The "Art & Rhythm of the Diaspora" Fundraiser is raising funds to provide educational scholarships to support traditional and post-traditional students who need help funding their education and achieving their goal to graduate college. Please join us and meet some of the scholarship recipients. To date, we have awarded more than 38 college students continue pursuit of a degree. The following three artists will contribute works of art and be available at the event to support this important cause. The following thre artists have joined our scholarship fundraising cause by contributing their creative works of art to help students who have financial needs.

Ade Jones is a dynamic Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, MD-based multidisciplinary and multimedia artist. His vibrant, expressive work blends fashion, anime, music, and pop culture to explore Black culture and identity. Adept at navigating both masculine and feminine perspectives, Ade's signature visual language—often described as having "main character energy"—has cemented his footprint across the DMV's creative scene.

Mr. Jones is a multidisciplinary creative professional with international life and work experience. His portfolio features graphic design, illustration, digital art, branding, and dynamic event coverage. Ade has showcased his vibrant artwork at notable regional events, including the Harlem Fine Arts Show and localized showcases like the "Art @ Night" series at Mixt Food Hall in Brentwood, Maryland's Gateway Arts District. 

Dana Todd Pope is an award winning, interdisciplinary artist, curator, author, and gallerist from the South Side of Chicago. Her primary focus is capturing the lessor told stories of hope and resilience within the human experience, often using children as her subjects. Though painting and drawing are her primary areas of exploration, she regularly challenges herself in new mediums to continuously redefine the boundaries of her expression. Documenting cultural treasures is her calling and contribution to the very same pursuit.

Ms. Pope is the VISA She's Next award winning founder of Fearlessly Hue® a kid's room home décor line, sold on Walmart.com and Amazon. Dana is the author of "Know Money, Grow, Money," a children's picture book and the soon to be released children's picture book, "It's the Way You Treat Him." She is the co-founder and CEO of the Women's Live Artist Studio at Navy Pier, a now closed gallery that featured the work of Chicago-based women artists and makers. She's also the recipient of several arts and business grant awards from VISA, Amazon, DePaul University, IFundWomen, Odyssey Media, Black Girl Ventures, The City of Chicago and others.

Dana has worked with several corporate partners including Walgreens, Vitamin Angels, The Design Museum of Chicago, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Metropolitan Family Services, the Better Boys Foundation, Willis Tower Watson, and University of Illinois to name a few. She  has completed artist residencies with the WNDR Museum, Navy Pier Chicago, Pigment INTL and Known Holdings on Martha's Vineyard to name a few. In 2024, Dana was the co-curator and one of eighteen artists exhibiting with Women’s LIVE Artist Studio in the European Cultural Centre Italy's Personal Structures exhibition in Venice, Italy during the 60th Venice Biennale. She is also curator of Giving Her Her Flowers: A Fine Art Portrait Exhibition, a multi-city portraiture exhibition highlighting Black women in the arts. The first installment debuted in Martha's Vineyard August 1-September 27, 2024, then Chicago in February 2025-April 2025, and will travel to eight additional cities in the future.

Dion J. Pollard is a divinely inspired artist who was born in Washington, D.C. and began drawing at the age of 7, but it wasn’t until he turned 13 that he truly honed his skills. One day, inspired by his brother’s drawings from comic books, he decided to explore his own creativity and quickly excelled at drawing, transitioning from reproducing images to creating originals from his imagination with remarkable detail. DionJa’Y is captivated by the texture of oil and acrylic paint, the spontaneity of watercolors and inks, and the rawness of pencils and pastels. He advanced his creative talents during the year he attended the Academy of Art University. The blessings he felt continued to foster his growth and dedication to his creative path.

DionJa’Y paints with the intention of inspiring those who experience his work. He seeks to bring positivity to the world through his art, portraying smiles in places of hurt and happiness amidst destruction. His ambition is to counter negativity with vibrant representations of joy and hope, which is reflected in his avoidance of themes like war and pain. Celebrating life and optimism, DionJa’Y’s style varies, but consistently conveys his unique vision. He frequently exhibits his art at various curated events and is a resident artist at Artstina’tion Gallery at the National Harbor.