A black and white photo of Elaine Gittens from the late 1960s. A young Black Barbadian Woman wearing a dashiki. She has a big smile with a large afro. She is standing to the side and her hands are on her hips. Behind her is a intricate pattern with stripes.

In Loving Memory of Claire's Mother, Elaine Gittens

Rest in Peace

green watercolor background with green vines and white flowers.

green watercolor background with green watercolor plants rising up from the bottom. some white dots decorate the background.

The Sistas Uprising Fund

Developing Microgrants For Marginalized Artists
Graphics by Amaranthia Sepia

Home: Welcome

Digital Painting by Amaranthia Sepia depicting a watercolor style forest reaching high into the sky. The trees are lush with green leaves and the sun shines down brightly through the middle.

Home: About

"The Sistas Uprising Fund" is a charity project to help marginalized women & marginalized genders gain financial support through microgrants. These microgrants aid these underrepresented creatives who’ve gone through immense hardship, ensuring they can continue their passion and build upon their dreams. The theme of our open calls depends on the theme of our "Art & Mind" Virtual Film Events. Initially, our first Art & Mind event in 2021 fundraised $751 for Brain Arts Org. This Boston organization uplifts “grassroots organizations and undervalued communities* by developing and implementing equitable models of engagement within the arts & culture sector.”

As Sista Creatives Rising started to develop shortly after, we brainstormed on how we could fundraise for other groups. Once Art & Mind 2023, “I Know Who I Am! Journeys of Women of Color & Femme-Expressing Creatives,” came to fruition, we decided it was time to create our fund.

In 2023 We Distributed five $200 microgrants to our Art & Mind 2023 Documentary Artists, thanks to Brain Arts Org. This was the start of the fund.

Haisi Hu is an Asian woman. She has long hair to her shoulder. She is sitting
in a living room next to some plants and lamp. She wears a grey sweater,
red lipstick and a grey pearl necklace. She smiles and looks straight to the
camera. She is in her mid forties.

Tennesha is a black woman with long black hair. Her left arm cradles her right arm imitating Picasso’s
painting The Absinthe Drinker. She is sitting in front of a glass of black-colored water to symbolize the
polluted water in indigenous communities. She is wearing a red halter to symbolize Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women. The photo is a close-up photo.

The Lady Ms. Vagina Jenkins is a monoracial Black, Agender Femme wearing a green velvet jacket, braids
in their hair and a gold crown. Their green lipstick matches their jacket and they are holding a huge stem of
cotton between their teeth, like a rose. Their power phrase, “Get Free, boo” is labelled in teal text across the
image.

Sabi is crouching in a monochromatic green image with her black hair pulled back in a ponytail, a low cut
tie die shirt and short shorts that have white lace. She is looking straight at the camera with her right arm
raised resting behind her head. Her eyes look intense and large, shining, a very slight smile.

Kai is a Puerto Rican brown woman with short, brown curly hair and brown
eyes. In the picture she stands, arms outstretched in front of a wall,
surrounded by multiple art pieces. She has a couple of tattoos on her arms,
a white shirt with a screen printed original design, and a black vest layered
on top.

Digital Art by Amaranthia Sepia. A Depiction of a black, white and turquoise koi fish and a white, red and black koi swimming in an abstractly drawn body of water. they are surrounded by water lillies.

At our Art & Mind event in 2023, through GiveButter.com, we raised $1453/$1000, allowing us to distribute seven grants for women of color and femme-expressing creatives of color. An eighth grant was provided by For All Things Digital. The remaining $53 was used to cover fees during distribution.

Nastassja is a Black woman with long dark brown braids pulled up in a ponytail and wooden beads on the ends. Her skin is dark brown, and face slightly turned to the right as she looks directly at the camera with a close lipped smile. She is wearing a white knitted top and surrounded by white wool sculptures of faces.

Tyra is a light-skinned African American woman with a shoulder-length dark brown afro. In this photo, she is wearing a black turtleneck shirt, red leather pants, and a silver chain belt. The photo is taken so that you can see from her hips up, and she has a closed-lipped smile.

Ashley is a black woman with curly hair and brown eyes. Her hair is a short pixie cut length and black. She has light brown skin. Using a close-up photo with a blurred background, her lips are curled upward in a small smile. She is wearing a dark blue plaid shirt that is slightly unbuttoned.

Amuri is a black woman with shoulder-length curly black hair and is wearing a black headband. She is also wearing a plain black shirt and has a closed-mouth smile. The photo is a head and shoulders shot. The background is outside in front of the water and with a bridge above.

This photo shows the head and shoulders of Glynnis Reed, a brown skinned Black woman with long, side swept, straightened dark brown hair. She is wearing a yellow dress, a royal blue beaded necklace and a turquoise printed scarf. She is looking directly into the camera with a gentle smile.

Sarena is a brown person wearing white headphones, a black wavy mullet, and purple-tinted glasses. They have tattoos on their arms and collarbones which poke out from beneath a tank top with the words CRY written in lime green capital letters. The background is an abstract piece by Sarena which features teal and green paint with organic black patterns.

Dr Dawn Karima is an Indigenous lady wearing a traditional patchwork cape and skirt with silver sequins, red, black, and blue cloth patterns. She is smiling and has long dark hair. She appears digitally to be standing on the virtual red carpet for the World Entertainment Awards where she is nominated for Best Podcast.

Brenda is a Colombian American woman pictured close up with gold wire-rimmed glasses and brown hair. She is seated outdoors with a blue sky and trees in the background. She is wearing a yellow sweatshirt and a red patterned scarf wrapped around her neck. Her head is tilted to the right, with a big grin across her face.

Learn About Our 2024 Finalists

A Note from our Eighth Grant Sponsor, Adebukola Ajao, Founder of For All Things Digital!

Testimonial From The Founder of For All Things Digital - Adebukola Ajao

A Collage piece showcasing the photo of a Black woman, eyes closed and bands raised on either side of her head in a meditative pose. Her fingers are covered in colorful rings and her nails are manicured. Surrounding her photo on a sunflower colored background are text boxes. A smaller box displays the name of her business 'For All Things Digital'. Both boxes are outlined in white and taped to the yellow background with colorful washi tape. Sunflowers and lotuses decorate the image.

Microgrant Poster by Amaranthia Sepia

A digital drawing by Amaranthia Sepia of twin waterfalls surrounded by bluish gray rock formations. The waterfalls are parallel to each other. The waterfalls land into a pool filled with vibrant lily pads, lotuses and lotus seed pods. In the middle is a yellow circle with a white outline. Above the circle is black curved text with a. White outline on two curved yellow graphics that says, “Eight!! Grants!!” Within the circle is white text with a black outline. “Seven $200 Microgrants for Biwoc &

Testimonial From The Founder of For All Things Digital - Adebukola Ajao

A Collage piece showcasing the photo of a Black woman, eyes closed and bands raised on either side of her head in a meditative pose. Her fingers are covered in colorful rings and her nails are manicured. Surrounding her photo on a sunflower colored background are text boxes. A smaller box displays the name of her business 'For All Things Digital'. Both boxes are outlined in white and taped to the yellow background with colorful washi tape. Sunflowers and lotuses decorate the image.

1/2

As a small business advocate, creative entrepreneur, and educator, I'm passionate about initiatives that funds others to achieve their goals. Sista Creatives Rising perfectly aligns with my vision for collective funding and mutual aid. I'm honored to contribute to artists, especially Black artists who face significant barriers when trying to access funding.

Black artists receive only a fraction of the funding available to artists. Sista Creative Rising is making a difference by providing accessible resources and funding opportunities, SCR is helping to level the playing field for Black creatives. I'm proud to support SCR and its mission to empower Black artists and cultivate a more vibrant and equitable creative community.

A Note From Claire

When I was growing up under domestic violence, I promised to one day help my mother free from her sufferings by becoming a well-known writer.

I have yet to accomplish that goal, and my mother has transitioned. However, I have my daughter, and together, under SCR, we are working to help marginalized creatives gain accessibility and visibility through the arts to facilitate personal healing.

The Sistas Uprising Fund is another way to help marginalized creatives who need help during difficult times, even as they try to create. Initially called The Sista Survivor’s Fund, the fund was inspired by those like me who’ve survived domestic violence, but we decided the current name suited our vision better. I was unable to help my mother as I dreamed while growing up, but I truly hope she sees my efforts from the ether.

Claire sitting on a brown bench with her cane and large multi-colored funky sunglasses. She has her right hand resting on her right cheek. She is wearing a floral kimono cardigan and white halter jumpsuit. Surrounding Claire is grass and mulch, and one small bush.

Digital art by Amaranthia Sepia. A drawing of twin waterfalls surrounded by lilies and birght pink lotuses. A rainbow forming a heart-like shape is at the top.

Our Definition of "Femme-Expressing"

We define "femme-expressing" as anyone, regardless of gender identity (man, woman, non-binary, etc.), who leans towards a femme-expression. We’ve showcased creatives who define themselves as non-binary femme, trans-femme etc.

In summary we go by this definition referencing the article, “Women & Femmes Unite!” by Blu Buchanan:

*Femme is a term used in LGBTQ+ circles that describes one’s gender expression. It further explains how a person exists in society, such as a non-binary femme or trans-femme. ‘Woman’ describes gender identity, where ‘femme’ is a gender expression.

Anyone who identifies as a woman, regardless of gender expression, is eligible! And anyone is self defines as 'femme' but might not necessarily identify as a 'woman' is also welcome!

"Curls and Curves"a digital painting. Three voluptuous Black women with thick natural hair.

Contact

General Inquiry
Art & Mind Inquiries
Virtual Workshop/Presentation Inquiries
Virtual Speaking Engagements
Virtual Media Interview

info@sistacreativesrising.com

Home: Contact

In Loving Memory of Claire's Mother, Elaine Gittens

Rest in Peace

The Sistas Uprising Fund

Developing Microgrants For Marginalized Artists
Graphics by Amaranthia Sepia

In 2023 We Distributed five $200 microgrants to our Art & Mind 2023 Documentary Artists, thanks to Brain Arts Org. This was the start of the fund.

At our Art & Mind event in 2023, through GiveButter.com, we raised $1453/$1000, allowing us to distribute seven grants for women of color and femme-expressing creatives of color. An eighth grant was provided by For All Things Digital. The remaining $53 was used to cover fees during distribution.

A Note from our Eighth Grant Sponsor, Adebukola Ajao, Founder of For All Things Digital!

A Note From Claire

Our Definition of "Femme-Expressing"

Contact

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Accessibility Policy

In Loving Memory of Claire's Mother, Elaine Gittens

Rest in Peace

The Sistas Uprising Fund

Developing Microgrants For Marginalized Artists Graphics by Amaranthia Sepia

In 2023 We Distributed five $200 microgrants to our Art & Mind 2023 Documentary Artists, thanks to Brain Arts Org. This was the start of the fund.

At our Art & Mind event in 2023, through GiveButter.com, we raised $1453/$1000, allowing us to distribute seven grants for women of color and femme-expressing creatives of color. An eighth grant was provided by For All Things Digital. The remaining $53 was used to cover fees during distribution.

A Note from our Eighth Grant Sponsor, Adebukola Ajao, Founder of For All Things Digital!

A Note From Claire

Our Definition of "Femme-Expressing"

Contact

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Developing Microgrants For Marginalized Artists
Graphics by Amaranthia Sepia