Reel Sisters 21st Anniversary Film Festival,

Carolyn Butts

Carolyn A. Butts is the publisher/founder of African Voices, a leading arts magazine devoted to publishing fine art and literature by artists of color. The magazine celebrates 25 years in April 2018. Carolyn is also the founder of the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series (www.reelsisters.org), the first annual Brooklyn-based festival that showcases films produced, directed and written by women of color.  Reel Sisters is the first Academy Qualifying Film Festival for Shorts devoted to women of color and provides opportunities for women in the film industry. Carolyn was recently featured in 50Bold.com (https://50bold.com/carolyn-butts-builds-bridges-fulfills-dreams/) for her accomplishments.

A trailblazer, Carolyn has increased the visibility of Black and Latino artists in literature, film and art. The magazine continues to be an outlet for emerging writers to publish fiction, poetry and art. African Voices has published more than 2,500 writers and artists since its inception. Carolyn’s work in publishing and the arts has earned her many distinguished honors including National Writers Union’s Louis Reyes Rivera Excellence Award for Educators 2015, 2017 Proclamation from the NYC Council, LIU’s Living History: A Tribute to Excellent Award 2013, Women in Media Award 2010 and Spirit of A Woman Firestarter Award 2013. In December 2017, She was honored at City Hall and presented with a Proclamation from City Councilmember Jumaane Williams and the City Council for her support of women filmmakers and artists.

She recently curated the film selections for the 14th National Black Writers Conference held from March 22-25, 2018 at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.