ART OF THE AGES

A Benefit, Exhibit and Brunch Experience To Preserve Black Art and History

At The Black Canon, we are working to protect, preserve and elevate Black artistry, in its many forms.

We are excited to present our inaugural fundraising event which will serve to educate, inspire and foster community, while concurrently advancing our mission. This experience is designed to bring forward and connect diverse members of the Detroit art community, inclusive of local and diverse entrepreneurs. tastemakers, educators, professionals and supporters, while directly supporting the preservation and archiving of The Black Canon Collection.

(As featured in the Michigan Chronicle)

The Experience included (October 13, 2024):

•Exclusive curated art exhibit (pieces from 1910-1990) from The Black Canon Collection

•Panel Discussion with Emerging Artists

•Silent Auction Access

•Brunch Selections from Premium Taste

•Grazing Table from R&B Charcuterie

•Signature cocktails and Mimosa Bar from Sumptuous Spirits

•Live entertainment from The Rodney Page Experience

Black Art is Worth Preserving

The Black Canon represents one of the largest multi-media collections in the world – that no one knows exists – and without proper preservation, history and proof of a Black renaissance is at risk of being forgotten, lost and even erased. These rare artifacts and their profound cultural significance deserve to be protected and shared.

EMerging Artist Panel DISCUSSION

Moderator: Scheherazade Washington Parrish, Detroit Lit

Scheherazade Washington Parrish is a mother, educator, interdisciplinary artist, writer, muse, and moderator creating art and spaces that facilitate connection. She is the co director of Detroit Lit, a project that supports Black writers.

Panelist: David Ellis, Motown Museum

David Ellis is a dedicated cultural preservationist committed to preserving African American heritage and entertainment through archiving and curation. At the Motown Museum, he is instrumental in maintaining and showcasing the collection of Motown Records related artifacts, including iconic costumes and albums from legendary artists such as The Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and more.

Currently, he supports the Curatorial Department in curating the museum’s 50,000 square foot expansion project. Beyond his work at the Motown Museum, David has collaborated with the Gates Preserve and The Black Canon to inventory the James Wheeler Collection, a vintage collection of African American movie posters and films. Additionally, his efforts with the Detroit Sound Conservancy highlight the rich legacy of the historic Graystone Ballroom. Through his various roles, David Ellis continues to celebrate the profound impact of African American culture and music.

Panelist: Brittney Marshall, My Brown Box

Brittney Marshall is a creative powerhouse and social media strategist who’s worked her magic on the digital presence of iconic brands like Amazon, Pepsi, Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat, and Pandora music. Recently, she stepped into the role of Creative Director for a celebrity-owned spirits brand, bringing her signature flair and fresh ideas to the table.

As the founder of MyBrownBox, a trailblazing media platform and lifestyle brand, Brittney has been a champion for representation and empowerment for Black women.

What started in 2012 as one of the first beauty subscription services for Black women has since blossomed into a vibrant community that celebrates unapologetic self-expression.

Known for her ability to create content that authentically resonates with diverse audiences, Brittney is a sought-after social media strategist, helping brands form meaningful connections with their customers. Her passion for amplifying Black voices

and shaping how brands celebrate Black culture makes her work not just impactful, but incredibly inspiring.

Panelist: Clifton Perry, Aired Out Customs

Clifton Jamaal Perry, a.k.a. Mr. Cliffnote is a multidisciplinary artist from the Midwest who uses graphic illustration, hip-hop, and the fine arts to make sense of the world around him.

After years of making his living and fortifying his creative discipline as a commissioned artist often solicited by municipalities, political dignitaries, and private collectors, Mr. Cliffnote has maintained his connection to hip-hop as his preferred form of expression.

In 2013, Mr. Cliffnote released the immersive experience: Path to Notification. The experience included an album and comic book that detailed the political and social commentary that Mr. Cliffnote had been reflecting on at the moment. The follow-up to the project continues Path to Notification and features a special series of comic books paired with each single on the project both to be released as a full project and graphic novel at the end of the series. It will be released exclusively at www.mrcliffnote.com, Mr. Cliffnote's digital storefront for his art, music, comedy, and other creative wares.

Panelist: Miles Reuben, filmTOY Studios

Miles Reuben is an award-winning independent filmmaker, screenwriter, cultural strategist and graphic designer. Growing up in Detroit, Miles is inspired by his forever changing city - from its past roots to the potential future. He combines his observations of his environment and the diverse people of the city of Detroit, MI with his admiration of black artistry of all forms, science fiction, comic books, and early 2000’s Cartoon Network’s Toonami shows, all while centering his work through the lens of blackness.

Believing that Black stories are universal, and that they can translate to all people in multiple genres and forms of expression, Miles creates narrative films that provide humanity to those who exist on the intersection of blackness, queerness, spirituality, etc. Deeming himself a modern-day “Renaissance Man” - Miles chooses to expand his reach outside of just filmmaking, striving to create lived-in experiences that build community, culture and spark conversation.