2017 LEAF Annual Report

COMMUNITY ARTS

2017 Annual Report

Connecting cultures & creating community through music & arts

Looking back, changes in our world have had unexpected social and community issues that affected many of our staff and community members; therefore, LEAF expanded our efforts to be a welcoming safe haven where people could feel free to explore, connect and express their cultures. In addition, LEAF accelerated our dedication to being an active part of creating connections to being Global Citizens. At the end of 2017, the Navigator team took time to reflect back upon the year we were astounded to see the positive impact and extraordinary work both locally and globally that together we were able to achieve.

COMMUNITY ARTS

What were a few of the highlights of Cultural Exchanges?

LEAF Delta House Jazz Band headed to New Orleans for its 3rd Bi-Annual trip. We arrived as the Mardi Gras Indians were marching then we dove deep into the world of Jazz. Preservation Hall masters educated and inspired the youth, and exchanges with Roots of Music and Trombone Shorty Academy were off the charts challenging and inspiring for each of the young LEAF artists.

Table of Contents: Executive Director Letter.. B LEAF Board 2017.........1 Highlights............... 2 Membership............ 3 LEAF Schools and Streets................. 4 LEAF International..... 6 Financials . . ............ 8 LEAF Love Report....... 8 Sponsors and Staff... 10

REFLECTING ON 2017 LEAF is on a mission and the LEAF Love supporting that mission was flowing in 2017.

LEAF MemberSHIP increased 200% to end the year with more than 700 Members. This is significant because MemberSHIP is the primary funder of LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International. I am so grateful! Throughout the year, I met so many members that had been part of LEAF for 12-23 years and we have never met. They share their stories of why LEAF has been a core part of their family traditions. As the founder, and longtime Executive Director, these new connections are fulfilling and inspiring. One dad shared, “I bring my kids to LEAF so they can have global and arts culturally diverse experiences that they do not have access to in our community.” These members are people that have helped create LEAF by being a positive part of the fabric for years. As we look forward, it is our hope to continue to cultivate and grow these connections for together we are all stronger.

Each day in the LEAF office involves weaving of cultural arts educations programs for youth living in both local and global communities; event planning and the numerous logistics ensure a happy and healthy festival experience; building donor and member connections to cultural arts; exploring new funding resources that advance our public offerings and impact; taking care of LEAF Teaching Artists so that they can be the mentors our community needs; collaborating with partners to further develop a pipeline of community development; designing engaging marketing that inspires participation; researching and booking world class performing artists; reflecting on where we’ve come from while looking towards our 2020 Vision plan which guides our steps forward; and of course, lots of LEAF Love!

LEAF International welcomed youth and artists from Tanzania, Guatemala and Rwanda.

Each of the cultural exchanges embraces personal stories and miracles that made these trips come to life. In May, the Rwanda group reunited three of the young men who raised themselves on the streets of Kigali, eventually rising to become world-class musicians through years participating in the LEAF Intore Troupe. One of these young men, Daniel is the best Rwandan Inanga player in the world now and currently resides in Europe. To see this reunion, and witnessing them connect with their Tanzanian neighbors was extraordinary. The biggest miracle of all occurred while working with David Kwizera who rose from the leader of the former Rwandan street kids to become a LEAF Culture Keeper. He arrived to May LEAF with news they the troop had lost their home and were back on the streets. LEAF donors rallied, and within 2 months a new LEAF home and cultural center was thriving in Kigali. Today 300 youth come to the center weekly to learn their Rwandan traditions of dance, drum and song, and even supporting over 20 youth to go to school. This miracle runs deep, beautiful and a one in a million story of leadership, perseverance and cultural preservation.

What were some LEAF leaps in 2017?

Each month LEAF Navigators participated in Learning Journeys which included hands on workshops with DJ Kutzu, Hood Huggers tour of historic African American Asheville, equity trainings, and launching the 1st LEAF Live where Resident and Visiting Teaching Artists were announced at the beginning of the year to local principals and teachers. The LEAF Live! leap significantly improved our cultural arts connections with the schools and resulted in a year-round partnership with Buncombe County Schools. Gloablly, LEAF International partnered with Build Lightly to build a new music room in El Tejar, Guatemala.

Further south in the Grenadines, 10 years of dreaming came to life. Bequia Kid’s on Pans have their own Culture Center sweet building with brand new pans custom made for them in Trinidad.

This annual report is created to give you a glimpse of LEAF’s impact, dedication and moments of life-changing magic. If you would like to learn more or share your thoughts, myself or another Navigator is available for a walk or tea. Just contact the LEAF office.

LEAF Love & Gratitude,

2017 LEAF Board: Derek Allen Reggie Tidwell Adrian Vassallo Bill Feste Jen Beasley Gary Broome Deborah Bryant Ford Willis Cleaster Cotton C.D.Daniel Christine DiBenedetto Vanessa Guerrero Neely Neu Kerri Hampton-Pyle Pete Roe Holt Moore Anthony Thomas Robert Todd Mike Zinsmeister Emeritus: Carol Antman Ivi Bilich Tracy Massiello Brown James Fisher Tommy George River Guerguerian Kelly Hanson Elbert Hargrave Cliff Hotchkiss Jill Jones Sarah Nie Jody Whitehurst

Jennifer Pickering | Executive Director 1

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GRATITUDE TO LEAF MEMBERS Visionary

Scott Cameron | Sherry & Anthony Coggiola | The Pickering Family

Luminary

Faith Bishop-Rogers | Mike Compton | Charles Gwinn | Barbara Benisch & Jacque Allen | Kristina & Max Trainque | Peace-Love-Happiness

Cultural Ambassador

Ivica Bilich | Mark Fogas | Heather Gradison | Eric & Jen Heller | Irma & Arthur Miller Family Foundation | Russell Keith | Jay Lurie | Ralph McLendon | George & Linda Millsaps | Pete Roe | Arthur Smith | Russell Smith

Patron

Jennifer Beasley | Jim Bird | Alice Dawson | Bob Deutsch | Doug Dixon | Michael Donahue | Jennifer English | Tommy & Debbie George | Barry Halperin | David & Lucy Hazebrook | Adrienne Holcomb | David Jeckewicz | Rose Jenkins | Kellie Kiely | Alston Kirk | Wren London & Robert Todd | Dennis & Valerie Patenotte | Kippy Perkins | Therese Piazza | Stephen Ratliff | Julie & Roy Smith | Andrew Baxter and Susan Gover | Gregg Swentor | Jody Whitehurst | Jackson Whitfield | Curtis & Nan Williams | Robert Willis | Stephen & Roxanne Wilmans | David Winston | Marsha Wolland | Mike & Lisa Zinsmeister

Benefactor

Ralph Alexander | Pamela Allen | Sally Avery | Steve Breckenridge | Gordon Brown | Brett & Robyn Brunmeier | Brooke Budde | Bradford Burgess | Faith Butterfield | Ken Cathey | Christian Cleveland-Peck | Lisbeth Riis Cooper | Sarah Creech | Bahram Dahi | Edward & Kristan Dewey | James “Jim” Diaz | Christine Dibenedetto | Nancy Duncan | Paul Farley | Hedy Fischer | Elbert Hargrave | Sherry Huber | Shawn Hutchens | Jill Jones | Bruce Kabat | Bruce M Koloseike | Krzysztof Krudysz | Mark Krumbach | Jules Lieb | Suzanne Lowe | Jay Lurie | Kristi Miller | Julie Modaff | Timothy Novak | Roberta Penn | Olivia Post | Margaret Quarrier | Christy Ramm | Jonathan Reily | Tim Roach | Huger & Michelle Sinkler | Layne Smith | Amanda Vollrath | Kenneth Wilson | Craig Winterfield | James Wyman

Supporter

Thomas Arnau | Anastacia Atkins | Erica Bell | Amber Bockman | Helme Calfee | Glenn Cox | Selina Delangre | Ed Guzowski | Amanda Hale | Susan Hawthorne | James Hines | Jinx Jenkins | Michael Keen | Sebastian Matthews | Catherine Metzger | Anna Montgomerie | Kermit Page | Emily Redfield | Maureen Rohan | Leila Ross | William Sinkovic | Larry Turner | Jennifer Waite | Tony Woody

Family

S. Olayinka Akinola-Hadley | Rodney Apple | Alisha Ardis | Chris Arnaud | Nathan Auge | Alyssa Augustine | Andrea Averitte | Gretchen Aydelette | Lindsay Ayliffe | David Baker | Beth Baldino | Joseph Barbarito | William “Bill” Bauman | Rebecca Bell-Rogers | Cheryl Bennett | Lee Bentley | Judith Berger | Rebecca Bernstein | Ann Birdseye | Linda Birdsong | Susan & Chris Bogardus | Roger Boldizsar | Marion Boone | Caroline Brennan | Joe Brillante | Eve Brow | Nita Brunner | Mary Bryant | Wes Burke | Louis Calderon | Barbara Callaway | Victoria Canipe | Christina Carlsle | Martha Carnevale | Traci Carroll | Jill Carter | David Cash | Jordi Castells | Jacqueline Castle | Carrie Chisholm | Colleen Clawson | Pamela Cohen | Gregory Cole | Ginger Collins | Adrienne Coopey | Mitzi Corrigan | Melanie Cozzo | Troy Crites | Megan Cynowa | Katie & John Czyszczon | Dawn Davis | Kate Davis | William Davis | John Day | Julie Dean | Cara Defoor | Heather Deifell | Beth Denenny | Heather Dickens | Erin Dickinson | Elizabeth Dixon | Kim Dowd | Brenda & Ed Durant | Charles “Chuck” Ebbets | Robert Eckstein | David Einzig | Sarah Einstein | Lynn English | Cindy Esselstyn | Robyn & Doug Evans | Dan Everett | Jennifer Everheart | Pam Eversole | Rachel Fagan | Holly Fairbairn | Amy Fankhauser | Tiffani

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Ferrell | Jason Flassing | Deborah Fleming | Sarah Ford | Christie Fore | Rick Fornoff | Michael Franco Nicole & Ben Frazier | William Freeman | Charles Froelich | Craig Frustaci | Lisa Fullen | Katherine Garthright | Jennifer Geigerman | Daniel Glusman | Jeffrey Goldberg | Pamela Gould | Charles Graham | William Green | Carol Ann Greene | Russell Haber | Bob & Caryn Hanna | Brian & Susan Harden | Gary Harrell | Marilyn Hasty | Dyan Heineck | Shaw Henderson | Erin & Rob Heramb | Kay Hernandez | Lee Heyne | Sabrina Hilario | Kurt Hill | Jennifer Hill-Verde | Nichole Hinske | Farrah Hoffmire | Devorah Holan | Kelly Holdbrooks | Andy Huggins | Amy Huntsman | Wendy & TJ Husted | Heidi Hyche | Erin Hykin | Bruce Ikelheimer | Cheyenna Irwin | April Jacob | Christina Jacob | Michael James | Julie Jenkins | Horace Jennings | Kristin Johnson | Marissa Jones | Sara Jones | Lou Jurkowski | Danielle Kaba | Daniel Kasbohm | Deborah Kaye | Kim Keifrider | Emily Kelley | Anne Kennedy | Katherine H Kent | David King | Elisabeth King | Katherine Kipka | Ken Kolb | Hollis Konitzer | Richard Kort | Cathy Kott | Jennifer Kulick | Elizabeth Laing | Susan Lane | Marcy Lanier | Larry Larson | Joyce Law | Emily Lawrence | Suzy Lawrence | Leslie Leblanc | Jim Ledbetter | Natascha Leitner | Megan Lemmond | Tony Lepore | Fern Leventhal | Veronica & John LIndsey | Seth Little | Elly, Glen, & Wells Locascio | Meredith Love | Daniel Luckinbill | Tori Lutkowski | Leigh Maher | Jeremy Mandle | Craig Mariani | Walter Markiewicz | Marie Marquardt | Valerie Martin | Steven Marx | Maariah (Meg) Mcandrew (Anderson) | Christopher Mcauley | Joseph Mcauley | Mark Mcclure | Marsha Mcdonald | Chaunda Mckelvy | Lisa & Chad McKinney | Dana Mcleod | Alan Meyer | Jeff & Ashley Miller | Susan Miller | Christy Montoya | Martha Moore | Marc Morrison | Barak Mowery | Amy Mueller | James Mullis | Max Nemeth | Katharine Nevin | John Nicholson | Brad Olschansky | David Oppenheimer | Gina Paddock | Traci Paden | Robert Parkman | Steve Patch | Sarah Patten | Donna Paxon | Paul Peck | Greg Peterson|Mary Beth Peterson | Cindy & Mike Phelan | Laura Pierz | Aaron Plantenberg | Robert & Cheri Pollack | Elizabeth Ponder | Christine Priola | Susannah Reilly | Jimi & Dawn Rentz | Brad Reynolds | Marlene Rickert |Angie Rikard | Michelle Rogers | Jon Root | Michael Root | Peter Rosal | Jenifer Rose | Sherry Roy | Adina Rudisch | Kathy Runion | Catherine Ryba | Susanna Saidi | Michael Salmon | Kathy & David Saunders-Reidy | Mimi Savage | Erin Sawyer| Lisa Schactman | James Schall | Dave Schell | Sheryl Scholer | Kevin Schoonover| Brady Schroeder | Erin Sebelius | Spencer Sheppard | Russell Sherrill | Anne Sherry | Mike Shiminsky | Teri Siegel | Jeremy Smith | Maria Smith | Bachman Smith IV | Tamra Spencer | Jason Sperati | Michelle Spitko | John Stallings | Stardust | Michael Stephens | Scott Sternfeld | Kerry Stewart | Katherine Stone | Nathan Stone | Jeff Strawser | Wanda Sundermann | Athar Syed | Sherry Syence | Lee Taylor | Richard & Linda Tedesco | Dayna Thacker | Edward Tomczak | Alison Tseh | Laura Turner | David Ulrichs | Robin Vest | Shanti Volpe | Lara Wahl | Neal Ward | Jack Webb | Michael Weizman | Ford Willis | Yvette Wilson | Charles Winecoff | Lisa Wood | Brett Woodson | Allison Woody | Cynthia Yeager | Martha Zeagler

Individual

Randall Adcock | Leslee Alexander | Sergio Amaro | Maren Anderson | Rachel Anderson | John Apostolik | Brandon Ashkouti | George Austin | Joseph Austin | Regan Bailey | Heidi Barker | John R Barnwell | Stephen Basili | David Beane | Hayne Beattie-Gray | Brandi & Domenick Bedrosian | Robert Bellah | James Berk | Emily Bidwell | Brigitte Bilodeau | Emily Bishop | Linden Blaisus | Rob Blitt | Dianne Boswell | Sharon Bower | Susan Brandt | Diana Bray | Matthew Brennan | Leah Broker | Jarod Brown | Nash Brown | Tracey Brown | Chris Bubenik | Emlin Burke | Jennie Burleson | Ian Busby | David Butler | Lee Caffery | Malik Callahan | Katherine Campbell | Kimberly Campbell | Anne Carlson | Robert Carlson | Carrie Carpenter | Merryman Cassels | Maria Cavallo | Christian Champine | Tonya Chapman | Misty Childs | Ashley Christensen | James Clements | Aleshka Cleveland | Zac Cobb | Bevin Coffee | Mary Jane Covart | Stephen Cowles | Krista Crawford | Mary Culver | Sheneen Daniels | Annemarie Backx Dargan | Peggy Davis | Jennifer Dintsch | Dominey Drew | Susan Dubois | Paula Eichler |

Steve Eury | Ashley Evans | Lori Ezman | Stephanie Felsinger | Jenni Ferguson | Lori Fernald | Anthony Figuera | Elizabeth Foster | Gaetana Friedman | Teresa Gabrielle | Paul Gallimore | Vera Gault | Tracy Genetti | Simon George | Shawna Gilmore-Colson | Leslie Gipple | Bradley Gobrecht | Jerome Goldby | (Jody) Yaacov Gothard | Miller Graves | Scott Gray | David Greenspan | Alice Gray Gregory | Stephanie Greiner | Jack Gurrad | Patrick Haider | Karen Hales | Tana Hall | Stephanie Hallmark | Katherine Hampton | Christopher Hand | Donna Hankins | Michael Hanson | Dale Harmon | Alex Harris | Marjohn Hashemi | Starr Hazard | Evar & Rebecca Hecht | Renee Heindel | Mark Helms | Joan Herbert | Jason Herron | Sid Hetzler | Pete Heuberger | Shawn Hiatt | Karl (Ernest) Hinterkopf | Judith Hoover | Richard House | Marjorie Howiler | Emily Hudson | Gwyn Hutson | Nils Erik Ingvarson | Christopher Isla | Morgan Jennings | Nicole Jensen | Sarah Jones | Carol Jordan | Rick Kappelmann | Stefan Kelischek | Gwen Keller | Suzanne Kelmartin | Trinity Kessler | Paige Knoll | Ginger Knussmann | Suzanne Koenig | Richard Koerber | Steven Kraus | Linda Krusen | Jackie Kuhn | Julianna Labar | Nichole Ladde | Erwin Laitala | Coalter Lathrop | Douglas Law | Brian Leach | Daniel Lee | Michael Lewis | Kenneth Limerick | Jennifer Lindeblad | Ray Lingle | Nicole Long | David Low | Meggen Lyon | Susan Magar | Jane Malone | Bridget Marchand | James Martin | Jason Martini | Mark Mason | Susan Mathis | Melissa Mccormick | Elizabeth Mcdonough | William Mcfeely | Robert Mchugh | Miranda Mcmanus | Edie Mcpolin | Sharon Meeker | Maris Mendez | Robin Miller | Charles Millwood | Brandon Minton | Linda Mitchell | Paul Mitchem | Elizabeth Molaro | Branton Moody | Stephen Dunn Moody | Jeffrey Mooney | Peggy Moorhead | Edward Moreadith | Gabriella Moreno | Courtenay Morgan | Thomas Morrow | Laura Moses | Kathleen Mrachek | Michael Mulaiya | Janis Muncy | Ioan Muntean | Kevin Murphy | Charley Naney | David Nedved | Alan Nehemy | Brian Neill | Sandra Newes | Bradley Newsom | Carey Nikonchuk | Patti Norris | Sheila Nuccilli | Janie Oelke | Mark Ryan Osborne | Renee Owen | Kathleen Patten | Michael Patterson | Miles Pearce | Elizabeth Peel | Eleanor Perkins | Heather Peterson | Stefanie Peurifoy | Danny Pickett | Evan Pileri | Philip Pollick | Susan Rabourn | Dixie Rainey | Fernando Ramos | Benjamin A Ramseth | Samantha Read-Smith | Rebecca Reel | Timothy Reeves | Michele Reisdorf | Lesley Reitzel | Stephanie Renaud | Christin Richardson | Linda Rigell | Jeff Robertson | Kevin Roerden | Devorah Rosenberg | Carter Rowson| Lana Rubright | Kristen Salvatore | James Satterfield | Elizabeth Eboo Sauls | Victoria Savage | Barbara Schlegel Eia Schrider | Edel Seay | Talia Segrves-Collis | Frances Shaw | Katie Shaw | Kevin Shea | M. Julie Sherman | Sarah Reinholt Shoemaker | Marlin Sill | Michele Silver| Robert Simpson | Charles Skinner | David Skinner | Cynthia Smith | Jeff Smith | Melanie Smith | Kim Sperling | Hans Stader | Carolyn Standing | Eric Stanford | Margaret Steelman | Anderson Stockdale | Joann Strack | David Stuart | Jennifer Sugg | Emiliy Sule | Susan Surratt | Heidi Swann | Howard Sweet | Kenda Sweet | Summer Sweetser | Scott Talbert | Lori Taranto | John Taylor | Lovell (Clark) Taylor | Valerie Thompson | Shea Thorson | Alison Tiano | Gray Tiller | Harry Tiller | John Tosco | Rebecca Tuggle | Matthew Turner | Amy Tyson | Alan Venable | Karen Vickers | Edward Vigue | Donna Walker | Jennie Walker | Julie Walker | Lee Walker | Roberta Wall | Michael Ward | Barbara Watkins | Elisha Wells | Jessica West | Jay Wherley | Tilden White | Susan Whitler | Robbyn Whitlock | David Wiley | Janina Williams | Jeremy Williams | Leland Williams | Randy Williams | Truth Wingfield | Nicholas Winter | Sarah Ann Winter | Alicen Wong | Donald Wright | Jeff Wright | Sarah Wright | Julius Yoder | Kyle Zimmerman | Linda Zwobota

Staff/Volunteer

Mona Brooks | Mel Coleman | Damian Davis | Zach Evans | Kerri Hampton | Chris Hanson | Kelly Hanson | Brian Harasha | Pete Hutchens | Lisa Jacyszyn | Audrey Kanapaux | Tanya Mccracken | Paul McGuire | Sharon McGuire | Marshall Platt | Dianne Prohn I Jason Putnam | Traci Reinartz | Starr Silvis | Bryce Sloan | Walker Spruill | Tom Starnes | Jacquelyn Wallach | Carl Eric Wallander | Margot Wallston | Julia Whitney | Ken Wilson | Elizabeth Zappa

LEAF 2017 HIGHLIGHTS

LEAF Members are the Heart and Soul of Our Community. By supporting LEAF’s arts education programs, members are a part of a global movement promoting arts education, culture, and connectivity. 100% of MemberSHIP dues support our programs, locally and globally.

MEMBERSHIP BY THE NUMBERS:

Visionary - 3 Luminary - 6 Cultural Ambassador - 13 Patron - 30 Benefactor - 65 Supporter - 24 Family - 274 Individual - 294 Staff/Volunteer - 294

3 long time LEAFers, 2 Staff, 1 LEAF Schools & Street Culture Keeper, and 1 LEAF Schools & Street youth journey to Haiti for the LEAF International Cultural Expedition. This year all participated in Prosjekt Haiti’s annual summer camp – supporting global arts education for more than 80 youth from Saint Luis du Sud. As the community continues to recover from the damage of Hurricane Matthew in October 2016, the importance of preserving Haitian arts & culture is needed more now than ever.

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LEAF International Rwanda Culture Keeper David Kwizera gets his first ever vacation. While in Asheville, David worked hard to connect and secure sustainable housing for the LEAF Intore Dance Troupe.

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LEAF International Tanzania & Rwanda headline the twice annual Orange Peel performance along side culture keepers Masankho Banda, Adama Dembele, Stephanie & Gregory Laforest, and Grandfather Mazatzin. This performance alone brought in a youth group of more than 460.

“LEAF Membership is important to me because I have experienced the transformational power of cultural exchange and I have witnessed the life changing impact that LEAF outreach has brought to not only Asheville youth, but to our global community.”

Tommy George, 10-year LEAF Member & Board Emeritus

Your top program highlights from 2017 :

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Member Quote:

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LEAF International Tanzania (Culture Keeper Fredy N’ganga & 3 of his students) and LEAF International Rwanda (Culture Keeper David Kwizera, Pacifique Niyosenga, Patrick Usengimana, & world-renown Inganga player Daniel Ngarukiye) join the 44th May LEAF festival to celebrate the Legends of Africa. LEAF International touched over 1500 youth and community members this past May!

LEAF International Guatemala gets a new music room built by Build Lightly Studios.

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Rainbow Community School visits Burton Street ONEmic Studio for the first time!

“Inside Out” Music Business Club every 3rd Saturday at the space. This month, held an off-site professional photoshoot and invited students to participate!

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LEAF International Bequia begins the deep stages of renovating a cultural center donated to the group from the government.

When the Bequia government learned of preservation methods set in place by the Steel on Pans youth, they felt it necessary to offer the foundation so youth can continue to learn the sacred, harmonious rhythms of the steel pan drums.

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LEAF International Bequia gets new steel pans!

Easel Rider immerses in the Shiloh community with weekly programming using arts education and fun activities!

LEAF Delta House Jazz Band embarks on their community-funded musical journey to New Orleans

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National Release of Shallow Water – a beer dedicated to sustaining New Orleans culture….Thanks Burial Beer Co.!

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LEAF Schools & Streets launches pilot partnership program by joining forces with Buncombe County Public Schools’ Book-Mobile and the Summer Meals Program. Easel Rider cruisin’ in the Deaverview and Haw Creek communities!

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2017 + OVERALL DATA

LEAF SCHOOLS & STREETS LEAF Schools & Streets uses cultural arts to create life-affirming, community building experiences – empowering our youth to becomeglobal citizens, leaders and agents of positive change.

On any given weekday around 4pm, walk into the learning center at Pisgah View, Woodridge, or Deaverview Apartments; Delta House Life Development; Christine W. Avery Learning Center; Burton Street Community Center; Asheville Middle School; Toy Boat Community Art Space; Wesley Grant Center or Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club and you enter a world curated by 11 LEAF Resident Teaching Artists, letting the creative arts lead the way. Positive adult role models, community valuing youth, and increased self-esteem are all assets that navigate the impact of these programs. LEAF Schools & Streets uses cultural arts to create life-affirming, community building experiences – empowering our youth to become global citizens, leaders and agents of positive change.

“You’re a great dance teacher and a great friend, and I really like your clothes.”

– Student at Pisgah View

Keep Calm & Jazz On! Horns up! The LEAF Delta House Jazz Band embarked on a musical journey to New Orleans this March. In a short 4 day field trip, 12 young jazz musicians experienced the St. Joseph Mardi Gras Indian Parade with Culture Keeper & Yellow Pocahontas Big Chief Shaka Zulu, had a private masterclass with Preservation Hall Jazz Band, played alongside peers at the Trombone Shorty Music Academy, visit with The Roots of Music, a learning journey on Indian Culture with Chief Shaka Zulu, dipped into some beignets, had the world’s best po boys & MORE! The kids really worked hard and rose to the challenge of playing alongside peers, Teaching Artists and jazz legends, leaving their mark on New Orleans for a long while. Join us in showing some love to the future of jazz at Eden Hall from 10:45-11:15am.

Horns up! Jazz on!

“The more you learn about culture and differences, the more peace you will bring into the world…jazz is bringing all those cultures together, that’s that gumbo.”

- Chief Shaka Zulu

“I started when I was 7 on the piano. At 14, I got an electric bass. Never thought I would be a serious musician. But then I taught myself the upright bass and here I am working with Preservation Hall.”

“They’re taking art & music away from my school. They told us at the dance last week. So it’ll be nice to do art here. I love art!”

- Keeda Gardener 9 years old 3rd grader at Estes Elementary (in relation to Easel Rider activities at Shiloh)

GRAND Totals: TO DATE Nov. 28 2017 510 artist’s programs (+enrichment Fridays at WRS) 335 programs in schools 455 different arts education programs 52 after-school programs/community centers 5 low-income housing communities 3 correctional facilities 15,139 youth through Easel Rider activities 70,698 youth experiencing residencies, workshops or performances since 2004 7,916 youth performing @ LEAF updated 11/28/17 Currently 8,000+ youth served annually

Year-round LSS programming Fall 2017: 11 Resident Teaching Artists 35 LSS weekly classes 13 Low-income housing communities 25 Schools 350 students served weekly

- Richard Moten, Bass Player - Preservation Hall Jazz Band All-Stars

“We learned a new song…and being in the small groups was intense but helped us learn more.

It was kind of scary when I played the solo in front of the whole group with 30 kids…I was scared to mess up in front of new people. I didn’t mess up. I felt like a musician. It feels good to feel like a musician.”

- Reggie, youth LEAF Delta House Jazz Band

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LEAF INTERNATIONAL

Bequia

Costa Rica

Guatemala

LEAF International believes in the power of music and the arts to inspire and connect.

LEAF believes in the power of culture to provide a sense of identity, a sense of belonging & a sense of power among our world’s youth. Dedicated to cultural preservation and the fostering of global citizenship, LEAF International empowers communities by supporting Culture Keepers and connecting youth to their cultural heritage traditions.

Haiti

Mexico

FUN FACT: Build Lightly Studios also built the U-LEAF mobile stage in 2015. The U-LEAF is a user friendly, safe, and mobile art platform that will provide artists with an opportunity to showcase their creative talents in LEAF and community partner programs anytime, anywhere, for years to come.

-Sara Cano, LEAF International Guatemala Student

Jump aboard this fantastic voyage on our first stop to…. LEAF International Guatemala. With a new music room, increased number of youth, and full program expansion, LEAF International Guatemala is ready to share their sacred strings music with the world! During their 5-day residency and cultural exchange, LEAF International Guatemala will share the history of Guatemalan music, the importance of the Marimba – Guatemala’s national instrument & the influence Mayan culture plays in their country.

Build Lightly Studios (led by Miriam Gee and Luke Perry) is a design/ build collaborative pairing architecture professionals with university students to design, construct, and deliver projects to community clients in various locations around the world. The Build Lightly team consisted of 10 young architectural professionals from across the United States.

This phenomenal group of architects worked tirelessly for 7 days to create a spectacular 20 X 25ft room is fully equipped with non-parallel surfaces to prevent echoes, sound installation, lighting, and numerous electrical outlets.

LEAF International Guatemala just celebrated its 10 year anniversary in partnership with PEG and the CEDIN school in El Tejar. What better way to celebrate an incredible partnership than with the grand opening of a new music room!

The music room is cultivating new opportunities – offering a music teacher’s certificate, with more space to accommodate higher enrollment for the youth in El Tejar.

The room will also help to increase the capacity of the program, making it much more than just a physical space. Build

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Rwanda

Bois Gris, LEAF International Haiti Culture Keeper

New Orleans

The next day, we wake up at 6am for preparation. Around 7am we take a taxi to the Embassy. It takes about 45min to catch our 8am appointment. If things go well, we’ll spend almost two to three hours at the Embassy.

Ivory Coast Arriving to our final destination….and introducing LEAF International Ivory Coast!

The Dembele family has been passing on their music culture for nearly 700 years.

Because of the great amount of respect LEAF has for African arts & heritages, LEAF partners with culture keepers Adama & Dramane Dembele to support the continuation of West African Drum and Dance traditions in Ivory Coast. Look for LEAF International Ivory Coast across all stages and especially at the Global Outpost.

Travel with LEAF International Tanzania

“LEAF Festival is really special. LEAF & Vancouver Festival are my favorite in the world. At LEAF, you treat everyone the same- we all feel so good & taken care of regardless of the level of musicians. We are all the same.”

Tanzania

traffic congestion. The rest of the night is for dinner and rest.

Lightly Studios designed the classroom so that another one could be added right next to it very easily. With 38 new students entering the music program in 2017, this space will allow students to feel empowered and have something to call their own.

“Thank you for this program. It helped me realize that I have a lot of musical talent.”

Guatemala

Panama

Ever wondered what it’s like to have a 5 day mobile journey to obtain your passport?

Well, Fredy Nganga, LEAF International Tanzania Culture Keeper explains below.

“Our trip to Dar for visa interview takes minimum of ten hours. We wake up at 5am to take motorbike to the bus stand.

At 6am, the bus leaves to Dar, we stop in Moshi for breakfast around 7:30am. After we continue with our journey, and we stop along the way at Korogwe where we take our lunch around 1pm. From there we continue until we reach Dar, around 4pm. When we arrive, we take a taxi to the hotel; this takes about one hour due to

The third day we have free time to relax and go around, since the students never been in Dar. During town trips we use the town bus called Daladala. The fourth day we return back to the Embassy to pick our visas around 11am. After getting our visa, we’ll get back to the hotel, since at that time there is no transport to Arusha. So we wait for the next morning.

The fifth day, we wake up at 5am and take a taxi to the bus stand. At 6am the bus leaves Dar to Arusha. We stop at Chalinze for breakfast around 8:30am. Then we continue with our journey, and we stop at Korogwe, where we take our lunch, this is about 2pm.

From there we continue until we reach Arusha, around 6pm. After arriving we take town bus back to home.

This is our typical trip.”

To honor the respected journeys of our culture keepers, drop by the Global Outpost to meet and greet with LEAF International Tanzania & Rwanda. Hear their personal stories, support their cultural efforts, and watch their dynamic performances throughout the weekend!

Ivory Coast

Culture Keepers: Pacifique Niyonsenga - Rwanda Patrick Usengimana - Rwanda David Kwizera- Rwanda Fredy Nganga - Tanzania Luis Salazar – Costa Rica Alexis Rodriguez – Costa Rica Jairo Sanchez – Costa Rica Dramane Dembele – Ivory Coast Chief Shaka Zulu – New Orleans Kesslon Wilson - Bequia Boukman Eksperymans - Haiti LEAF International Teaching Artists & Coordinators Abraham Konga - Rwanda Edward Ndoleli – Tanzania Erasto Njavike - Tanzania Luis Porras Mora – Costa Rica Levi Walker - Bequia Jeff –Anie Joseph - Haiti Sara Morales - Guatemala Stephanie Munoz - Guatemala Pepe’ - Guatemala

2017 Cultural Expeditions: LEAF International Haiti July 1-9, 2017

LEAF International Guatemala January 2017

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LEAF FINANCIAL OVERVIEW INCOME

LEAF COMMUNITY ARTS PROFIT & LOSS

January through December 2017 $2,598,663.25

Donations & Contributions

21%

$553,182.03

62%

Event Revenues

Concessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90,072.04 Merchandise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,179.95

$394,849.50

15%

Total Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,598,663.25

$1,611,164.82

Sponsorships

15%

EXPENSES

Ordinary Income/Expense Income Donations & Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 553,182.03 Event Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,611,164.82 Sponsorships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394,849.50 Program Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,689.21 Reimbursed Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777.69

Total COGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112,251.99

Program Fees

Gross Profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,486,411.26

$38,689.21

Expense General Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 592,961.20 Fundraising Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30,716.47 LEAF Schools & Streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172,548.94 LEAF International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86,399.51 LEAF Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,380,599.16

$2,263,225.28

Total Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,263,225.28

26% 1%

Net Ordinary Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223,185.98

General Expenses $592,961.20

Other Income/Expense Other Income Capitol Gains/Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67,001.29 Interest Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,205.94 Refunds Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,997.06

Fundraising Expenses $30,716.47

8% 4%

LEAF Schools & Streets $172,548.94

Total Other Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83,204.29

LEAF International

Other Expense Suspense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00

$86,399.51

61%

LEAF Events

$1,380,599.16

Total Other Expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Net Other Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83,204.29 Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306,390.27

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theleaf.org

LEAF LOVE FUND CAMPAIGN REPORT

THANK YOU!

The purpose of the LEAF Endowment Fund is to support LEAF Community Arts, with a preference for LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International cultural arts programs. The priorities of these programs include: positive youth development, partnering to build stronger local communities, helping preserve global traditions, and connecting cultures.

LEAF Endowment Fund

Grand Total:....................................................................................................... $1,009,267 Donations Received to Date as of December 31, 2017:..... $643,654.50 Campaign Expenses (2014…now):........................... $36,396.30 (4% of total earned) Total People Who Gave: .......................................................................................... 99 How did gifts come in?..........................................................................................90% (or more of pledges came from people who Jennifer, Adam, and members of the board met with in person)

Gifts from Current Donors:...................................................................................... 65

David & Heather Abernathy Derek & Elizabeth Allen Patricia Anderson & Pamela Reid In Honor of George Pickering Anonymous - In memory of our dear friend, Harlan Richardson Anonymous (9) Carol & Mark Antman Ashkouti Family Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria Jen Beasley Erica Bell Barbara Benisch & Jacque Allen Ivi Bilich and Jennifer Twiggs Richard Blomgren Gary Broome Faith Butterfield In Memory of Nicholas B. Pickell Don & Alexandra Clayton Michael Compton Ashley Cooper Cleaster Cotton John Crossland III Daly & Sawyer Construction Mr. & Mrs. Charles Daniel Bob & Carol Deutsch James H. Diaz Jr. Christine DiBenedetto In Honor of Hennie & Xavier Callaway Doug & Jennifer English Bill Feste Filivia Foundation Hedy Fischer Kate and James Fisher Mark Fogas Tommy & Debbie George - In Memory of Mitzi George Strivven Media LLC - Ilya & Kim Gorelik Robin Gradison In Memory of Ben Gradison River Guerguerian Charles F. Gwinn John Michael Hale Memorial Fund Kerri Hampton Kelly Hanson Elbert Hargrave Lucy Hazebrook & David Hill In memory of Janie Pickering & Helen Schneller Sid & Emily Heilbraun Doc & Fran Hensley Adrienne & Lin Holcomb Betsy & David Hooper

Cliff Hotchkiss Patrick “Pat” Ilderton Patrick Ilderton Benjamin Jaffee & Jeanette Koehn Ann & Horace Jennings, in Honor of Betty Smith Jennings & Alice Sanders Jill & Bill Jones In Memory of Everette ErwinButler Jr. Amy & Nader Kawar of Enter the Earth Blaise & Cathy Kieler Ken Kiser Suzy Lawrence In Honor of Galen Starnes & Pete Spinnet Dan Lucas Memorial Fund: Greg Lucas Brad & Sarah Martin Tracy Massiello-Brown Cameron & Courtney Maybin Jeff & Ashley Miller George & Linda Milsaps Steve Moberg Holt & Jen Moore Kale & Lindsay Nevin in Honor of John Pommeroy Sarah Nie Doug & Darcy Orr - In Memory of Janie Pickering Chase & Clary Pickering The Pickering Family Dosty Quarrier & Alex Quarrier Gail Richman Pete Roe Leila Ross Cherry & Paul Saenger Salvage Station Sarver Realty Group, LLC Kalyn Saylor Sherafin Music Randy Siegel The Sinklers Deborah Bryant in Honor or Eddie Smith Bachman Smith Joanne & Martin Swenson The Marks-Nellie-Tidwell Family Robert Todd & Wren London In Honor of Wilbur Lee Todd Adrian Vassallo Karen & Larry Vickers Elly Wells Inc. Jody Whitehurst and Anita DiNovo Curtis & Nan Williams Ford & Emily Willis Mike & Lisa Zinsmeister

Gifts from New Donors:............................................................................................. 29 Average Gift Size:.................................................................................................$10,736 Median Gift Size:.....................................................................................................$3,000 10

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theleaf.org

LEAF GRANTS & SPONSORS Grants

LEAF Festival

LEAF STAFF Navigators (Year Around) Jennifer Pickering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Director & Founder Adam Bowers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Development Director Ehren Cruz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performing Arts Director Schree Chavdarov. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Global Engagement Director Cortina J. Caldwell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Relations Director Larissa Lopez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cultural Arts Admin Megan Crow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications Director Leigh Maher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Financial Offer & Production Elena Chu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Operations Officer Kyley Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customer & Service Operations Aviators (Specialized Crew) Erica Bell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engagement Specialist Chelcie Spenser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Volunteer Director Marsha Almodovar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Events Coordinator Nex Millen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ONEmic Studio Coordinator Cristal Rose Fox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Family Adventure Coordinator Stacy Alonzo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sponsorship Catalyst

Also: Wonderland Woods, Dewees Island Realty, Empire Distributing, Skyland Distributing, Nertworks, WNCW, Blue Ridge Outdoors, Capital at Play, Diamond Brand Outdoors, Frugal Backpacker, U.S. National Whitewater Center, Asheville T-shirt Co., Dr. Bronner’s, UNC Asheville, Angry Orchard, Charleston SUP Safaris, Le Bon Café, Enter the Earth, Bellyak, Sundance Power Systems, Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville, Roots & Fruits Market, Bob’s Red Mill, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Dynamite Roasting Co., Buchi Kombucha, Spiritex, Pisgah Banjo Co., My Newsletter Builder, Appalachian Realty Associates, Mosaic Realty, and WCQS

LEAF Downtown

Also: Empire Distributor, Prestige Subaru, Enter the Earth, Diamond Brand Outdoors, French Broad Food Co-op, Asheville Color & Imaging, Dr. Bronner’s, City Mac, Carolina Mountain Dental, Dunkin Donuts, Frugal Backpacker, WNC Magazine, Asheville Grit, WNCW, Wonderland Woods, Asheville FM, Appalachian Realty Associates, Town Mountain Realty, Mosaic Realty, 880 The Revolution, Asheville Citizen-Times, Capital at Play, Dig Local Asheville, WCQS, and Hola Carolina Media

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COMMUNITY ARTS

Black Mountain, North Carolina | info@theLEAF.org 828.68.MUSIC [686.8742] |theLEAF.org