Mallory-Artese Grants
Here and Ready is excited to introduce our 2023 winners of The Mallory-Artese Grants for Black Actress Excellence
The Mallory-Artese Grants for Black Actress Excellence
Named to honor American social justice leader and movement strategist Tamika D. Mallory and American actress, dancer and Here and Ready member Donielle Artese, the grant provides yet another opportunity for our Black actress community to shine. In their moving submissions, our winners shared their commitment to the craft of acting and how that commitment has influenced their creative choices and civic engagement. Most importantly, they identified a clear plan on how The Mallory-Artese Grants for Black Actress Excellence would keep them moving toward their goals.
“The goal is to move the masses. We should always be willing to do that.”
Financially empower members
During the selection process, the Here and Ready team was motivated to seek out more ways to financially empower and directly showcase their members. This is a career that demands longevity for those who can afford it, and assistance at any level can help a performer stick with their chosen path.
“I hope this BLESSES the recipients beyond measure…that this puts them on the path of great, lifelong success.”
Networking for Black actresses
Here and Ready is a nationwide networking collective and resource group exclusively for Black actresses. Started in 2019, Here and Ready celebrates a spirit of community over competition supporting more than 1,300 members through enrichment seminars, casting director workshops and valuable facetime with industry professionals.
“The business of acting is expensive, and even after school it takes a lot to get started in the business or maintain your career. This grant will help our members keep the dream alive.“
Learn more about how you can join Here and Ready’s mission to build connections, community and opportunity for Black actresses. Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated.
Please join us in congratulating the following:
We congratulate these winners and look forward to their creative pursuits!
Anna Cooper is an LA-based, conservatory and improv comedy trained actress with a deep passion for drama, comedy, and nuanced storytelling that highlights the beauty in the black experience. Through this grant, she will purchase a class to continue her theatrical training, improve her on-camera technique and refine her overall package in order to secure theatrical representation. “I want to show future theatrical agents that I’m not only a talent worth developing, but that I am also invested in my craft.”
Monique A. Robinson is a multi-hyphenated artivist and healer originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Drawn to work that highlights the rich complexity and uniqueness of Black Culture, she uses her platform as a performer and writer/producer to generate projects demanding socio-economic justice. Monique will use this grant to secure travel to South Florida, for research and development on a script exploring the harmful impact of Florida’s “Stop-Woke Law” on current Broward County Black educators and students.
Audrey Booth is a Black-biracial lesbian who has struggled with mental health issues in the past. The first time she saw an actress onscreen have a full breakdown the way that she used to, it changed her life. From that moment on, she decided, “to do my part In the film industry to help people overcome their sense of isolation and find the support they need.” She has focused on creating productions that support and uplifting vulnerable groups in our society and will apply the grant toward acting in and producing her next short film about finding community as someone who is both queer and religious.
Cyn Hilaire is an actress and filmmaker who has been growing as an artist for 12 years. She previously produced the book and movie “A Sit Down With Cyn: Monologues For Black Girls.” Following in the steps of Issa Rae and Viola Davis, Cyn will continue to help diversify the type of black women characters seen on TV and Film with her next short, Makeup & Medicine. “I know being a recipient of this grant will have the words “Black Actress Excellence” adjacent to my name – that is something I strive for every day in my training, in my presentation, and in my work.
Each recipient will receive:
- A $500 (USD) unrestricted cash grant
- 1-year of Here and Ready membership at our Backstage Pass level
- A private Zoom session with an industry guest
- Recognition on all Here and Ready platforms
- Continued features on our website throughout the year!
Support Here and Ready
Any and all donations go directly toward planning events, site maintenance and our outreach efforts to increase visibility for Black actresses in entertainment.