Many Voices. One Thread.
Many Voices. One Thread.
MPV’s mission is to inculcate a culture of human rights through public education, advocacy and the arts. My note this month will focus on the newest program in our arts pillar - the Silver Thread Collective (pictured below at a recent luncheon).
Next month, on June 6th and 7th, MPV Los Angeles will host MPV’s first ever Spiritual and Community Empowerment Retreat, made possible by generous funding from the Fetzer Institute. We’ll be flying in our chapter leaders from Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, Phoenix, and San Francisco, along with our Marriage officiants, our chaplain endorsees, and members of our Board of Trustees.
Besides nourishing the spirituality that anchors our work, there will be a cross-pollination of knowledge as we cement our institution, legacy and future plans.
On the evening of the 6th, the Silver Thread Collective, MPV’s arts and entertainment initiative will be hosting a reception where we will showcase the literary, film and theatre projects we’ve supported through MPV’s Community Arts Grant. Grant recipients will also be in attendance to share insights into their projects, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, as well as inspirations and challenges that shaped their work and their experiences.
As a creative myself who was in the music business decades ago, I am sympathetic to the challenges and the lack of support faced by young Muslim creatives from both the Muslim and arts communities. The creation of the Silver Thread Collective not only offers a community for Muslim creatives, but also a safe space where ideas, trust and partnerships can flourish as we work together to cultivate uniquely American Muslim culture(s).
Want to join us on this journey?
If you are a Muslim in the arts industry looking for community, please email us at silverthread@mpvusa.org, and follow us on Instagram @silverthreadmpv.
If you’d like to help us support Muslim artists, make a donation to the Community Arts Grant here.
If you’re interested in joining us at the June 6th event, please visit the event page here.
As always, everyone is welcome!
Onward and upward…
Ani Zonneveld, Founder and President, Muslims for Progressive Values