Black Women and Art (@ blackwomenandart ) • Instagram photos and videos

Hi! My name is Shanyah Mark. I am passionate about social impact, wellness and designing therapeutic environments that not only look good, but feel good. My journey to becoming a creative began as a result of my experience with chronic burn-out, anti-Black racism and discrimination as an educator within Canada’s public education system. I began to experience mental health challenges and was diagnosed with depression in 2023. It was during this time that I became passionate about advocating for and designing third spaces that are safe and affirming for Black, Indigenous, Women of Colour. In March of 2024, I founded Black Women and Art and curated my first event ‘Black Canadian Women and Art: A Celebration’. Being in community with women that looked like me and also had the same lived experiences as me were integral to my healing, mental health, and wellness journey.

Shanyah Mark - Imagination Fund Proposal

Black Canadian Women and Art: A Celebration was a 3-hour free event that I curated for Black Women interested in pursuing creative entrepreneurship during International Women’s Month 2024. The event featured a creators panel discussion, a floral arrangement workshop, refreshments and an opportunity for Black Women to network.I began selling tickets 2 weeks before the event. 100% of the tickets sold out within 24 hours.$4,000 of grant funding were invested into BIPOC vendors and businesses working the event.Our social media following and engagement increased by 42% within 8 weeks of curating the event demonstrating a desire and growing market for Black, Indigenous, Women and Colour to have affinity spaces whether digital or physical to be in community with one another.

Shanyah Mark - Imagination Fund Proposal

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Shanyah Mark - Imagination Fund Proposal

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