“…a warrior for social justice, a warm and generous servant who devoted her life to bettering the lives of others, and an unbelievable friend.”
President Barack Obama, 2016
Cassandra Q. Butts Arts Education Project & Memorial Fund
The Cassandra Q. Butts (CQB) Arts Education Project & Memorial Fund honors Cassandra Quin Butts, a DC resident and former advisor to President Barack Obama. She also served as Deputy White House Counsel in the first Obama Administration, Advisor to the US Mission to the United Nations, Legislative Advisor, Civil and Human Rights Attorney, Exceptional Aunt, Amazing Daughter, Sister, Friend and a Former YMCA Camp Counselor.
The CQB Arts Education Project & Memorial Fund encourages the arts as a means to help young people speak their truths, reflect their beauty, and influence the world around them. Through the Y-ARTS Project and the Y Power Scholars ARTS Academy, youth will experience art as expression, exploration, and sustenance. The primary focus of the Y-ARTS will be visual arts including but not limited to, architecture, ceramics, drawing, fashion, graphic design, illustration, animation, interior design, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, sketching, filmmaking, video production, and other decorative arts.
Please help to continue the enduring legacy of Cassandra Q. Butts and her vision of art as a public vehicle to empower everyone to advance social and democratic development. Your gift will provide specialized art education and enrichment opportunities for students enrolled in the YMCA out-of-school programs.
GOALS
- Provide arts education and enrichment to elementary and secondary level school students in the District of Columbia with a special emphasis on students in Wards 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8.
- Celebrate artists such as DC native Elizabeth Catlett and her vision of art as a public vehicle to empower ordinary people and advance social and democratic development.
- Promote the enduring legacy of Cassandra Q. Butts, a gifted and compassionate humanitarian, activist, public servant, and artist.
Elements include art classes, young artists’ exhibitions, gallery opportunities, scholarships and more.
