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WHEREAS, The Black Transformative Arts Network, also known as BTAN (pronounced B-TAN), was formed in 2019, as a community centered and facilitated re-imagining and continuation of the field building work of the Heinz Endowments Transformative Arts Process, initially led by Justin Lang, starting in 2012. and,
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WHEREAS, BTAN has been led by 3 dynamic Black women, artists, community culture workers and co-facilitators from 2019-present. The black women who have led this network are, I Medina Jackson of the University of Pittsburgh's P.R.I.D.E. Program (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education), Taliya Allen of Earth Seed Solutions and Sister I of Children's Window to Africa. and,
WHEREAS, The Black Transformative Arts Network is an inter-generational, intersectional hub for Black-Africana artist support, learning and development, intended to educate, connect and advance the field of creative practice for the benefit of Black children and youth. Their mission is to support and connect Black-Africana youth artists, teaching artists and educators to build a transformative, creative community for Black-Africana children.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and congratulate The Black Transformative Arts Network (BTAN).
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare, Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, to be “The Black Transformative Arts Network Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.