Darkness Rising Project Nonprofit

07/29/2025

She’s BACK! We’re thrilled to welcome back to Darkness RISING: Live, The Black Arts & Mental Health Block Party!

🗓 Saturday 8/23
⏰ 2 - 6pm 
📍 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Plaza, Harlem

Ayana George Jackson is a Bronx, NY native most notably known for her Broadway Debut in Tony Award Winning , where she starred as Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine. She’s toured global stages as a background vocalist for artists like John Legend and Jazmine Sullivan.

Ayana encourages artists to push past fear & anxiety to share their gifts with the world:

“If it scares you, DO IT AFRAID! Someone needs what you’re hiding.”

Don’t miss her incredible performance.
RSVP Now!



07/25/2025

✨We’re honored to welcome the incredible Mona Swain at Darkness RISING: Live, The Black Arts & Mental Health Block Party!

🗓 Saturday 8/23
⏰ 2–6PM
📍 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Plaza, Harlem

About the Artist: Mona is thrilled to join Darkness RISING! Aside from her theatrical achievements, she has also built a social media following of more than 2 million people across her platforms (). Other Credits: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Tina Turner - Alternate), Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier), The Wiz (Dorothy), Legally Blonde (Serena)

Come see her shine live in Harlem!
RSVP: https://bit.ly/NYCDRLive8

07/24/2025

In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re teaming up with for a powerful, trauma-informed art workshop.

Led by healing circle hosts of color, this FREE virtual space is open to all survivors, no art experience needed. We’ll use creative prompts to explore our emotions and experiences, together in community.

This is not a therapy group, but resources will be provided for anyone in need.

Wednesday July 30th
7pm ET
Register via Survivors.org

07/24/2025

🍸Get ready for Darkness RISING: The Juke Joint!

This isn’t just a mixer, it’s a cultural intervention.

Inspired by the movie ‘Sinners’, we’re throwing a juke joint–themed night of music, dance & mental health in Harlem!

🗓 Thursday, August 21 | 6–9PM
📍 Artfull Walls Gallery, Harlem NYC
🎟️ Grab your tickets NOW, before they sell out!

Come dressed in your juke joint best! Be ready to dance, heal & celebrate Black men’s mental health.

All proceeds support Darkness RISING, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
🔗 Tickets via Eventbrite, link in bio!



07/24/2025

🎷Juke Joint Healing + Tools to Thrive - https://mailchi.mp/darknessrisingproject/juke-joint-healing-tools-to-thrive

07/23/2025

Join Wake Local Reentry Council for an impactful ReEntry Simulation. This is vital for us to understand the experience of our community members returning from incarceration.

Register today!

🔥 Amazing response! Our first 60 tickets for the Reentry Simulation were claimed quickly so we’ve just added 20 more!

If you're planning to join us this Friday, register now before they’re gone!

🎟️ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wake-lrc-reentry-simulation-tickets-1415940970559?aff=oddtdtcreator

07/23/2025

Calling all NYC businesses! We’re looking for sponsors for our upcoming Block Party + Mixer, and we want to feature YOU.

We’re currently seeking:
🧁 Food sponsors (lite bites, desserts)
🍹 Drink & alcohol sponsors
💧 Water station sponsors
🎁 Giveaway & raffle item sponsors

Support Black mental health, the arts, and community wellness.
Get get your business featured at both events, on our social media + in our newsletter!

📧 To sponsor: info@darknessrisngproject.org
🌐 Learn more: darknessrisngproject.org

Let’s partner to make an impact!

07/22/2025

🚨 IT’S GIVEAWAY TIME! 🚨

Donate $10 or more by Wednesday 7/23 at 6PM ET to support the REBUILD Program and you’ll be entered to WIN 2 TICKETS to MONSTER JAM in Raleigh on Saturday 7/26 at 1PM! 🛻

1 winner will receive 2 tickets, valued at $100!

Follow these steps to enter:

1️⃣ Donate at least $10 at bit.ly/DRPGives
2️⃣ Send a screenshot/confirmation of your donation to: info@darknessrisingproject.org
3️⃣ That’s it! You’re entered to win!

Every donation helps fund free therapy for justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through our REBUILD Program.

Thanks to our incredible sponsor

07/17/2025

Healing starts with a conversation.

“We need more of our people to take advantage of the healing that is available.”
— Tommy Green
REBUILD Program Participant

Your healing is not just for you. It’s for your community, your family, and the people watching you RISE.

✨ Let this be your sign to reach out, speak up, and take that next step.

➡️ Tag someone who needs to hear this today.

07/15/2025

✨Calling All Volunteers!

NYC, it’s almost time for Darkness RISING: Live 8, our biggest Black Arts & Mental Health Block Party yet! We need YOU.

🗓 Saturday, August 23rd
📍 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Plaza, Harlem
⏰ 2-6pm (short shifts 10am -8pm)

We’re looking for passionate, reliable volunteers to support this celebration of live music, healing resources, dance, food, & community. Help us set up, greet guests, assist vendors, and keep the block party going!

Whether you’re a student, wellness advocate, performer, or someone who just wants to uplift the community, there’s a role for you!

🎶 Live performances
🧡Mental health resources
🛍️ Vendor shopping

📲 Sign up today at darknessrisingproject.org or click the link in our bio!

Be a part of something powerful. Be a part of the movement.

07/14/2025

It’s Minority Mental Health Month. Access to mental health care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Mental wellness is for the whole community. When one of us gets the help we need, we all RISE.

To increase accessibility, we’re raising funds to provide FREE therapy for our community.

📢 Help us reach our goal of 12k by the end of this month by donating, liking, and sharing our mission.

✨ Our mental wellness is revolutionary✨ 



07/11/2025

Mental healthcare is not a luxury. It’s a human right.

1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year, and millions rely on Medicaid for access to therapy, medication, crisis care, and hope.

At Darkness RISING, we witness this daily. For so many of our program participants, Medicaid is a lifeline, making it possible to heal.

Without access to care, people face more crises, more hospitalizations, and more interactions with an already overburdened justice system.

➡️ Whether Medicaid is supported or threatened, we will continue to fight for accessible, culturally competent mental healthcare for Black people and people of color.

This is not just about policy. It’s about people. It’s about survival. It’s about justice.