A Weekend Rooted in Care, Rising in Joy
We are still filled with gratitude and awe after our first-ever West Coast Convening, Rooted in Care, Rising in Joy, held November 8–9 in Los Angeles.
Over two powerful days, 200 artists, administrators, educators, and culture bearers of the global majority from across the country came together to reflect and connect. We gathered not only to share ideas, but to restore ourselves and each other and to remember what it feels like to create from a place of abundance.
This convening wasn’t just an event, it was a collective exhale. A homecoming. A reminder that when we center care and joy, we reclaim our power to build the world we deserve.
A Note from Erika
When planning this convening, I was carrying a lot: the pressure of the world and the heaviness of the crises our communities continue to endure. From natural disasters and political turmoil to genocide and state violence, this has been a heavy, disorienting year.
When I reflected on what our community most needed, I knew we had to create space to be rooted in care and to center joy as an act of resistance in a world that too often seeks to deplete us. I wanted to bring together both longtime and new members of our AAC family and design an experience where we, as arts administrators, could slow down, connect in meaningful ways, and show up as our full selves without the weight of performative professionalism.
In true AAC fashion, I wanted to create a space for us, by us; where our spirits could rest, our laughter could flow, and our presence could be enough.
This year, we awarded 54 scholarships to community members who needed registration support. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we offered free and reduced-rate tickets through our tiered pricing model, ensuring that access was less of a barrier to participation. Of the over 200 attendees, 129 expressed that this was their first time at an AAC convening.
As a small nonprofit with one full-time staff member, one part-time communications consultant, one accountant, and a student contractor,this convening was made possible through collective energy, trust, and partnership. It grew far beyond what one person or one organization could ever hold alone.
I am so proud of our community, how we make a way out of no way, how we move through challenges with creativity and care, and how we continue to find joy even when the world tells us not to.
Our work requires real relationships. It requires time. It requires trust.
As our keynote, Amber Hamilton, reminded us: it’s our job to become good ancestors. And as CONTRA-TIEMPO so beautifully showed us through movement: collective joy can be healing for the soul and nourishment for the spirit.
A Slow, Deep, Intentional Practice
Slow. Deep. Intentional. Amber Hamilton reminded us that's the only way to do this work. While I may be a full-time staff of just one, this gathering reminded me (and all of us) that none of us are alone, and none of us should ever approach this work alone.
My hope was to create a small pocket of joy for our community where people could truly connect. A space where you could leave not just with business cards, but with real relationships that you can nurture long after our time together. A space that felt like home, where your shoulders could drop for a moment, and you could know that everyone in the room was rooting for your growth and well-being.
You are the reason I do this work. And I know our work together is only just beginning.
I am deeply grateful for every single person and organization that helped make this convening possible. I am full, inspired, and ready to enter our next season of action—to uplift, connect, and support people of the global majority in the arts.
Stay tuned for all the ways you can tap into our network, engage with our programs, and help co-create what comes next as we continue to nurture connection, solidarity, and the collective action needed to build the future we deserve.
Within systems designed to keep us stressed, divided, and disconnected, our joy—and our commitment to one another—is still revolutionary.
With love and deep gratitude,
Erika Hawthorne
Interim Executive Director
Arts Administrators of Color Network
Watch the 2025 Convening Recap Video
Thank You to Everyone Who Made This Convening Possible
This convening was powered by a vast community of believers.
To our attendees—thank you for showing up with openness, laughter, and care.
To our speakers, facilitators, and performers—thank you for your brilliance and generosity of spirit.
To our volunteers and staff—thank you for embodying community care in every moment.
To our funders, sponsors, and partners—thank you for investing in equity and collective joy.
Learn More: Speakers and Performers
Convening Co-Host: Creative West Leaders of Color Network Program
We are deeply grateful to our convening co-host, Creative West’s Leaders of Color Network Program, whose partnership and leadership helped shape this gathering from start to finish. As the home of the Leaders of Color Network, Creative West brought invaluable vision and support, helping us build a convening rooted in collaboration and collective power.
Our heartfelt thanks to Anika Tené (Director of Grants, Awards, and Programs), Josh Ellis (Grants, Awards, and Programs Manager), and Marcelina Ramirez (Grants, Awards, and Programs Coordinator), and to the full Creative West team for your support amplifying this gathering. We truly could not have done this without you — your partnership, trust, and commitment to nurturing arts leaders made this convening possible.
Our Sponsors & Supporters
This convening was made possible through the generosity and belief of our sponsors and partners who share our commitment to building an equitable arts and culture sector:
American University
Arts Fund
Amalgamated Bank
Deliasofia Zacarias
The Wallace Foundation
Thank you for believing in the power of community, care, and creativity—and for helping us bring this gathering to life.
You’re the Artists and Arts Administrators Who Led This Weekend
Every performance, session, and conversation throughout the weekend was shaped by the artists and arts administrators who showed up to lead, teach, and hold space for one another.
From the opening song by Deon Jones, whose powerful, joy-filled performance set the tone for the weekend, to the hands-on workshops and site visits that connected us to L.A.’s cultural landscape—you were the heartbeat of this convening.
Special love to our two powerhouse keynotes:
Amber Hamilton, who grounded us with truth, humor, and fierce wisdom about what it means to lead with integrity and care.
CONTRA-TIEMPO, whose movement reminded us that joy, rest, and resistance are inseparable.
Carmen Morgan, who helped us reflect and ground ourselves Sunday morning.
We are endlessly grateful to the speakers, facilitators, DJs, and site hosts who co-created this weekend of connection and creativity.
Venues & Site Visit Hosts
Nate Holden Performing Arts Center / Ebony Repertory Theatre
Blackbird Collective
California African American Museum (CAAM)
Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC)
Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Chinese American Museum (CAM)
Museum of Social Justice (MoSJ)
Blackbird Collective: Our Experience Partner
A very special thank you to Blackbird Collective, who served as our Experience Partner, shaping the warmth, design, and spirit of the convening. From the beautiful lounge environments and A/V coordination to catering support and countless final touches, your care helped us create a space that truly felt like home.
Our deepest gratitude to the Blackbird team: Bridgid Coulter Cheadle (Founder & CEO), Daria Brown (VP, Business Development and Strategic Initiative), Jessica Henry Tillman (Event Manager Consultant), E. Donisha Brown (Events and Community Concierge), Ariana Robinson, Joe Bulluck, and Leanna Crouse.
Production & Hospitality Teams
Nearly every dollar invested in this convening went directly to BIPOC artists, administrators, vendors, and organizations—from the catering and venues to the water bottles. This was intentional. Our values guided every choice, ensuring this event not only celebrated our community but also reinvested in it.
Catering: Denice Mendez & the Moderna Cocina team
Aqua Equity: Eco-friendly Bottled Water
DJ: deesco (@deescotheque)
Bartenders: Smile Bartending
Global Concierge: Blanca & Team
Furniture Set-Up: Esmerelda Moving & Team
Audio & Tech: Los Angeles Audio Rental (Alfredo, James & team) & Audio Visual West
Event Rentals: Del Rey Party Rentals — linens, umbrellas & shade
Security: Aldric & Luiz
Nate Holden Performing Arts Center & Ebony Rep Teams!
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Team!
Vendor Fair
Our closing celebration at LA Plaza featured Indigenous and local vendors curated in partnership with The Chapter House whose work and presence grounded the weekend in artistry, heritage, and connection:
LUZ Collection – Chantale Doyle Breceda (luzcollection.com)
2ndwnd – Manny Torres (2ndwnd.bigcartel.com)
Juniper Breez – Desiree Belone (juniperbreez.com)
Creative West (wearecreativewest.org/grants-awards)
Our Volunteers & Core Team
We are so deeply grateful to our volunteers who showed up with care and helped guide guests throughout every part of the experience. Your leadership, calm, and community-minded energy made this convening run seamlessly.
Andrea Gerald, Camille Kashaka (Board Treasurer), Candace Cox, Corrie Watrs, Desiree Lestr, Destiny Bugg, Nafeesah Symonette, Skye Lawrence, Sofia Treviño, and Stacey Williams (Board Co-Chair) and many others—thank you.
Special thanks to our convening co-hosts Anika Tené (Creative West) and Deliasofia Zacarias for your shared vision, joy, and partnership throughout this process.
To every attendee, speaker, volunteer, and supporter—thank you for helping us create something beautiful, bold, and restorative.
A huge shout out to our amazing photographer, Des Lee, and photographer/videographer, Rawyan for capturing the memories!
Convening Photos
Check out all for the amazing photos taken by our two wonderful photographers (Des Lee and Rawyan) during our time together in Los Angeles!
Convening Playlist
Keep the vibes going with our Rooted in Care, Rising in Joy Playlist! This playlist was powered by our Convening attendees to soundtrack this moment.