Join AAC’s The Greenhouse

A mentorship experience rooted in care and collective growth for BIPOC arts leaders

AAC’s first mentorship cohort in 2016 was my introduction to this community—and I truly can’t imagine where I’d be without it. I joined at a time when I was searching for deeper purpose in my work, and I found nurturing support from a community of peers and leaders who truly understood me. Folx who shared my values, challenged me to grow, and pushed me to think differently.

Many had weathered the storms of this sector and were still leading with purpose. Others, like me, were navigating their leadership journeys and just starting to find their footing. That first cohort gave me space to reflect, encouragement to trust myself, and people who believed in me. It led me to pursue a Master’s in Arts Management, shift from philanthropy into a full-time arts career, and eventually join AAC’s founding board.

I’ll always be thankful to AAC’s co-founders, Quanice Floyd and Ariel Shelton, for launching this program as AAC’s very first offering—and to my inaugural mentor, Pam Breaux, and peer mentee, Tiffany Townsend, who made the experience so memorable and transformative. I’m lucky to still be in community with them nearly a decade later.

As Interim Executive Director, I’m excited to bring this program back—refreshed and reimagined for this moment. The Greenhouse is the space I wish every BIPOC arts leader could access: relational, rooted in care, and built for intentional growth.

This new chapter reflects years of listening, dreaming, and learning from our past cohorts. I’m deeply appreciative of Smarani Komanduri, our Program Coordinator, and Joshua Jenkins, founding board member and Communications Consultant, for shaping this phase with creativity and love.

To every mentor, mentee, and past participant—thank you. You helped bring this new version to life.

Let’s keep growing—together.
Erika Hawthorne
Interim Executive Director
Arts Administrators of Color Network