MAKE A DONATION

Your support will help fund our great cause, to provide enrichment programming during the school-year. With a goal to continue producing FREE or LOW-COST programming, classes, workshops and family engagement events.

Your generous donation will fund our mission of family-engagement, community enrichment, and youth development. Especially for children and teens who are underprivileged, marginalized or disenfranchised. 

 Despite the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, which forced us to cancel in person engagement for two years, JBY did not neglect the youth community. We remained committed to providing meaningful programming and events in 2020 through 2022 in a hybrid model. Including, starting a homeschool group/co-op and developing virtual classes. 

JBY has become a go-to organization for culturally enriching programming; that celebrates the richness, creativity and positive influence of African American history and culture. Our events continue to be featured on network news stories and make the covers of respected newspapers. We are proud to say that our commitment to youth is consistent. 

JBY has a decade long legacy of being a warm and supportive organization that empowers, inspires, and provides tools that youth can take with them into adulthood. Thereby improving their own community and enriching the world. We award scholarships EVERY YEAR even when our funding is low because we care!

 The support of the community and our sponsors helps us make our annual charitable family engagement event, the Just Be You Children's Festival a tremendous success. And we are doing even more for children and teens all year long.
JBY continues to provide free programming; in partnership with local libraries, for families to enjoy. 

 “This is amazing! Thank you for making kids’ dreams come true. I’m so glad to be one of those kids! I’m so happy to be a part of the Just Be You Film Festival.” 

“The Just Be You Film Festival will be a new experience for me. I love learning and being part of new things. I think kids will learn about new and different career paths they might not have been aware of before. I feel this festival is important because it thoroughly involves kids and is for kids. This festival gives kids a chance to have a voice in the local entertainment world."

“I am very excited for my students having three films in this year's festival.  Last year I went to the festival and saw so much talent and had a wonderful time. I can not wait to come to this year's screenings and represent my students and Middletown North High School.  I will be going into my third year as the TV/Film teacher and I hope we can continue our success.” 

“We want to say, how kind Mahogany was to answer all of our emails efficiently! I also want to say, thank you so much for allowing seniors to have a good discount. This was a wonderful, wonderful evening. It was worth the 80 miles we drove! 

"I've performed for a Just Be You Performing Arts comedy showcase in the past and this production team puts on a great and fun show. I had a blast working with Mahogany and all the other comics on that line-up.” 

"As artists, we're deeply dedicated to supporting feminist movements and issues of women's empowerment. When we came across such a lively festival championing women in the arts, we knew we had to be a part of it! It was so great to be invited into a community of strong, talented women!"

“I am attracted to positivity and Just Be You Performing Arts is radiating with it."

 "This is a great festival created by people with passion. I'm happy that my film was part of it. Thank you for the prize. I will definitely participate in subsequent editions. Great communication." 

“I thank Just Be You Performing Arts for asking me to headline. I had a great time! I think the audience did too! I look forward to more shows with them in the future.”  

"I just want to say that the JBY Festival has encouraged me to work harder and push through problems, that I may encounter on my way to success. And to remember to 'just be you'. Thank you!"

"What I loved most [about JBY's comedy shows] was the diversity. The demographic wasn’t niche either. Everyone laughed and had a GREAT time and it was awesome to see all people of ALL ages and races laugh together."

"My goal is to be a household name and to encourage people with my music. Thank you Ms. Mahogany for everything you've done to help me. I've learned a lot about the industry. And,  I'm excited about the future."