Betti Ono > Making a Culture Shift to End Violence Against Black Women 

An EBCF arts and culture grantee, the Betti Ono Foundation is a community-based cultural hub for artists of color to thrive and build power. Founded in 2010 by Oakland native Anyka Howard, Betti Ono amplifies the voices of Black, brown, immigrant, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ artists and communities. They value artmaking as a vehicle for activism, self-determination, community transformation, and cultural resilience. 

Betti Ono has three pillars: 

• The cultural permanence strategy aims to create wealth-building and cooperative ownership opportunities for BIPOC artists, cultural workers, and community-based organizations through land and real estate purchases; 

• The community wellbeing strategy creates autonomous spaces that deepen community connection, foster civic engagement, and extend arts and culture into the fabric of public life; and 

• The ending gender-based violence strategy focuses on implementing survivor-led cultural change initiatives to disrupt the culture of violence.  

According to Anyka, EBCF has played a significant role in these three pillars, particularly in providing general operating funds for self-determination. “EBCF not only has a presence at all our programs but is our philanthropic champion with other funders to reflect our voice and vision,” said Anyka. “There’s general advisement so we know what’s going on with similar grantees on the frontlines. And because of EBCF’s deep commitment to Betti Ono, we have a touchpoint and understand the philanthropic zeitgeist.” 

EBCF has been a long-time supporter of Betti Ono, particularly as the organization lost its brick-and-mortar gallery during the pandemic and transitioned to a mobile operation. The loss could have been devastating, but EBCF helped open doors to other funders. 

“EBCF has been an amplifier of Betti Ono’s goals and programs in philanthropic spaces,” said Anyka. “Even if we’re not in the room, we have a seat at the table, because EBCF is able to influence other decision-makers.” 

This fall, Betti Ono is digging deep into their ending gender-based violence strategy by putting on a five-day cultural week of action called Black Tulip. The event will confront violence against Black women and girls and will include everything from artmaking and performances to a press conference and civic engagement. The goal is to generate support for the national Protect Black Girls & Women Act while amplifying the voices of Black women artists. 

“We’re creating a healing and liberating space to generate a sense of belonging and reclaim public spaces for Black women and girls,” said Anyka. “As an ally, EBCF creates the space for us to grow so that we can use art and culture as a vehicle for self-determination. EBCF listens deeply and links arms with Betti Ono so that we can create more equitable outcomes for our communities.”

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