DAWA (Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action) is celebrating its 5th anniversary on September 6, at the Long Center in Austin, and they’re pulling out all of their artillery for this event.
This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization honors, celebrates, and empowers the essential work of BIPOC community frontliners through direct financial support and culturally relevant health-centered programming. For five years, DAWA has provided funding and paid opportunities for local artists, creatives, and musicians. Plus, in 2023, they were able to open a 1,100 square foot studio that is free to BIPOC creatives to produce their content, whatever form it may be.
Created by Chaka Mandla and Qi Dada Priestess of Riders Against the Storm, DAWA runs its organization by the mission of “Giving to the Givers”. Being creatives themselves, this married duo knows all too well the struggles and hardships that artists, musicians, etc., face in Austin, especially those of the BIPOC community. So they saw a need and met a need. DAWA now has a board of directors and has distributed over $288,000 to community frontliners, $20,000 to BIPOC-led organizations, over $40,000 in performance fees for Black musicians, and has produced over 1,000 hours of free content.
Now, for the organization’s 5th anniversary, they’re celebrating in style with Laughter is Medicine, a comedy special with headliner Tommy Davidson. Most well known for his roles in In Living Color, The Proud Family, Black Dynamite, Bamboozled, and of course his stand-up comedy, Tommy Davidson has been on the comedy scene since the 80’s and gets funnier by the year. However, don’t try to put this man in a box because he’s more than “just a comedian”.
Tommy Davidson is also an author, voice-actor, producer, and musician. His memoir, “Living in Color: What’s Funny about Me” shares his experience being abandoned as an infant then being adopted and raised by a Caucasian family in Washington, DC during the Civil Rights Movement. Davidson’s music is categorized as smooth jazz, and his latest single, “You Show Me”, is a loving song dedicated to his youngest daughter.
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Hosting the celebration is Joel Boyd. Hailing from Milwaukee, WI, you can catch Joel writing screenplays and performing stand up. You may also recognize him from shows like The Chi, The Many Saints of Newark, or The History of Swear Words (where he was also a writer).
So, save your spot now for Laughter is Medicine. Limited tickets are still available. We also encourage you to learn more about the many efforts of DAWA and support their cause.
DAWA’s 5 Year Anniversary: Laughter is Comedy
Friday, September 6, 2024 7:00 pm
Dell Hall at the Long Center
701 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, Texas 78704
