December 9, 2008

Because of you, we are poised to do so well...

IMPACT Repertory Theatre and New Heritage Theatre Group would like to extend heartfelt thanks for your loyal and steadfast support over the past years. 2008 has been a year of outstanding achievements for us: from our Oscar nomination and stellar performance at the Academy Awards in February, to our recent submission in this year's Grammy Music Awards, we are thrilled to be able to embrace 2009 in a spirit of enthusiasm and great anticipation. We are poised to do so well!

None of our successes could have been achieved without our patrons, supporters, family and friends. As the year draws to a close, we are very proud to highlight some of IMPACT's greatest achievements over this past year, and to solicit once more, your much-needed support for 2009.


Since its inception in 1997, more than 1000 young people have gone through our Arts and Leadership Rites of Passage program and have left with life skills that have empowered them to become cultural ambassadors for Harlem and assume leadership socially, academically and culturally. Our programs in youth development, creative arts, and community activism have transformed the lives of our members, many of whom have gone on to assume leadership roles in our nation's top colleges and universities, making invaluable contributions within the various Community Colleges, Historically Black Colleges, and the Ivy League where they are enrolled.

Your commitment and dedicated support has impacted thousands of lives!

IMPACT continues to RISE!

Still from the film August Rush featuring "Raise it Up" by IMPACT Repertory Theatre.

"Raise it Up" was nominated for an Academy Award and has been submitted to the Grammy Award committee for consideration in the "Best Soundtrack" category.

As we get ready to embrace next year's challenges, we are prepared to work even harder to achieve our goals: Youth Empowerment and Leadership Training Through the Arts. This year alone, IMPACT's work has been featured ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and the New York Daily News, Harlem News Group, Amsterdam News, Positive Community magazine, Beacon, Daily Challenge and the New York Times in addition to the broadcast of our Oscar performance into more than 1 billion homes and over 200 hundred countries across the world.

Walk with us, as we stride towards even greater excellence! We are poised to do so well, but we know we cannot get there without you. Demonstrate your faith in us by continuing to contribute to IMPACT as we step with pride, into 2009.


Sincerely,

Voza Rivers, co-Founder / Executive Producer Jamal Joseph, co-Founder / Executive Artistic Director