meet Shavonne banks-davis, recipient of $10K grant from BeyGood and naacp small business impact fund

Theatre Teaching Artist & Acting Coach ShaVonne Banks-Davis and her company Acting With Mrs. Davis got a huge lift from Beyoncé Carter’s BeyGOOD foundation and the NAACP. NAACP Empowerment Programs in union with BeyGOOD’s Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund united to expand economic opportunity by awarding grants of $10,000 on the 15th of each month through the end of 2020.
Acting With Mrs. Davis injects Theatre Arts into local youth programs to foster creativity, inspire youth, grow educators, build positive culture, and support creative arts within the community. Davis’ primary goal is to provide free Theatre Arts programs and opportunities for youth worldwide. This change, however, began at home.
Upon returning from Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts, the Fort Worth native taught in the Fort Worth, Dallas, and Grand Prairie School Districts. While teaching, she realized the potency with which she could reach her students, their shared love of Theatre Arts.
Acting With Mrs. Davis injects Theatre Arts into local youth programs to foster creativity, inspire youth, grow educators, build positive culture, and support creative arts within the community. Davis’ primary goal is to provide free Theatre Arts programs and opportunities for youth worldwide. This change, however, began at home.
Upon returning from Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts, the Fort Worth native taught in the Fort Worth, Dallas, and Grand Prairie School Districts. While teaching, she realized the potency with which she could reach her students, their shared love of Theatre Arts.
I really hope that the recognition provides more opportunities and collaborations with other like-minded individuals and organizations so I can expand my programs for the community. There is so much hidden talent in our community and our youth need a creative outlet to express themselves”, Davis shared. She continues, I also want to thank Clark Atlanta University and my favorite Professor, the late Carol Mitchell-Leon for showing me the tools to be a compassionate educator and leader. I live by the CAU motto, ‘I will find a way or make one.’"
Through Acting With Mrs. Davis, ShaVonne Banks-Davis seeks to impact change within communities throughout the DFW area, nationally and even globally, saying, “There are so many life skills to be learned from the study of Theatre. It is not only acting, but public speaking, critical thinking, team-building, culture, and self-confidence are all by-products of the academia of Theatre.”
After spending time in Davis’ classroom, students with no experience and no initial interest in Theatre were soon performing for the community, winning Theatre competitions, and being accepted into advanced Fine Arts programs.
This momentous joy punctuates Davis’ vision for her company. Acting With Mrs. Davis is a rescue for many children who regularly experience the heartbreak of having to discontinue their pursuit (of Theatre/Acting) because they can’t afford youth acting programs. Davis learned firsthand while teaching at-risk youth that the challenge is seldom interest, the real challenge is affordability. Knowing that many parents can’t afford extra-curricular enrichment programs is at the heart of Acting With Mrs. Davis’ activism through the arts.
Acting With Mrs. Davis endeavors to pay it forward, ensuring that cost will never be a deterrent to youth experiencing an opportunity to learn and love theatrical expression. Thanks to the NAACP’s Empowerment Programs partnership with BeyGOOD’s Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund, Acting with Mrs. Davis will provide free virtual Theatre Arts classes for children ages 2-18 beginning with its spring season which begins in February.
Mrs. Davis also plans to make a scholarship donation to the Maroon 9 Virtual Fine Arts Competition and is currently conceptualizing the 2nd Annual DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit for Middle and High School students. Last summer’s immense success was celebrated throughout the metroplex and in the mentoring and youth advocacy communities. The funds will also aid in the planning and preparation for the “Youth Need Love” summer program for previously adjudicated youth.
Connect with Acting With Mrs. Davis on Social Media on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
After spending time in Davis’ classroom, students with no experience and no initial interest in Theatre were soon performing for the community, winning Theatre competitions, and being accepted into advanced Fine Arts programs.
This momentous joy punctuates Davis’ vision for her company. Acting With Mrs. Davis is a rescue for many children who regularly experience the heartbreak of having to discontinue their pursuit (of Theatre/Acting) because they can’t afford youth acting programs. Davis learned firsthand while teaching at-risk youth that the challenge is seldom interest, the real challenge is affordability. Knowing that many parents can’t afford extra-curricular enrichment programs is at the heart of Acting With Mrs. Davis’ activism through the arts.
Acting With Mrs. Davis endeavors to pay it forward, ensuring that cost will never be a deterrent to youth experiencing an opportunity to learn and love theatrical expression. Thanks to the NAACP’s Empowerment Programs partnership with BeyGOOD’s Black-Owned Small Business Impact Fund, Acting with Mrs. Davis will provide free virtual Theatre Arts classes for children ages 2-18 beginning with its spring season which begins in February.
Mrs. Davis also plans to make a scholarship donation to the Maroon 9 Virtual Fine Arts Competition and is currently conceptualizing the 2nd Annual DFW Virtual Youth Enrichment Summit for Middle and High School students. Last summer’s immense success was celebrated throughout the metroplex and in the mentoring and youth advocacy communities. The funds will also aid in the planning and preparation for the “Youth Need Love” summer program for previously adjudicated youth.
Connect with Acting With Mrs. Davis on Social Media on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube