NiaKuumba Overview
NIA (Nee-ah) "Purpose" KUUMBA (Koo-M-Bah) "Creativity" - In 1994, three African-Americans, Carol P. Ray, Vernoca L. Michael and Carol M.A. Whitaker (Ray/Whitaker, Inc.) rescued the site, which had undergone significant deterioration. A new non-profit, NIA KUUMBA-The Legendary Blue Horizon, was created to restore the facility to its former glory and provide services to the community. Vernoca L. Michael, co-owner and founder of NIA KUUMBA, has become the first African-American female promoter in Pennsylvania. NIA KUUMBA provides social services and opportunities for youth, young adults, and seniors and serves as a job center not only for the Blue Horizon, but it refers its participants to jobs throughout the area. NIA KUUMBA's mission is to restore this historic facility to its rightful position in the Philadelphia community and to reestablish Philadelphia as a boxing capital by showcasing up-and-coming boxing talent as we make the sport available to the entire public on a regular basis. Further, NIA KUUMBA intends to see that the Legendary Blue Horizon building is returned to its former grandeur and to make it the cultural center of North Broad Street.
This Avenue of the Arts Project was funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Delaware River Port Authority, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation and other private contributors. NIA KUUMBA is offering corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities to sustain and increase community outreach efforts and building improvements. Just click here or go to our You Can Contribute page for more information.
For additional information, please contact us at 215-763-0500 or click here to send an e-mail message.
