I am writing to you for your support of an arts & education initiative, Half Pint Poetics:

( @ HPP 09 Dion age 13, a slam Champion from Ravenswood Elementary )

HPP is a literacy based arts project that introduces students to social, and environmental awareness at an early age, In association with The UIC Social Justice Expo and in partnership with CPS, Kuumba Lynx will present the 2nd annual innovative education-based project, HALF PINT POETICS. HPP participants from Englewood to Uptown, will participate in a yearlong arts & education project that will include writing & performance workshops, professional development for educators, community service projects, publishing & recording opportunities, and exhibits that will all culminate in an elementary aged poetry slam and curriculum expo at The UIC Forum on May 20th 2010. The yearlong project will service up to 15 elementary schools, and over 400 students. The culminating HPP poetry slam and curriculum fair anticipates an attendance of over 2,500 youth & educators!

Last year Half Pint Poetics brought together over 250 student artists, activists, adult educators, community members, and local leaders to both educate and express themselves creatively while exchanging ideas, and creating cross-cultural dialogue for mutual understanding. Utilizing Hip Hop arts and education as a tool to break down the societal barriers present in today’s world, HPP participants and attendees were able to experience a day of sustainable literacy & cultural arts, community building, and youth empowerment.

In an effort to expand the reach of Half Pint Poetics and begin affecting a broader student & educator audience in Chicago and across the nation, this year HPP will be presented in conjunction with the 4 annual Social Justice Student Expo. This expansion comes with the support from the College of Education of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago Public Schools, Brave New Voices & Louder than a Bomb poetry festivals, POW-WOW Inc., and various other youth education & arts organizations.

The expansion of HPP is an opportunity for Kuumba Lynx to develop more fully the educational component in ways that reflect the organizations continuously evolving world view and what constitutes an “environmentally & socially just” perspective. Half Pint Poetics seeks to inspire young people and their families to understand the value and relevance of their lives, by seeing the need and power in individual and collective voice: indeed, defining voice as inherent right and as being included in the emerging clean and green economies.

Kuumba Lynx presents

½ Pint Poetics

An event embracing the KL So Fresh and So Green Initiative

Half Pint Poetics is an elementary school aged poetry slam working towards social & environmental empowerment utilizing creative writing, progressive & relevant curriculum, and performance & cultural activities to engage our communities in the “Going Green” movement and social justice work. HPP is produced by Kuumba Lynx in partnership with the CYIC Student Social Justice Expo., and models partnerships between diverse and underserved communities, school groups, urban environmental activists, the Hip Hop community and the contemporary arts world.

Kuumba Lynx seeks to be supported by local businesses and organizations that support our mission and vision. The 2 annual event has welcomed upwards of 200 people and engages thousands more through print, online and socially-driven media. This year’s expansion through the UIC Student Social Justice Expo collaboration promises to include an additional 1500 youth aged 10-21, their mentors, and university students and faculty. These participants are Future educators, professors, community artists & activists, and students from over forty Chicago schools. Kuumba Lynx is soliciting support for this event through business sponsors and organizational partners.

Sponsorship for Half Pint Poetics is mutually beneficial as it provides exposure and relationship building for the businesses and organizations involved. Please refer to the following sponsorship details. For more information in regards to partnering or sponsorship, please contact Jaquanda Villegas at 773-550-3849/4229 or email kuumbalynx@yahoo.com.

Festival Details and Stats:

• Date –May 20 2010 10am-4pm
• Event Focus: Elementary aged youth poetry slam focused on social & eco consciousness
• Expected attendance – 2,500+
• 50/50 – Men/Women ages 10 to 30
• Mean income - $30,000
• 40%- African American, 35% - Latino,5%-Asian, 5% Native, 10% - Caucasian, 10%-biracial
• Main Event Location – UIC Forum
• Attendees comes from all over Chicago (specifically CPS elementary & High schools)

Presenting (2 available) $5K Sponsor name above Festival name on all print media, articles, press interviews, event acknowledgements, etc. Logo on all print media. Info table Platinum (5 available) $3.5K Sponsor name to appear just below festival name on all print media and includes mention during all press interviews. Logo on all print media, info talbe Gold $2K Sponsor name just below Platinum sponsors, acknowledgement during media interviews. Logo on all print media, Silver $1K Sponsor name just below Gold sponsors, acknowledgement during media interviews, Bronze $500 and below Sponsor name just below Silver sponsors, Stage (2 available) $3K Naming rights for performance stage Event (4 available) $3K Naming rights for that portion of the poetry festival competition (ex. Dopest Delivery, Crazy Consciousness, Wrist Wild Out, etc.