For Riders Against the Storm‘s Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone, the foundation of Austin nonprofit DAWA (Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action) is deeply rooted in his own experiences of survival, and his immense gratitude for having a community network supporting him and helping him move toward a better future. This is the thinking behind DAWA’s design: Empowering artists and front line workers of color through direct financial support and culturally-relevant health-centered programming, acting as a stepping stone toward long-term life improvement.
For nearly a year, DAWA has been working on DAWA Studios, a space for BIPOC artists and grassroots organizations to produce high-quality media content. To help complete the project, DAWA organized the DAWA 50K Glow Up livestream (that’s “fifty K,” and not “501 K,” as your AMM host erroneously stated previously…), a gargantuan fundraising event featuring what is essentially an incredible Austin all-star line-up, including: Mobley, Sir Woman, former Austinite Tameca Jones, Chakeeta B, Magna Carda, Pleasure Venom, Jackie Venson, JaRon Marshall + The Collective (featured on today’s AMM), KUTX September Artist of the Month Moody Bank$, Nnedi Agbaroji (Trouble In the Streets), Shakey Graves, Tribe Mafia, J Soulja, Honey Son, Mike Melinoe, Graham Wilkinson…and it doesn’t stop there!
Gather up for the Glow Up, starting at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday Sept. 18, on YouTube and Facebook.
