David Driskell was dedicated to expanding the field of Black art and mentoring artists, historians, and community leaders. He was also an avid gardener who loved the outdoors.
Here are some Black-led organizations in Maine and New England that support areas of Driskell's interests and advocacy.
Atlantic Black Box
Atlantic Black Box researches and reckons with New England’s role in the global economy of enslavement. www.atlanticblackbox.com
Black Owned Maine
Black Owned Maine aims to support and bring awareness to the numerous Black and Brown organizations in Maine, including businesses, artists, non-profits, and entrepreneurs. www.blackownedmaine.com
Hinge Collaborative, Photo Credit: Sean Alonzo Harris
Co-Lab Create
Co-Lab Create is a BIPOC-led space for arts and creativity that supports and promotes the art of people of color, indigenous, and LGBTQ+ folks across our region. www.colabcreate.space
Coded by Young Women of Color (CYWOC)
CYWOC promotes portfolio and career development including paid internships and job opportunities with local development firms starting with Portland, ME. www.cywoc.org
The For Us, By Us Fund
The For Us, By Us Fund provides grants for BIPOC-led projects, BIPOC organizers, and personal grants for folks in need of financial support or mutual aid. www.fubufund.org
Hinge Collaborative
Hinge Collaborative is a community arts initiative and printmaking studio that provides workspace and development for artists. www.hingecollaborative.com
Racial Equity and Justice Maine
In Her Presence
In Her Presence is created by and for women from a minority community in Maine, and hosts English language classes and educational workshops to provide a platform for Maine immigrant women to better integrate and succeed here in Maine. www.inherpresence.org
Indigo Arts Alliance
Indigo Arts Alliance builds global connections by bringing together Black and Brown artists from diverse backgrounds to engage in their creative process with an opportunity to serve as both mentors and mentees. www.indigoartsalliance.me
Liberation Farms
Liberation Farms provides new American farmers access to, and culturally-appropriate resources for, the means of sustainable food production for themselves, their families, and their communities. www.somalibantumaine.org/liberation-farms
Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition is the convener of a unique, statewide network of 77 organizations, a majority of which are led by people of color – representing diverse ethnic communities across our state working to create and support programs and policies that promote immigrant inclusion and integration. www.maineimmigrantrights.org
Museum of African Arts and Culture
Museum of African Arts and Culture offers a wide range of exciting, informative and interactive public programs that give unique insights into African Art and Culture. www.museumofafricanculture.org
New Roots Cooperative Farm
New Roots Cooperative Farm builds economic security for New Americans by providing delicious vegetables for our community. www.newrootscooperativefarm.com
Soul Fire Farm
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro is a community that reconnects African-Americans with natural spaces and one another through recreational activities such as camping, hiking, biking, birding, fishing, gardening, skiing — and more. www.outdoorafro.com
The Portland Freedom Trail
The Portland Freedom Trail is a self-guided tour through some of Portland’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods. The Trail will take you to important sites in African American history, specifically those dealing with 19th-century Black Mainers who stood in the vanguard of the fight against slavery. www.mainehistory.org/PDF/walkingtourmap.pdf
Racial Equity and Justice Maine
Racial Equity and Justice Maine provides support for all communities across the nation through consulting, education, advocacy, and solution based action plans in order to better equip individuals, organizations, businesses, and institutions to tackle racial justice issues. www.racialequityandjustice.org
Rise and Shine Youth Retreats
Rise and Shine Youth Retreats highlights the voices and responds to the emotional needs, creativity and well-being of Black, Brown, and Indigenous youth through outdoor programs and the therapeutic benefits of nature. www.riseandshineyouthretreat.wordpress.com
Somali Bantu Community Association
Somali Bantu Community Association provides vital transitional services, advocacy, and food production that empowers members of the refugee community to uphold cultural identity and economic well-being to thrive in their new life here in Maine. www.somalibantumaine.org
The Third Place
Soul Fire Farm
Soul Fire Farm is an Afro-Indigenous centered community farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system. www.soulfirefarm.org
The Third Place
The Third Place is an organizational collaborative and co-working space designed to build community capacity through collective work and cooperative economics for entrepreneurs, community builders, and professionals of African descent. www.thethirdplace.me