How we started
Over a phone conversation between now President, Marquita Bianca and Vice President, Terrell K Mercer Arts Out Loud was born. The original mission was to create a platform where artists can express themselves in any genre freely and respectfully. The first AOL debuted January 31st 2014 to an audience leaving standing room only! Today the AOL dept at BFDC has grown to providing training sessions for youth artist in the form of Quarterly youth summits and a Youth Performing Arts Dance dept within BFDC. 100% of the AOL proceeds goes to benefit the mission of bettering our future artists!
Arts Out Loud is a creative education center whose mission is to promote and provide quality activities and services that will contribute to the physical, emotional and social well-being of the community.
Arts Out Loud’s vision is to enhance the quality of life and to fill the unmet needs of special needs families and senior citizens in our community.
AOL is dedicated to accomplishing these goals by providing education through classes, seminars and training sessions to parents, children, and the 60 and older community. We promote awareness by hosting inclusive dance, fashion, and theater events that encourage participation and interaction between special needs families, those 60 and older, and the community.
Also critical to AOL's success is advocacy for those 60 and older, those with special needs and their families through local, state, and federal government advocating for nondiscrimination legislation, education, and quality of life.