2023 Visionary Leadership Award
Join us as we honor Leah Penniman, Award-Winning Black Kreyol Farmer & Food Justice Activist, at our 13th Annual Visionary Leadership Award Ceremony!
Attendees will listen in as Penniman discusses her impactful work and vision for a future of food sovereignty and racial equity with Lucy Nalpathanchil, Vice President of Community Engagement at CT Public and former host of Where We Live. The talk will culminate with the award acceptance and feature a special artistic performance...stay tuned for more information!
This is an exciting opportunity to reconnect and network, support the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, and be inspired by Penniman's words as we move forward as a global community. Thanks to our supporters, this event is free. Registration is required.
To make a donation to the event and the Jean Handley fund of any amount without the purchase of a ticket, click here.
5:30PM - 7:00PM | Visionary Leadership Award, featuring Leah Penniman in conversation with Lucy Nalpathancil, FREE with reservation
7:00PM - 8:00PM | Post-Show Reception, Visionary and Premiere Ticket buyers and sponsors
Please consider supporting this event and the International Festival of Arts & Ideas' Jean Handley Fund with the purchase of a Visionary or Premiere Ticket. Your support includes access to the post-show reception and meet-and-greet, featuring catering from Orchid Cafe and an opportunity to keep the conversation going with Leah Penniman and your fellow community and philanthropic leaders.
Learn More about our Visionary Leadership Award
Questions? Contact Katrice Kemble, Development Manager, at 203.498.3704 or kkemble@artidea.org.
Interested in learning more about sponsorship and advertisement opportunities? Contact Ed Perley, Corporate Giving Manager, at 203.498.3705 or eperley@artidea.org.
Public Health Policy
Guests are welcome to wear masks, however masks will not be required at this event. Please note that this policy may change as government and venue recommendations evolve. Any changes will be communicated on this website and to ticket holders via email. Updated as of 1/6/2023.
If this policy inhibits your participation in this event, please contact Katrice at kkemble@artidea.org for more information about accessibility options.
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas encourages vaccination and testing to help keep our community safe and allow us to continue to celebrate great art and big ideas together. Learn more about testing and vaccination here: https://covid19.newhavenct.gov/pages/covid-19-vaccination

About The Lab at ConnCORP
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas is proud to host the 13th-annual Visionary Leadership Awards at The Lab at ConnCORP. Located on the New Haven-Hamden border (496 Newhall Street), The Lab at ConnCORP is a learning and knowledge center—a laboratory for new ideas—a community hub and place to present, share, and exchange ideas about business ownership and entrepreneurship. Learn more.
Thank You to the VLA Committee Members
Michael E. Twitty
Ruby H. Melton
Christine Kim
Shannon Mykins
Thank You to the Visionary Supporters
Judy and Steve August
Elsie B. Chapman
Bob and Priscilla Dannies
Gary Desir and Deborah Dyett Desir
Gordon and Shelley Geballe
William Graustein
Penn and Diane Holsenbeck
Kiki and Ted Kennedy, Jr.
Roslyn Milstein Meyer and Jerome Meyer
Shelley Quiala and Tony Hanson
Betsy Sledge
Lisa Stanger and Greg Colodner
Sponsors & Partners
This event is free and open to the public. Free reservations are required.
Paid tickets support the Jean Handley Fund and give ticket holders access to an exclusive post-show reception with the honoree.
—————————————————————————
Visionary Ticket(s) $300 per person
- Admittance to the talk and award ceremony with reserved premiere seating
- Access to an exclusive post-show reception with the awardee
- A copy of Leah Penniman’s book Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm's Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land
- Special recognition in the event program, on the event webpage, and on event signage
- Paid tickets to this fundraiser support the Jean Handley Fund for the International Festival of Arts & Ideas
Premiere Ticket(s) $150 per person
- Admittance to the talk and award ceremony with reserved premiere seating
- Access to an exclusive post-show reception with the awardee
- Paid tickets to this fundraiser support the Jean Handley Fund for the International Festival of Arts & Ideas
Regular Ticket(s) FREE
- Admittance to the talk and award ceremony
- This ticket level is FREE, but reservations are required!