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Meet Our Founder

Anthony Avery is an award nominated recording artist, educator, community activist and visionary. He has been working in the arts industry for over 20 years and in non-profits for almost a decade. From a very young age he had a passion for the arts which manifested through Music(Vocal, Viola, and Directing/Arranging), Dance(Modern, Contemporary & Hip-Hop), and Theatre professionally performing from the age of 11. He served as Music Director for the now Historic Morgan State University Memorial Chapel where he co-founder his first nonprofit ministry Voices of Praise Gospel Choir made of of MSU Students, Staff and Community Members and ran from 2007-2014. During this time he also performed with Morgan State University Choir most notably performing in the Choir for it's two appearances Carnegie Hall once with Bobby McFerrin and second, with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for the anniversary performance and professional recording of The Bernstein Mass which would be nominated for a Grammy that year. He later worked as an Independent Gospel Artist producing multiple award nominations for songs, albums and artistry which particular critical praise for his songwriting skills. In 2019 in an effort to be true to his own art he became a Pop/Soul Artist where he could express his music not only as a Black man but also as a proud and openly Gay man as well. His debut album found him much critically praise and success on the independent scene. He is an active member and light house in his community having served as a Baltimore City School Teacher & Program Coordinator for 9 years allowing him to further work with nonprofits including Elev8 Baltimore, Art with A Heart, Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center and more. He is a former National President of Choir Psi Phi National Music Society, Inc. where he also founded three Chapters in the Maryland region. He is a member Ancient Free & Accepted Mason of Maryland, a devoted husband and father of two. In 2021, after years of benefitting from amazing guidance, support, resources and network afforded to him over the years Anthony had the vision to give back to the Arts Community that had be such an influential village to him over the years. He founded Tony Aye Artistry with the hope that no artists ever has to feel neglected, discouraged, dismissed and most importantly discredited for their art. He is committed to creating a modern day resource and hub for all Artists of every background, styles and demographic to find a platform to help them reach the success they envision for themselves and to ensure that the contributions of Artists in our communities stays an essential and impactful staple in our world. Anthony maintains that Art has no limits when it comes to how it is expressed and is committed to hearing every Artist say "I am S.A.F.E." & "I Come First!"

Our Vision Statement

At Tony Aye Artistry, every person understands the esoteric qualities of sound and its ability to express emotion and ideas beyond words and pictures. We know that Arts have ALWAYS been used to influence culture, religion, politics, activism and all other types of change on a grand scale and that our role in that change is still imperative! We envision  a world where artists of all skill and experience levels have a safe space and platform to share their art, impact their community and contribute to their representation of their culture without fear of ridicule, prejudice, or walls. That the beauty of the arts can be fully realized as a beautiful voice of change, hope and welcome diversity in our world. We look forward to a future where Artists of all demographics and backgrounds can find success and visibility as artists. And that discrimination in the arts will end and that Artists will be empowered to share and tell their stories in a way that is honest and authentic to them . We hope to educate Artists and the society that supports them in the ways that Art can be used to impact our world in a positive way.

Statements & Core Values

Mission Statement

TONY AYE ARTISTRY FOUNDATION INC.’S  MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY INDEPENDENT ARTIST IS S.A.F.E.(SUPPORTED, AFFIRMED, FUELED, EMPOWERED) BY THE RESOURCES WE PROVIDE, TO ENSURE AN IMPACTFUL & FULFILLING CAREER IN MUSIC.

Diversity & Inclusive Statement

AT TONY AYE ARTISTRY WE STRIVE TO EMPOWER AND CELEBRATE ARTISTS OF EVERY BACKGROUND AND CULTURE. WE VALUE A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION AND WORK EVERYDAY TO MAKE SURE OUR MUSICAL COMMUNITY AND NETWORK IS ALWAYS AT THE FOREFRONT OF REPRESENTATION IN ALL THAT WE DO. WE EMBRACE ARTISTS OF EVERY GENDER,CREED, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, SEXUAL IDENTITY, RELIGION,RACE, MENTAL/EMOTIONAL STATUS AND DO NOT TOLERATE ANY DISCRIMINATORY OR BIGOTED BEHAVIOR.

Equity Statement

TONY AYE ARTISTRY UNDERSTAND AND AGREES THAT EQUALITY CANNOT BE REACHED WITHOUT RACIAL EQUITY. WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR CONTINUE TO BE OPPRESSED ON THE BASIS OF RACE. AS A BLACK OWNED AND LGBTQ+ OWNED BUSINESS WE BELIEVE THAT OUTSPOKEN ACTS AND CONVERSATIONS ARE NEEDED TO CHANGE THE TREATMENT OF ALL MARGINALIZED GROUPS BUT ESPECIALLY BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE AND BLACK AND BROWN LGBTQ+ PEOPLE. WE BELIEVE THAT BLACK LIVES MATTERS, AS DO BLACK TRANS LIVES AND CONTINUE TO BE AN ACTIVE PART OF THE CHANGE FOR BETTER TREAMENT OF THESE COMMUNITIES.

Our Core Values

  • - The Artist Comes First

  • - Validate All Artistry

  • - Remember the feeling

  • - Embrace Our Community

  • - Continuously Improve

  • - Act When Integrity

Board of Directors

Tony Aye Artistry is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors of individuals who are dedicated to upholding the Vision,Mission and Structure of the Company. Are you an arts advocate interested in serving on the Board or offering your services as an advisor contact us at info@tonyayeartistry.org

Anthony Avery

Board President

Anthony Thompson-Shaw

Board Treasurer

Shontia Bolden

Board Member

Charles Jones Jr.

Board Member

LeVar Harris Jr.

Board Member

Alyssia Mayheugh

Board Member

Jonathan Sothern

Board Member

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