Black Art Speaks
Black Art Speaks is a Cincinnati-based non-profit, membership-based art collective founded in 2019 that supports Black artists through direct funding, exhibitions, mentoring, and education, monetizing via membership dues, e-commerce artwork sales, donations, and corporate mural sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersCincinnati, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Black Art Speaks does
Black Art Speaks is a non-profit, membership-based art collective founded in 2019 by President & CEO Alandes Powell and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The organization was formed to promote Black culture, social justice, and expression by uplifting Black artists' voices, and is anchored by its creation of the Black Lives Matter! Cincinnati Mural — inspired by Powell's poem "We Want What You Want." As of 2024, the collective was marking its 5th Year Anniversary and had been recognized with the 2024 National Community Mural Award for its community impact.
Operationally, Black Art Speaks supports, fosters, and convenes Black artists and arts/cultural organizations by creating and connecting direct funding opportunities, coordinating exhibition opportunities, providing professional development and mentoring, and delivering educational and programming services. Its commercial footprint is modest: an e-commerce storefront selling original artworks ($1,000–$10,965), art prints and reproductions ($100–$500), yard signs, and Market Wine Gallery merchandise, complemented by corporate sponsorship and project-request fulfillment for mural and community art installations.
The revenue model is multi-stream: recurring artist membership dues (amount undisclosed), one-time artwork and merchandise sales, donations, and corporate sponsorship/project fees quoted on inquiry. Go-to-market is community-led and locally concentrated, leveraging Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, an email newsletter, events (including Black Wine Fest), earned media (e.g., a 2024 CEO Op-Ed in the Cincinnati Enquirer), and a volunteer pipeline. There is no disclosed technology platform, no proprietary software, no app, no API, and no AI/ML components identified in the source data.
Black Art Speaks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Black Art Speaks
- Legal name
- Black Art Speaks
- Website
- https://blackartspeaks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Black Art Speaks is a Cincinnati-based non-profit, membership-based art collective founded in 2019 that supports Black artists through direct funding, exhibitions, mentoring, and education, monetizing via membership dues, e-commerce artwork sales, donations, and corporate mural sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Black Art Speaks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts & Culture Non-Profit Services
- NAICS
- Art Dealers (459920), Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
Keywords
Where Black Art Speaks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cincinnati
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Black Art Speaks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Membership-based revenue from artists joining the collective, with members receiving access to opportunities, profiles, and exclusive content.
- Artwork and Merchandise Sales: Direct sales of original artwork and reproductions through the organization's e-commerce shop. Price points range from $100 for smaller reproductions up to $10,965+ for original pieces.
- Donations: Charitable donations from supporters to fund the organization's mission of supporting Black artists and cultural programs.
- Project Requests and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships and project-based work including mural creation and community art projects. Bulk orders and corporate sponsorship pricing available upon inquiry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Reproduction artwork starting at $100 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Original artwork from $1,000 to $10,965 |
| Subscription | Annual | Membership dues for artists joining BAS |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Corporate sponsorship and bulk orders |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Black Art Speaks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Black Art Speaks is a non-profit, membership-based art collective that supports Black artists through direct funding, exhibition coordination, professional development, and mentoring. It sells original artwork, art prints, yard signs, and themed merchandise through its own e-commerce shop, and delivers commissioned murals and community art projects for corporate sponsors and partners.
Product overview
Black Art Speaks operates primarily as an e-commerce platform selling Black artists' artwork through a unified shop experience. The product portfolio consists of original artworks priced at premium ranges ($1,000-$10,965), art prints and reproductions in various standard sizes with framed/unframed options ($100-$500), yard signs, and Market Wine Gallery merchandise. All products support the organization's mission of promoting Black culture and providing economic opportunities for Black artists through direct sales.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Art Prints and Reproductions High-quality art prints and reproductions by Black artists available in multiple sizes (4x6 up to 16x20) with framed and unframed options, priced from $100 to $500. Sold through the BAS e-commerce shop to individual collectors and supporters.
- Original Artworks
- Yard Signs
- Market Wine Gallery Collection
- Commissioned Mural and Community Art Projects
- BAS Collective Membership
Quantifiable outcome
- 2024 National Community Mural Award recognition
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Black Art Speaks
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Black Art Speaks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Black Art Speaks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Black Art Speaks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Creative Time: New York-based nonprofit that commissions public art projects addressing social issues and works with artists on large-scale cultural programming. Comparable to Black Art Speaks in its nonprofit, public-art-led approach to social impact, though operating at significantly larger scale and budget.
- Black Art In America: Long-running online platform and community that documents, promotes, and sells work by Black artists, with a national audience spanning collectors and cultural institutions. Comparable to Black Art Speaks as a Black-art-focused ecosystem supporting artists' visibility and commercial activity, though broader in scope and larger in reach.
- Magic Box Productions / CAAM (California African American Museum): California African American Museum is a public institution focused on preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting African American art and culture through exhibitions and public programming. Comparable to Black Art Speaks in mission around Black cultural representation, but as a larger museum institution rather than a grassroots artist collective.
Direct peers
- Project Row Houses: Houston-based nonprofit founded in 1993 that transforms historic community spaces into platforms for Black artists through residencies, exhibitions, and direct artist funding. Highly comparable to Black Art Speaks as a community-rooted nonprofit collective that combines artist support, exhibitions, and public/community art programming.
- For Freedoms: Artist-led organization founded in 2016 that produces public art installations, billboards, and programming around civic engagement and social justice. Directly comparable to Black Art Speaks as a nonprofit, artist-collective structure using public art as a vehicle for community activism and Black cultural expression.
- The Laundromat Project: New York-based nonprofit that supports BIPOC artists to work in their own communities through residencies, fellowships, and programming. Comparable to Black Art Speaks as a place-based nonprofit that funds artists, builds community programming, and uses art as a tool for social justice.
- AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists): Historic Chicago-based Black artist collective founded in 1968 dedicated to defining a Black aesthetic and supporting Black artists through exhibitions and community programming. Comparable to Black Art Speaks as a Black artist collective advancing Black cultural expression, though operating as a historic/legacy movement rather than a contemporary nonprofit.
- Black Artists + Designers (BAD): Nonprofit membership-based collective promoting Black creativity across art and design, with a directory, programming, and community-building focus. Directly comparable to Black Art Speaks in mission, membership model, and emphasis on uplifting Black artists' visibility and economic opportunities.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Black Art Speaks social profiles
Digital presenceBlack Art Speaks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Black Art Speaks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Black Art Speaks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Black Art Speaks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Black Art Speaks
What does Black Art Speaks do?
Black Art Speaks is a non-profit, membership-based art collective that supports Black artists through direct funding, exhibition coordination, professional development, and mentoring. It sells original artwork, art prints, yard signs, and themed merchandise through its own e-commerce shop, and delivers commissioned murals and community art projects for corporate sponsors and partners.
Is Black Art Speaks a public or private company?
Black Art Speaks is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Black Art Speaks founded?
Black Art Speaks was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Black Art Speaks based?
Black Art Speaks is headquartered in Cincinnati, United States, in the North America region.
How does Black Art Speaks make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are artwork and Merchandise Sales, donations and project Requests and Sponsorships.
Who are Black Art Speaks's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Creative Time, Black Art In America and Magic Box Productions / CAAM (California African American Museum). Direct peers are Project Row Houses, For Freedoms, The Laundromat Project, AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists) and Black Artists + Designers (BAD).
Does Black Art Speaks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Black Art Speaks.
What industry is Black Art Speaks in?
Black Art Speaks's product category is Arts & Culture Non-Profit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAH, Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs. Its NAICS code is 459920 and its SIC code is 7330.