Artist, Mario Benjamin, courtesy of, Robert Dressen

As descendants of displaced Africans brought to America against their will, we have gathered information since birth, mimicking aspects of those closest to us, and our environment. Inundated with that data after leaving the womb, we unconsciously allow the information to define our placement within the predominately White institution of the United States, which we have been programmed intentionally/unintentionally into believing we are less-than by the color of our skin, identifying us as descendants of slaves. Case in point: During the early 1900s, the aesthetics of traditional African sculpture became a powerful influence among White European artists who formed an avant-garde in the development of modern art. In France, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and their School of Paris friends blended the highly stylized treatment of the human figure in African sculptures with painting styles derived from the post-impressionist works of Edouard Manet, Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin. (Denise Murrell, The Met, April 2008)

Yet the actual African artists who inspired the legendary White Western European artists' whose paintings and sculptures (Alberto Giacometti) sell for millions received no acknowledgement or acclaim. Ironically their art has little to no value. In short, when a White individual makes Black art it is considered a masterpiece, when a Black indigenous person of color makes art it is simply considered ethnic. Black art/artists must first matter within the Black community, before we can command what we feel we deserve from members outside of our demographic. This means we must band together and pull ourselves up with likeminded individuals, institutions, and corporations interested in enriching society with our art. 

The days of white American corporations selectively appropriating, owning and controlling how African American and Pan-African art, is perceived globally must be recalibrated. 

Black Art Matters™ will raise consciousness within the African American, Afro-Latin American, and Pan-African community in America through art; to raise the awareness of its contribution and impact in the arts on the global stage.

"Black lives must first matter within the Black community, before our lives can matter to those outside of our demographic."

A subject not talked about within the African American community, is at what cost the perpetuation, and personification of specific Black stereotypes in media has had on our demographic in the name of achieving elusive "Success". Many young Black minds equate the accumulation of financial wealth, and material possessions with "Making-it". Ignoring the question of whether or not the "art" associated with that wealth has contributed positively or negatively to our demographic and society.

Black Art Matters™ aims to inspire young artists to strive to make positive contributions to the arts, by learning to tap into each artist's unique life experience, in order for the audience to experience a shared humanity. In doing so, art associated with the Black Art Matters™' organization will be of high value, attracting sponsors and partners, thus attracting renowned artist wanting to be associated the movement; forcing members outside the African American, Afro-Latin American, and Pan-African demographic to see why, Black Art Matters™.

Black Art Matters™ is an organization, which with its sponsors, and strategic partners, will facilitate academic scholarships, training, and mentorship to members of its underserved Black democratic seeking education, and employment opportunities in media and the arts.

As descendants of displaced Africans brought to America against their will, we have gathered information since birth, mimicking aspects of those closest to us, and our environment. Inundated with that data after leaving the womb, we unconsciously allow the information to define our placement within the predominately White institution of the United States, which we have been programmed intentionally/unintentionally into believing we are less-than by the color of our skin, identifying us as descendants of slaves. Case in point: An educated individual has been taught in school that during the early 1900s, the aesthetics of traditional African sculpture became a powerful influence among White European artists who formed an avant-garde in the development of modern art. In France, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and their School of Paris friends blended the highly stylized treatment of the human figure in African sculptures with painting styles derived from the post-impressionist works of Edouard Manet, Paul Cézanne and Paul Gauguin. Yet the actual African artists who inspired the legendary White Western European artists' whose paintings and sculptures (Alberto Giacometti) sell for millions received no acknowledgement or acclaim. Ironically their art has little to no value. In short, when a White individual makes Black art it is considered a masterpiece, when a Black indigenous person of color makes art it is simply considered ethnic. Black art/artists must first matter within the Black community, before we can command what we feel we deserve from members outside of our demographic. This means we must band together and pull ourselves up with likeminded individuals, institutions, and corporations interested in enriching society with our art. 

EVERETT KELSEY created Black Art Matters™ after coming to the realization of how he had been programed since birth into believing specific principles, emphasized through media, which when followed dictate our placement in the United States of America as African Americans.

As important as it is to educate about the atrocities of slavery, it is as vital to educate, and celebrate the accomplishments African Americans, and Afro-Latin Americans have made in the United States of America.

Because our history of being enslaved has been more reinforced than the amazing achievements many African Americans have made, many of us live in a mental prison believing we are, "Less Than".

Black Art Matters™ agrees "All Art Matters", in the sense, "All Children Matter". Qualifying this by adding, "If a person were to observe a group of children beating a child, the child receiving the abuse would be in need of help."

Hearing, "All Lives Matter" the first time in response to the slogan, "Black Lives Matter", was extremely profound for founder, Everett Kelsey, of BLKMKT Media who believes saying, "All Lives Matter", is an attempt to neutralize, or mute the slogan, "Black Lives Matter", and erase the American history behind the phrase Activist Alicia Garza coined in her Facebook post in 2013.