EMANCIPATE: About

ABOUT EMANCIPATE

EMANCIPATE is an initiative led by women musicians who are activists in their communities with the goal of solidarity, amplification of social justice issues and collaboration towards solutions. We use song as a tool for organizing in communities around the country.

The New Orleans Project is EMANCIPATE's pilot project, addressing the ongoing struggle to return and rebuild in New Orleans nearly three years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. EMANCIPATE's Founding Artists - Cris Williamson, Sunni Patterson, Vicki Randle, Asia Rainey, Alix Olson, Pamela Means, and GaBrilla Ballard - are supporting the ongoing work of grassroots organizations in the region.

In the next 18 months EMANCIPATE will:

1. Record a CD in New Orleans with all seven Founding Artists, the proceeds of which will be committed entirely to our New Orleans Partners - six grassroots organizations that are working with a variety of populations.

2. Introduce a new website, which will profile our New Orleans Partners and offer varied and accessible ways to donate resources, as well as concrete ways to join rebuilding and organizing efforts on the ground.

3. Launch a national tour with our Founding Artists to continue to amplify the stories of grassroots organizing in New Orleans and to generate ongoing funds to our New Orleans Partners through CD sales.

EMANCIPATE has created a new model of organizing - using artistic expression to disseminate information about a community in profound need, as well as generating tangible support for that community.

It is clear that when movements for social change grow in size and energy, and enter the public imagination in a significant way, song plays a crucial role. There are, and always have been, artists who bring their talent to a global perspective. EMANCIPATE aims to provide an organized, coherent and sustainable place from which to build on and significantly expand a base of solidarity and action.

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Olivia Greer - Artistic Director

Olivia founded EMANCIPATE as an intersecting point between her work as a musician and activist. She is a singer & songwriter, as well as an experienced consultant in development, strategy and communications in arts, foundation and social justice organizations. Olivia is an Associate Producer at NY theater company Culture Project, where she is the Artistic Director of their annual Women Center Stage festival and produces additional programming that incorporates activism and multidisciplinary art forms. She has worked as an activist in labor, civil rights and other struggles, and as a writer and journalist - co-authoring Actions Speak Louder Than Bumper Stickers, released by Nation Books in fall 2006, and contributing articles to Alternet and openDemocracy.

Julia Rhodes Davis - Producing Director

Julia Rhodes Davis began her production career working on documentary films, before shifting her focus to producing experiential marketing events. Rhodes Davis worked on national and international tours and events for clients like Mercedes-Benz, International Watch Company, Dyson, GQ Magazine and others. After several years in the corporate event industry, she decided to take what she had learned about creating unique, memorable productions in a new direction, focusing on non-profit and grassroots organizations. Since 2005, Rhodes Davis has produced successful fundraising and program events, including Peace is Possible, a benefit for Face to Face/Faith to Faith, an international, multifaith youth leadership program; Auburn Seminary's Lives of Commitment Awards Breakfast, a celebration of women of faith working for peace and justice; and EMANCIPATE, an ongoing project bringing together artists and activists to promote social justice. Rhodes Davis brings to her work a strong background in production and logistics management and organizational development, as well as a sense of passion, integrity and warmth.