MACON, Ga. – Macon’s Yolanda “Y-O” Latimore (@YtodaO) has been named to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s National Arts Advisory Committee.
The committee of recognized artists and art advocates will guide Knight Foundation on the best ways to promote artistic excellence that engages, inspires and brings communities together.
The foundation’s arts program invests in Macon and seven other cities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers.
A Macon native, Latimore has helped develop community programs that strengthen the performing arts. She is the founder and artistic director of Poetic Peace Arts, which supports emerging lyrical artists, and she is a spokeswoman for the Firehouse Creative Productions’ Bread and Roses Community Initiative, which uses the performing arts to help young girls develop the skills to thrive. Latimore also contributes to community improvement by sitting on the board and fund-raising committee of the Macon Cemetery Preservation Corporation, a nonprofit organization she helped create to restore a historic Macon neighborhood.
“Yolanda is both an artist and an advocate,” said Dennis Scholl, Knight Foundation’s vice president/arts, who announced Latimore’s appointment Monday in Macon. “A dynamic figure, she is exactly what Knight Arts needs to find the best ways to engage communities in the arts.”
“Y-O represents the youthful spirit of arts and culture in Macon,” said Beverly Blake, Macon program director for Knight Foundation. Her creativity, enthusiasm and talent encourages others to fully participate in the arts, and to use the arts as a vehicle for building a vibrant community.
In addition to her background in community programming, Latimore also has extensive experience in communications. For eight years, Latimore has served as a local radio personality, as cohost of WIBB 97.9’s daily morning show; she currently writes a monthly op-ed in both the Macon Telegraph and Macon Food and Culture Magazine. Recently, she started her own media company, Like Water Publicity.
“There are so many ways the arts can benefit our communities, but without the right direction, it’s hard to keep them afloat,” Latimore said. “Working with such a diverse and experienced group is sure to produce some great ideas; I’m very enthusiastic about joining the team.”
Last fall, six Macon cultural groups received $77,000 in funding from Knight Foundation; among them were the Macon Film Festival, the Hayiya Dance Theater and the Tubman African American Museum.
For more about the Knight Arts program, visit www.KnightArts.org.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote informed and engaged communities and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.
Contact: Marc Fest, 305-908-2677; [email protected]