ABOUT US

Artists For Advocacy International is a volunteer-based advocacy organization whose mission is to use the arts to change and advocate for some of the most important issues of our time, such as world hunger and HIV/AIDS. AFAINT uses a variety of art such as spoken word poetry, photography, music, and painting to ignite awareness and social change. Our goal is to allow talented artists to use their artistic gifts for sale and/or awareness for charitable purposes, such as our financing and building of a 10,000 liter water tank in drought stricken areas of Kenya! We sponsor these artists with funds donated by giving people like yourself with the tools they need to use their art to be a beacon of light and advocacy in the world. In return these artists within the organization host charity events educating and creating awareness about social dilemmas. We also partner with other organizations to further their mission by holding fundraisers for them or sharing our arts at their events to further their cause. To learn how to become an artist with AFAINT, partner with us, or hire our artists to assist furthering your humanitarian efforts click here!

In the spring of 2006, AFAINT founder, Brandon Plain, joined with Angelia Sanders of Tamani Africa to discover that a free HIV testing center in Kendu Bay, Kenya was not reaching its full potential. Together, they set out to build a new VCT (Volunteer Counseling and Testing Center) by simply using the arts and their love for humanity. By the spring of 2007 with the help of friends, family, and other organizations, the VCT was completed and AFAINT was born. Since then, AFAINT has embarked on numerous endeavors such as building water tanks for primary schools, feeding programs for impoverished children, HIV awareness and advocacy campaigns in Hampton Roads, and donating funds to people affected by HIV in eastern Africa. AFAINT has worked with The Aids Fund, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), pharmaceutical companies and other organizations to advocate for issues ranging from HIV/AIDS to domestic violence. We dedicate our lives and our artistic talents to make this world a safe, comfortable and enjoyable place for all of us to live. You can find more information on AFAINT's fundraising events and current projects by clicking the links. Please take a look.

It's because of caring people like yourself AFAINT's future is looking very bright! Everyday AFAINT is recruiting new and enthusiastic artists and volunteers to advocate and raise funds for new projects and create awareness for world problems that have yet to be resolved. We are looking forward to incorporating culinary arts, more painters, and dance into the arena of AFAINT. Artists for Advocacy International is also hoping to work with other organizations to expand their advocacy goals. We have already teamed up with The AIDS Fund, C2EA and Transitions to create awareness for issues such as domestic violence and HIV/AIDS. AFAINT is also currently working on expanding to other countries such as South Africa and Peru, as well as enhancing advocacy for projects nationally. Currently, AFAINT has feeding programs, large clean water projects, and other projects, internationally. Locally, we have educational programs about HIV/AIDS and awareness benefits about world hunger, water shortages, and other social dilemmas. To get involved and keep AFAINT'S future strong in the fight against poverty and injustice fill out the application and become an artist, volunteer, and/or donor! It's with your love and support that we have been able to stay a beacon of artistic light in the world, so please continue to support us.

Vol. Dir. of Operations Kristina Griffin gives away candy to children in Kenya. Copyright AFAINT2010

Exec. Director and Founder of AFAINT speaks at the OBAMA/MCCAIN debates in Oxford, MISS./Copyright AFAINT 2010