The Made in America festival is known for its incredible performances, but what some people don’t know is that it has an element of community outreach. Cause Village includes approximately 56 charitable organizations. They are housed in this hub on everything from education to voter registration, animal welfare, hunger, homelessness, arts and culture, financial literacy, environmental sustainability, social justice and civil rights.
The Cause Village signage is a dynamic design that uses art to highlight non-profit organizations. Each artist uses different creative mediums to highlight their organization. It is also a popular Instagram photo spot for many attendees.
Dania Diaz, managing director of philanthropy at Roc Nation, said:
Since the festival’s inception in 2012, Cause Village has been an integral part of it. Over 2 days, we average over 15,000 social actions every year.
This year’s festival offers an opportunity for local Philadelphia artists and students to help curate the Cause Village art installation that will be on display at Benjamin Franklin Parkway over Labor Day weekend.
“One aspect of the festival is that it celebrates not only music, but also the contributions of communities and people, and individuality.
Philadelphia-area artists and students were encouraged to submit uplifting, community-focused designs that will be featured in the festival’s 20-foot-tall Cause Village letters.
“This is a place that encourages community and young people to get involved,” Diaz said.
The winning design was submitted by the artist through the Cause Village website.
Here are the artists selected from hundreds of submissions to create the iconic letters that make up the organization’s name.
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Theosis Damian works in a variety of mediums, including 3D animation, automated ballpoint drawing, and surreal painting. His artwork includes the letter E for Case.
Khalid E. Dennis aka BKL Visions has been a professional artist for eight years. His work is published in his S in Cause.
De’von Downes is a contemporary portrait artist who uses people of African descent as inspiration. His work embraces the letter U for Cause.
Alisha Laws, also known as Exhibit A, is a self-taught artist, mother, clinical therapist and photographer. Her work concentrates on communities at risk and appears in the letter A of Cause.
Demont Picasso Binder is an internationally acclaimed artist. His work chronicles the history of our time through a variety of mediums and is displayed in his L in the village.
Peace + Love was founded by Rochelle Satchel and Herman Davis in memory of their sister who was a victim of domestic violence. They’ve been with Cause Village for six years and promote positivity.
Anna Sheller is a student at Thomas Jefferson University. She expresses her love for nature and Philadelphia through her art. The letter G in the village is where visitors can see her abilities.
Sam Stern is a Senior in Fashion Design at Thomas Jefferson University. As a member of his LGBTQIA+ community, he uses art to fight for equality and equal rights. His work forms the letter E of the Village.
Jihan A. Thomas is a visual artist, mother, community and arts educator in North Philadelphia. These abilities are denoted by the letter C for Cause.
Terrance Vann is an award-winning illustrator, muralist and fine artist based in Philadelphia. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and can now be seen by visitors to Made in America at The Village’s Letter V.
Trevon Youell is a high school senior from Philadelphia. He was the youngest of the artists selected and his work appears in the letter A of the cause.
With these incredible artists, Cause Village will once again collaborate with the organizations that make up Made in America’s social impact hub. Each of the organizations listed below works to make the world a better place, and participation in the festival reaffirms their commitment to providing entertainment with a purpose.
1Hood, AcctPhilly, Banksgiving, Beam, Black Voters Matter, Bluesbabefoundation, Bridgestowealth, CovenanthousePennsylvania, Dare2hope, Frontline Dads, GALAE!, GATHERING FOR JUSTICE, HabitatforHumanityPhiladelphia, Halfamillionkids, Headcount, Peace+Love, MothersinCharge, Nomofoundation, Pennsylvania Prison Foundation, Philadelphia Prison Foundation Public Health, PhiladelphiaWorks, Planned Parenthood, ReformAlliance, RocSchool of Music, Sports and Entertainment, School District of Philadelphia, Shared Food Program, Shawn Carter Foundation, Team Enough, Unity in Communities.
This year’s festival headliners are Bad Bunny, Tyler the Creator, and LiL Uzi Vert from Philadelphia.