Grassroots Artists Movement (G.A.ME)
Omowale Adewale, Mutulu Olugbala, Nehen Jalloh-Adewale & Francis Pena, Co-Founders
G.A.ME is a membership organization addressing sociopolitical and economic realities facing low-income Black and Latino communities. Galvanizing the influence of hip-hop culture, G.A.ME unites artists and community members to work side-by-side for social justice. G.A.ME runs youth leadership and community development programs.
Youth programs emphasize education, critical thinking and practical skills for community organization and advocacy. An Alternative-to-Incarceration program addresses the severity of youth incarceration and assists 13 to 18 year-olds who have been arrested, charged or convicted with minor offenses in Bronx courts. A youth-run green market distributes health information and increases healthy food awareness. Other G.A.ME programs include the Healthcare Network and International Artist Union (IAU) that seek health services and a universal healthcare bill for low-income communities. IAU provides artists with networking and educational opportunities, and organizes concerts that publicize social justice concerns.