Summary: SPECIAL GUEST: Monica McIntyre, Creative Director of the Black Women's Arts Festival. ***MISSION: The Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF), a Philadelphia based community event, focuses on the visibility and viability of black women artists of all genres and media without regard for: age, gender expression, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation or size. BWAF has been a 501 (c) (3) organization since 2007. ***OUR HERSTORY:The Black Women’s Arts Festival (BWAF) was founded and produced in March 2003 by Founder and Former Director Cassendre Xavier. Xavier, a multi-media artist who coined the term "renaissance negresse" in 2002, “…grew up with little support and [role] models of professional Black women artists.” In response to this lack of visibility Xavier produced a 3-day event at The Rotunda in Phila., PA., which showcased the work of black women artists in: performance, visual arts, literary arts, and film. Check out www.bwafphilly.org
