About The Foundation
The Art in Black Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting fine artists of color across the globe. Guided by the belief that art serves both as a cultural archive and a catalyst for change, the Foundation supports works that illuminate the depth, beauty, and truth of the global Black experience.
Through curated exhibitions, artist showcases, commissions, residencies, and public programs, Art in Black creates meaningful platforms for emerging and established artists to share their work with broader audiences. Our mission is to strengthen cultural connection, expand artistic opportunity, and elevate narratives that affirm the humanity and creative excellence of people of African descent.
Committed to long-term impact, the Foundation fosters visibility, economic empowerment, and cross-cultural understanding—ensuring that fine art remains a powerful tool for storytelling, reflection, and progress.
About The Founders
The Art in Black Foundation was created by a multigenerational team of cultural innovators who envisioned an institution centered on fine art and the global representation of people of color.
Ellis Friday, a visionary young creative with a deep commitment to cultural connection, serves as the Foundation’s Executive Director. He co-founded the organization with his father, Jeff Friday, a long-standing champion of Black artistic excellence and the acclaimed producer behind the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). Jeff’s decades of experience building influential cultural platforms inform the Foundation’s strategic growth and community impact. Together, they established the Art in Black Foundation as an international hub where fine art becomes a pathway to cultural preservation, education, economic mobility, and artistic freedom.
Our Work
The Art in Black Foundation develops programs that elevate fine artists of color, expand cultural access, and foster global understanding through art. Our work spans exhibitions, artist support, creative convenings, and international collaborations—all designed to celebrate the depth and diversity of the Black experience.
Exhibitions & Installations
Showcasing fine art from across the African diaspora.
We present curated exhibitions and installations that introduce emerging and established artists of color to broader audiences, illuminating the creative excellence, cultural narratives, and global perspectives that shape the Black artistic tradition. Our featured initiative, The South African Collective, is a distinguished exhibition curated in partnership with Cur8Africa and presented at the American Black Film Festival, showcasing contemporary South African artists whose work engages themes of identity, history, and cultural expression. This collaboration reflects our commitment to fostering cross-diaspora dialogue and advancing the global presence and impact of fine art by artists of color.
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Artist Advancement
Supporting sustainable creative careers.
We provide artists with opportunities for professional growth through grants, commissions, mentorship, and pathway-building initiatives. Our goal is to expand access, visibility, and economic opportunity for fine artists of color.
Professional Programs & Public Engagement
Connecting communities through art, dialogue, and professional exchange.
The Art in Black Foundation develops and supports a range of professional programs that bring artists, cultural thinkers, collectors, and industry leaders together for meaningful dialogue and exchange. These offerings include artist talks, panels, workshops, seminars, retreats, thought-leadership forums, and community conversations that explore the role of fine art in shaping culture and global understanding. In addition, the Foundation partners with and uplifts select community-driven events—such as the Black Art Empowerment Summit—expanding access to professional development and elevating platforms that advance Black artistic excellence. Through these programs, we cultivate connection, inspire new ideas, and strengthen the networks that support and empower fine artists of color worldwide.
The 2025 South African Collective
Celebrating the visionary voices shaping contemporary South African fine art.
The Art in Black Foundation and Allana Foster Finley of Cur8Africa are proud to highlight the exceptional artists whose work we support and champion through this international exhibition.
Explore the featured artists of the 2025 South African Collective and discover the breadth of their creative vision.
