By Sonya Bernard-Hollins, publisher
Community Voices
editor@comvoicesonline.com
*Headline photo from left, Black Arts and Cultural Center board member Kevin Lavender, Jr., Yolonda “Yogi” Lavender and Sid Ellis. Lavender will take over the BACC in the interim while a replacement for Ellis is sought. Details to come. Photo from the Facebook page of Yolonda Lavender.
KALAMAZOO (MICH.)– The Black Arts & Cultural Center (BACC) announces that Executive Director Sid Ellis will leave the organization effective May 9, 2014. According to information sent to Community Voices by BACC Board President Buddy Hannah (also a column writer for Community Voices) Ellis has take on a new position as executive director with Colleague International in Kalamazoo.
“The BACC will begin its search for a new director immediately,” Hannah states. “During their search period BACC board member Yolonda Lavender will serve as interim director.”
Ellis’ history with the BACC has been a long one. He has served as a volunteer for the organization, board member and even performer at BACC festivals and plays for more than 20 years before becoming its first full-time paid executive director six years ago. During his leadership the organization has presented the annual Black and White Ball fundraising event which honors community leaders in the arts. Past recipients include James Palmore, Von Washington Sr. and Buddy Hannah.
“The Black Arts and Cultural Center has always been a catalyst for my growth and development as an artist,” Ellis said. “The opportunities that BACC offers to our local school aged students and the general public in the South West Michigan area to see, hear and participate hands on in this talented community of artist will continue to grow with young leaders like Yolonda Lavendar. I appreciate my time as the executive director of BACC and thank the community in advance for their continued support of this great organization.”
Ellis has provided opportunities for students to benefit from African-American history programs and a drumline music class he directs in collaboration with area schools. During his service to BACC, he also developed unique partnerships with other arts programs to bring areas of culture and art to students. Angela Graham-Williams, founder of AGW Conservatory, has collaborated with the BACC to provide scholarships for inner-city girls in Kalamazoo to experience ballet, tap, jazz and other dance genres. The Merze Tate Travel Club also partnered with BACC in 2013 for their 1st Annual Tate-Stone Travel Writers Academy on the campus of Kalamazoo College.
Before his stint with BACC, many knew of Sid “The Rock” Ellis from his popular puppet presentations and his role as actor in many area productions. He has portrayed the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the play, “The Meeting,” with Hannah portraying Malcolm X. Ellis has also performed in the movie, The Dread, filmed on the campus of Western Michigan University. The native of Detroit came to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University. He eventually graduated from Davenport College and went on to work as an operator for AT&T before working at Lakeside Home for Boys and Girls. He later earned a degree in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University.
His love of performing was ignited after Pastor Joel Brooks Jr. (his pastor at Christian Life Center) inspired him to write and produce his own works. Ellis went on to produce his own Public Media Network show, Try God’s Love (then Community Access Center) which ran from 1988-98. In addition he picked up the love for camera operating and went on to operate the cameras for his church.
Ellis will now take a position with Colleague International. According to the organization’s website they are “Kalamazoo region’s leading international organization, linking businesses and institutions with hundreds of rising and established leaders. We are a volunteer-based citizen diplomacy organization and part of a network of volunteers that was nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.” Learn more at http://colleaguesinternational.org/
Lavender is excited for the opportunity to take the helm of the decades-old arts organization which is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of African Americans by bringing quality cultural programs that educate and entertain the community.
“This position fits perfectly with who I am as an advocate of arts, culture and community,” said Lavender. “As a native of Kalamazoo, I can remember attending the Black Arts Festival as a child. Now, being able to serve in this position is a full-circle moment that also ties in the extensive work and volunteering I’ve done with nonprofits in Kalamazoo. I’m grateful for this opportunity to continue serving and giving back to the community that has raised me.”
*Stay tuned for more updates/comments from Ellis and the search for a new director as search begins.
About BACC
The Black Arts and Cultural Center was founded in 1990 after the success of the first Black Arts Festival was produced in 1986. Flint native Bertha Barbee-McNeal approached several Kalamazoo residents about creating the festival after seeing a similar festival in her hometown. The (now retired Kalamazoo Public School music teacher and member of the Motown group, Velvelettes) ignited the interest of local artists James Palmore, Lois Jackson and Gail Sydnor. Together they formally organized the Black Arts and Cultural Committee which would evolve into what we know today as the Black Arts and Cultural Center.
