Established following the events of September 11, 2001, I've been deeply honored to serve as Founding Chairman and President of a non-profit organization responsible for the creation of multiple, bridge-building programs focused on the critically important lessons of diversity, tolerance, and shared national heritage at the heart of American culture. Lessons that remain equally vital around the world today.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
(Margaret Mead)
The focus of my work in creating the programs of the Center for Jazz Arts was to make possible an innovative, new platform of engagement for students, educators, artists, authors, and the broader public, from every generation.
Through its commitment to the development of educational and cultural programs involving the fields of American Studies, European Studies, Women's Studies, Filmmaking, Broadcast, Photography, Graphic Design, Illustration, Journalism, and Performing Arts, multiple Internet-based, in-school, and community-based programs were established.
For more than ten-years, the programs of the Center for Jazz Arts made possible free community presentations to schools and other community groups, made video-based educational programming available to local public broadcasters, and provided the public with a wealth of rare, online resources.
"You can close your eyes to the things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to the things you don't want to feel."
(Johnny Depp)
Working closely with numerous institutions throughout the United States and Europe, the Center for Jazz Arts has touched the lives of thousands.
As one of the most far-reaching of its programs, the "American Stories Project" has brought together veterans and survivors of WW-II, and their families, to share their inspiring stories of American music's role during one of the most challenging periods in world history.
Through this important program, I've been blessed to meet some of the dearest friends I've ever known, who remain in my heart always.