Bringing BIPOC Artists and theatres together in solidarity

"The artist must elect to fight for Freedom or for Slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative." 

~Paul Robeson, Here I Stand

For the first time in history the COVID-19 pandemic slowed the world down to collectively watch the brutal and unjust murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. Since his death, more Black men and women have been racially targeted, lynched, and killed while being detained by the police. 

Racism is the original pandemic that has historically gone through many different treatments but has had no real resolution. As a result, the reality of our current state of affairs globally, in response to racism, has awoken many to the depth of the pain and trauma of many of our BIPOC brothers and sisters at the hands of vigilante justice, police brutality, and modern-day lynchings.

The awakening has sparked protests across the globe, calls to defund the police, and demands for equitable treatment in every facet of life. Many have positioned themselves as “allies,” asking “How can I help?” “What can I do?” “What’s next?”

Founder and creator, Tré Cotten, MFA, is a Black and Indigenous man from North Carolina. He created the Stand By Me Project in response as an artist to the theatres and his community. It’s a call to action in response to the overwhelming interest of allies to get involved. 

There is an urgency to create real and lasting change in the theatre community alongside BIPOC men and women. There is a call to action to stand in solidarity as a promise and pledge to support each other through creative works to begin the healing.

We need ALL of you to support, educate, reinvent broken systems, promote healing and understanding, uphold brave spaces, and create art.

Most of all, we need to bring BIPOC Artists and theatres together in solidarity and love, through action and accountability, and through the pledges and commitment. 

Will you join us to begin the healing?