MOVE Artists Appoints Seven New Board Members to Drive Voter Engagement Through Arts Initiative

MOVE Artists announced seven new appointments to its Board of Advisors, representing a significant advancement toward the initiative's official launch this fall. The nonpartisan civic engagement initiative, powered by the Drake Institute of Women's Policy, utilizes the creativity and influence of artists to enhance voter registration and turnout across the United States. Through collaborations with college campuses, creative hubs, and community organizations, MOVE Artists will create artistic works that serve dual purposes as civic engagement tools.

Destiny Drake West, MAS, founder of MOVE Artists and CEO of the Drake Institute of Women's Policy, emphasized the initiative's mission, stating that art moves people and people move communities forward. The newly appointed board members bring artistic training, technical expertise, and strategic insight necessary to engage communities in culturally meaningful and civically impactful ways. The appointments are effective immediately, with each member serving a two-year term on the Board of Advisors.

The inaugural board comprises seven leaders with diverse expertise spanning arts, culture, education, law, business, and community engagement. Sarah Wilber, former Vice President of Capital Campaigns and Strategic Planning at the Kennedy Center, led its $250 million Endowment Campaign. Jordan Shelby West, Ph.D., Associate Vice Provost at George Washington University, is a nationally recognized, award-winning scholar-activist. Ian Alden Russell, Ph.D., a global arts executive and curator, has over ten years of experience touring and recording with the award-winning vocal group Anúna.

Cameron Nelson, Executive Producer for TEDxSouthCentral, is a seasoned business executive and classically trained pianist. Jheri Holbert, Ed.D., Founder and CEO of Kids4Equity, has formal training in performing arts and appearances in commercials, television, and film. Christina Heliotis, LL.M., an attorney with extensive experience in digital economy regulation and policy, is also a part-time abstract painter with work exhibited in D.C. and New York City. Dianne Giacoio, Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Internet Sales at Capezio, supports growth for the global dancewear brand with sales and distribution across North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and Asia.

This strategic expansion of the Board of Advisors signals MOVE Artists' commitment to harnessing artistic expression for civic participation. The initiative's approach of integrating art with voter engagement could potentially increase electoral involvement, particularly among demographics that are traditionally underrepresented in voting processes. By partnering with educational and community entities, MOVE Artists aims to create sustainable models for civic engagement that resonate culturally and artistically, potentially setting a precedent for future initiatives at the intersection of arts and democracy.