Creating Art Communities that will Make an Impact with Najee Dorsey of BAIA

Visual artist and entrepreneur Najee Dorsey is known for embracing southern roots in his work by relaying scenes of African American life in the south on canvas. He began his journey as an artist at the age of five, selling his artwork to his mother for candy. From that point on, Dorsey continued making art as a favorite pastime.  In his work, as Najee chronicles moments in Black life throughout history, he maintains that “stories untold are stories forgotten”. 

 

Far from the days after dropping out of art college, and becoming uncertain about his future in the arts, Najee has forged a successful career as an artist, being featured in numerous solo and group museum shows, television broadcasts, and print publications. As well as these accomplishments, he has skillfully combined his creative edge, and business acumen to develop a steadily growing online community that documents, preserves and promotes the contributions of the African American arts community. 

 

Let’s tune in to his story!

 

[00:01 - 07:07] Opening Segment

 

• The Poor People’s Campaign
• A children-centered campaign that brings conversation on environmental racism and injustice
• The connection of the Poor People’s Campaign with the Civil Rights Campaign

 

[07:08 - 17:55] Black Art in America

 

• BAIA: A community and resource in one
• How BAIA has grown and created its own culture and impact in the art community and society
• There’s a space for everybody in black art
• Creating legacies, leaving an impact to the world 

 

[17:56 - 29:34]  Building Art Communities and Leaving an Impact

 

• Tangible level community building
• Najee’s vision for BAIA’s headquarters
• Building Communities for Black Artists
• Utilizing space and bringing more culture in America
• Participative theaters and galleries 
• Coming Soon for BAIA: School Arts Education 
• Walking around the neighborhood and engaging with people on the ground

 

[29:35 - 38:00] The Creative Economy

 

• Najee remembers creative spaces during his childhood
• The Art in Najee’s Home
• Why commerce kills creativity
• Widen your lens and look at people from another perspective

 

[38:01 - 45:01] Closing Segment

 

• Najee shares how to support artists of color
• Challenges in the organizational side 

 

Connect with Najee through Instagram.  Visit Black Art in America or you can also go to his personal website and be a part of our mission of documenting, preserving, and promoting the contributions of the African American arts community.

Thanks for tuning in!  

 

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People Mentioned

 

• Dr. Dean Kane
• Margaret Burroughs
• Joyce Owens
• Kevin Cole

 

Tweetable Quotes

 

“As an artist, there are times where we have to lend our creative energy to something that could be so much more impactful or bring attention to an area that needs so much attention.” - Najee Dorsey

 

“People want to create and they want to be supported. And so part of that has to do with what the artist may naturally be interested in.” - Najee Dorsey

 

“If we could find more ways to be more giving, more loving, and more supportive, it doesn't take big things all the time to do that.  That's how we build, that's how we grow. That's how we share and can love on each other and build a community that we all can be proud of want to be a part of.” - Najee Dorsey