FOUNDER

Alicia Thompson is as an international thespian and writer from the “land of wood and water” know as Jamaica.  She is the founder and CEO of Artistry is Ministry (AIM). AIM uses theatrical arts to help educate and inspire youth to tackle issues and build their self-esteem.

 

Alicia's love for performing arts began at an early age when she performed in school and church plays.  Some of her earliest influences are actresses Madge Sinclair, Cheryl Lee Ralph, and the iconic Jamaican poet, folklorist and writer Louise Bennett who worked to preserve the practice of presenting poetry, folk songs and stories to discuss everyday life and social issues. Alicia performed at a theatre festival with her elementary school in Montego Bay and was awarded a four-year scholarship to attend the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts for four summers.

 

She started Artistry is Ministry as a solo theatre artist where she created, staged and directed a few projects such as "I Am My Hair" which deals with issues of self-image and acceptance of authentic beauty and another monologue project entitled “I Salute You Good Men” that explore the good man theory and showing appreciation.  Some of the performances were presented at Yale University for the Bridgeport GEAR UP students and their parents, the Secret Theatre Solo Show Festival in New York, Resilient Women Empowerment Conference, Project Resiliency Women in the Arts, the InterACTion Symposium at Housatonic Community College, Stratford Partnership Youth and Families Freshman Forum, Bridgeport Girls Rock Awards, and other speaking engagements.

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After doing her first TEDx Talk in 2019 entitled "the antidote to low self-esteem," Alicia wanted to do more for her community and youth.  She realized the impact she had and turned Artistry in Ministry into a mission driven platform to help youth tackle issues through theatrical arts being used as a pathway to self-improvement, essential life skills and community impact.