Brooklyn's Progress
December 2001

The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporian Arts Museum Planning Headquarters hosted its 2nd Annual Masquerade Ball at the Prospect Park Picnic House. Honorary Co-Chairs Cicely Tyson and Max Roach came together to support the building of the first state of the art, multi-million dollar museum in the Borough of Brooklyn for contemporary artists of the African Diaspora. Highlights of the festive evening included an incredible dance performance by the Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, a surprise performance by legendary jazz giant Max Roach and an incredible presentation by Cicely Tyson. Over 300 people were in attendance including Borough President Howard Golden; Director Emeritus Joan Maynard of the Society for the Preservation for Weeksville; Mensah Wali, founder of the International African Street Festival and Jeanne Lutfy, president of the BAM Local Development Corporation. Corporate sponsors included The Daily News, HSBC, Carver Federal Savings Bank and JPMorganChase. Master of Ceremonies Fred Thomas of the Budweiser “What’s up” commercials presided over the fun-filled festive evening, which included a masquerade art auction, performances by harpist Nia Tuckson, and the Andrew Frazier Quintet. Most importantly, the evening proved to be one of the most important and historical events in the history of African-Americans in Brooklyn, NY, as individuals united to support the development and growth of MoCADA. The festivities began with a cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres, which set the stage for the masquerade art auction. Twelve established and emerging artists from Brooklyn, New York, designed exceptionally elaborate masquerade masks, to be auctioned off by master auctioneer Rodney Dent. Artists who designed masks for the auction included: Danny Simmons, Eric Pryor, Jewel Golden, Tafa, Ann Tanksley, Otto Neals, Eli Kince, Willie Torbert, Leroy Campbell, Francks Deceus, Ken Wright and Laura James. Honorees for the historical evening included: Halima Taha, author of Collecting African American Art-Works on Paper and Canvas; Shelia Evans Tranumn, associate commissioner for the New York State Education Department and Barbara Monica Foster, owner of F&R Installers. MoCADA Director Laurie Cumbo states, “The tremendous support that we have received at this years Masquerade Ball is certainly remarkable and we are looking forward to a bright future as we plan for the future expansion of the organization.” MoCADA has seen much growth and development since last year’s Masquerade Ball. MoCADA is committed to increasing public awareness of the art and culture of the African Diaspora as it relates to contemporary urban issues through innovative exhibitions, public programs and interactive tours. Currently, the organization mounts five exhibitions a year and organizes thirty public programs related to these exhibitions. In addition, MoCADA is very proud of its community out-reach program with Public School 262, high school internship program and educational programs for school groups. The organization also proudly hosts the Annual Kidflix Film Fest of Bed-Stuy each year in Fulton Park. MoCADA is currently developing plans for the creation of a larger facility that will allow the organization an opportunity to broaden the mission of the museum in order to encompass more people and a wider exhibition scope. Integral to the mission of the museum is a focus on the diverse array of artists living, working and creating in Brooklyn. The organization plans to move into a new facility in 2005. For more information on MoCADA contact Laurie Cumbo or Kevin Soltau at (718) 602-4041.