Page 17 - The fayetteville Press Newspaper Apri l& May 2025

The Fayetteville Press April/May 2025 Edition Page 5b

The Region Six Project is Bringing a New Cultural Arts Center to Downtown Fayetteville!

by Cynthia Wilson - PhD Note: In 1976 The Organizations of the African Union recognized five
Calling all BIPOC visual artists, photographers, videographers, producers regions on the continent of Africa: North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa,
and podcasters seeking a space to create and grow your business! A new, multi- East Africa, and Southern Africa. https://au.int. The African Union (Successor
level culture and arts center will be opening in the Self-Help building at 100 Hay to the OAU) officially recognized a sixth region in 2012 which encompasses
Street. Carmela McKeller, founder and president of Region Six Project, Inc., has people of African descent residing outside of the continent and referred to as the
been spearheading an effort to increase the visibility of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, African Diaspora. It is estimated that during the transatlantic slave trade be-
People of Color) artists and their work in Fayetteville’s downtown arts district. tween twelve million and 15 million Africans were taken from the African con-
This interview captures Carmela McKeller’s comments about the development of tinent by Europeans to ports in North America, Brazil, the European colonies in
the project. She graciously shared this information exclusively for the readers of the Caribbean, and Spanish territories in Central and South America. Source:
the Fayetteville Press. National Park Service. Nps.gov. The African diaspora includes the descen-
How did you come up with the idea of opening the Region Six Project dants of the 12 to 15 million people stolen from the African continent.
Culture & Arts Center in downtown Fayetteville? Carmela: The Region Six Project will create ways to share and document
Carmela: For the past 12 years, I have worked alongside my husband, Attor- our culture. Others can write our story but the most authentic voice is ours.
ney Rudy Smith, with his practice in the Self-Help building. Walking into the The cultural respect Jessica Harris’ shows in her book, High on the Hog, A
building three years ago, I told him that I would love to have the vacant first floor culinary Journey from Africa to America, had to written by someone from the
space. Empty since COVID 19 caused the former tenant—a day care center—to African Diaspora. I envision a gift shop where your readers can buy items
move out, the room with its high ceilings and light streaming in through the tall made on the continent or other areas of the African diaspora. Gallery visitors
windows is a beautiful space. He asked what I would do with the space and I said will be able to purchase works of art.
that I didn’t know. The day after saying this out loud, out of the blue, I got a call You described forming the Region Six Project in 2022. What has hap-
from the building’s leasing manager asking me if I could provide access to the 1 st pened since then?
floor space. It was a “God Wink”. I laughed and shared that I was just “wishing” Carmela: The building’s HVAC system was seriously damaged in a fire
for the space. She asked what I would do with it. In words that I know were not and that system had to be replaced. Though the damage was localized to the
my own because I had never thought them before, I gave an elevator pitch of using HVAC system, it took time for the building’s owners to work with the insur-
the space for BIPOC artist that don’t often have space or representation in the ance company on the claim, bid out and then secure a contractor, and then
downtown arts community. 48 hours later I was presented with the opportunity complete the work. And we were just coming out of COVID so supply chains
to acquire the space. It was a “God Shout” and I listened. were a mess. The owners decided on other construction projects, such as
That was back in 2022. Tell us what has taken place that brings you to upgrading the bathrooms.
looking at a summer 2025 opening. Carmela McKeller When I sought my spiritual counsel, she said “We’re going to move in
Carmela: First, I had to answer the question, “What would you do with the the spirit of Joshua on this trusting that God will remove the obstacles.”
space?” As you can imagine, Rudy was the first to ask me that question. I also Throughout it all I remind myself of those words. “I move in the spirit of
talked with my sons, one of whom has a master’s degree from UNC School of the work. A community space where their work is available to see and Joshua.” Leading the Israelites, Joshua 6:1-27 obediently walked six days in a
Arts in film production and the other minoring in African American History at purchase beyond Black, Hispanic and Native American History row around the walled city of Jericho. They walked around a seventh day—
Wake Forest University. Together we discussed the need and envisioned the possi- months. We are quite fortunate to have an Arts Council that does an and the walls came tumbling down. I believe God planted a seed three years ago
bilities. As importantly, I conferred with my spiritual council (who is also my line amazing job of including artwork reflective of our community and our for such a time as this. The obstacles around space have come down. Next, we
sister – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.) for prayer and help in discerning what world. The Region Six Project seeks to be a “go to space” in work on programming.
God was calling me to do in this situation. I then reached out to folks in my Cumberland County for BIPOC Culture and Arts. Carmela McKeller, thank you for spending time with the
network connected with the creative arts on the vision and the possibilities. I then The Self-Help organization has been invaluable in this endeavor. Fayetteville Press to give background on the Region Six project. In our
formed the Region Six Project, Inc., a non-profit organization to do the work I have They saw the vision and actively engaged in helping to make it a next interview, we’ll ask you about the programs you have in mind for
st
been called to do. reality. It started with the 1 floor gallery/gift shop flex space con- the spaces.
A few of your readers may know of me through my student advocacy work cept; then extended to the mezzanine for photography, videography
rd
on behalf of students in Cumberland County Schools. Through the Region Six and podcasts; and then on to the 3 floor of artist studios and class- For the visual artist, videographer, photographer, or podcaster who
Project, I want to create a space so children can engage in the arts, see themselves room/conference room space. would like to talk with you about using Region Six Project space, what’s the best
in the works and have an opportunity to learn of their rich histories. A space where What is the meaning of the name, Region Six Project? way to reach you?
the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists can create & display their Carmela: The name is a play on the sixth region of the African Carmela: Please reach out to me carmela@rsixp.org. Thank you!
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