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About Us
In June 1994, four women, Tracye Burr-Mitchell, Peggy Ellis, Glenda Masingale Manson and Linda Smith who had recently relocated to Bloomington-Normal from different areas of the United States began discussing over a business lunch the void of cultural activities and outlets for African American women in the community. The women decided to form an organization geared toward providing support and cultural activities for African American women. The group was named SisterFriends.

In 1999, the organization evolved from hosting art shows in private homes to bringing the exhibits to the public and inviting residents in Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, Peoria, Springfield, Charleston, Chicago, and St. Louis. The SisterFriends group today functions as a non-profit organization known as Sisters & Friends.
Over the past decade, Sisters & Friends has collaborated with numerous civic-minded organizations, such as the Black Business Alliance, BroMenn Regional Medical Center, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Leadership Illinois, McLean County Arts Center, and others, to boost cultural awareness, provide a forum to learn about community resources and offer support through volunteerism
Unique Mission

Sisters & Friends is a one-of-a-kind group devoted to improving opportunity and quality of life in the community through
its mission of:

  • Increasing awareness of African American art and artists of the African Diaspora through fine art exhibitions and events
  • Enhancing awareness of the artists’ contributions to the community
  • Serving as an advocate to expose youth to the arts
  • Supporting and preserving the legacy of African American artists and artists of the African Diaspora
  • Awarding an annual scholarship to deserving African American students majoring in the arts
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