United States, and Italy. In her art, she denounces social stigmas around issues of identity and mental health, and explores themes of traditions and myths.
Executive Director Kimberly Aceves- Iñiguez has been passionately committed for over 20 years to social justice organizing and advocacy efforts that bring voice and power to youth, LGBTQ people, people of color, and working-class communities in the Bay Area. Before coming on as the Executive Director for RYSE, Kimberly served as the Executive Director for Youth Together, the founding organization of the RYSE Center.
Kanwarpal Dhaliwal is one of the co-founders of RYSE and currently acts as the Associate Director. She supports and guides the implementation and integration of healing-centered practices, grounded in racial justice and liberation, and also develops, promotes, and advocates for policies, investments, practices, and research that enliven healing, justice, and liberation. Kanwarpal believes that the purpose of her work and life is to contribute to movements, communities, and legacies of liberation that honor the ancestors who fought for her existence and survival, and to forge a world that is just and gentle for future generations.
Sagal Ali is the founder and executive director of SAF. After a few years in her career in heritage protection in the cultural sector, she decided to develop the initiative to directly support young creatives in Somalia by launching her own foundation. She hopes to bridge the social gaps and inequalities women face in Somalia, both in society and in the arts scene.
Co-founders Catherine Dunga and Marleen Palmaers created Kitambo to bridge the gap between the African diaspora in Colombia and the narratives from the continent. From Kinshasa and Antwerp respectively, they work to connect African artists from the continent and their peers from the Colombian diaspora.
Martha Kazungu is a curator, art Historian and Founder of Njabala Foundation, an organization that curates periodic exhibitions and organizes a public program of activities to create a safe space for female artists to thrive and blossom.
Alicia Hansen is a photographer and teacher from New York. She founded NYC SALT in 2008 and, beyond teaching valuable creative skills to her students, has developed a long-term support system to uplift them through school and into their early artistic careers.
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The Broadway blockbuster WICKED is celebrating its 20th anniversary with Moleskine and the Moleskine Foundation.
For the occasion, WICKED and Moleskine have decided to support young changemakers who are addressing the world’s most pressing issues through creativity and culture. A percentage of the proceeds coming from the sales of a special edition notebook celebrating the anniversary will generate grants for the Creativity Pioneers Fund. The mission is to support those who want to explore their creativity – and unleash their unique voice.
“I am delighted to be sharing this important grant. At Moleskine, we believe in the timeless power of handwriting as an essential expression of human civilization, a powerful act to unleash human genius and foster the development and sharing of literacy and knowledge. All ideas start on paper, and I know we can look forward to discovering many beautiful ideas full of brains heart, and courage as a result of this important partnership.” Daniela Riccardi, Moleskine CEO
“I couldn’t be happier that WICKED and the Moleskine Foundation are partnering to create The EVERYONE DESERVES THE CHANCE TO FLY Grants. As a writer, I can attest that a blank page can be daunting – but it also can be inspiring, as there are limitless ways to fill it. And that is what WICKED, Moleskine, and these grants aim to do – to remind and inspire young writers that there are endless ways to express yourself, to tell your story, and to find your voice – and in doing so, they can help change the world.” Winnie Holzman, writer of the WICKED book.
Currently the 4th longest-running show in Broadway history, WICKED is celebrating its 20th Anniversary on Broadway this fall.
Winner of over 100 international awards, WICKED has been performed in over 100 cities in 16 countries around the world and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese. WICKED has been seen by nearly 65 million people worldwide.
Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello with musical staging by Tony Award winner Wayne Cilento. WICKED is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone.
