2019 Heat Respite Coordinator
Clottee A. Hammons grew up in the segregated downtown Phoenix area and is the granddaughter of a 10th Calvary Buffalo Soldier. She views that legacy with pride and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Ms. Hammons’ organization Emancipation Arts resides at Phoenix Center for the Arts. She is a Visual Artist, Curator, Writer, Poet, Activist, Educator and Prevention Specialist.
Emancipation Arts motto: “I promise you will learn what schools will not teach.”
She views her special call as a “community builder” and works in grateful collaboration with numerous artists, organizations and individuals while being conscientious and mindful of honoring her ancestors. She organized the Hub Artists Collective and served on the Artlink Board of Directors. Ms. Hammons taught Art Theory and techniques to students [K - 8], differently abled students as well as seniors. She also provided a focused arts program to women in a domestic violence shelter environment.
In addition to teaching Art, Ms. Hammons provides educations and information to groups and individuals about prevention and harm reduction approaches to HIV/AIDS, STIs, substance dependence, poverty and homelessness. Ms. Hammons is a phlebotomist that has conducted hundreds of HIV tests and provided counseling. She is currently revising an edition of a comprehensive course and syllabus for presentations to young people about sexual awareness and perceptions.
Ms. Hammons is passionate about literature, history, libraries and librarians. She is the creator and ongoing facilitator of the Emancipation Marathon; which is a literary tradition that honors the victims of American Chattel Slavery. The Emancipation Marathon will celebrate twenty two seasons in June 2019. The Bona Fide Blues Re- view CD will be released January 19th and is a facet of the multidisciplinary Great Migration –Indiscernibles in Arizona project; which will be on exhibition at Arizona State University School of Human Evolution and Social Change.
She is the co-creator and facilitator of The Inspired Truth Series which are readings: community conversations, inspired by literature which is read publicly during the Emancipation Marathon. Ms. Hammons was the recipient of an Arizona Humanities Council grant [supported by the NEH & ALA] which brought the national “Making Sense of the Civil War” program to Phoenix. She has also been the recipient of a grant from the Cultural Arts Coalition.
“I have been a fan of the Heat Respite Program at Grace Lutheran Church for many years and I am now excited to have the opportunity to participate. The iconic “Hierarchy of Needs” (Love & Belongingness, Safety, Esteem and Self-Actualization) can be realized under one air conditioned roof!”