S. R. Tommie Joins The Native Arts And Cultures Foundation Board Of Directors
VANCOUVER, Wash., Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) announced S. R. Tommie (Seminole Tribe of Florida) now serves on the national non-profit's Board of Directors. "We are very fortunate to have S. R. Tommie join our board," said NACF President/CEO T. Lulani Arquette (Native Hawaiian). "She brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a profound commitment to Native arts and cultures that invigorate us all."
Tommie is the founder and President of Redline Media Group, a full service marketing and advertising agency she set into motion 12 years ago. Her passion for Native American art and many years of collecting led her to the creation of Chupco Indian Art Gallery, which opened its doors in 2002 as a Native American Art Gallery specializing in handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces, crafted exclusively by Native American artists. Prior to creating her own business, Tommie worked over 26 years for the Seminole Tribe of Florida in various governmental and executive capacities.
Tommie's dedication to her tribe has made her a prominent and well-respected leader in the community. Being raised in a matriarchal society, Tommie (Bird Clan) has embraced the unconquered spirit of the strong Seminole women that had to overcome tremendous challenges just to survive and exist in the Native and non-Native world. These teachings have opened her eyes to an immense understanding and appreciation for all people, of all cultures. Tommie exemplifies the spirit of courage and perseverance, and is an inspiration for Native Americans worldwide through her personal and professional accomplishments.
While growing up as a young girl working alongside her grandmother and mother in the orange groves of central Florida to provide for the family, Tommie learned the value of hard work and the disciplines associated with it. Those lessons learned during her early years have played an integral role in the pursuit of her childhood dreams to become a leader among the Seminole people, as well as a successful entrepreneur.
In the 12 years that Redline Media Group has been in business, Tommie has managed to transform it from a start up three-employee company into a multi-award winning agency comprised of nearly 50 employees and top industry professionals, serving both tribal and general market clients in Florida and nationwide. Redline Media Group is most notably known for developing creative advertising campaigns for International iconic brands such as, Hard Rock, NIKE, Harley-Davidson, KIA, HBO and ESPN to name a few.
"I am humbled and honored to have been nominated and accepted to serve on the Board of such a meaningful organization, one that is committed to making a difference in the lives of Native Americans and their communities through artistic expression," said S. R. Tommie. "We have a responsibility to our ancestors to protect the integrity of the arts and culture of our Native people, which allows us to define and strengthen our respective communities. I believe that through unique collaborations and innovative activation strategies, we can expand our reach in the efforts of NACF and the mission to preserve the culture and heritage of our people for generations to come."
Tommie is also the President of Redstar, a successful Indie Record Label, and the Founder and host of an MMA talk show on ESPN Radio "Fighters Fury."
About The Foundation
The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian arts and cultures. With the support of generous arts patrons and cultural advocates, the foundation supports individual artists, organizations and communities through fellowships and a Community Inspiration Program. To see compelling works of Native art and to lend your support to this cultural movement with your donation, please visit: www.nativeartsandcultures.org.
CONTACT: Rupert Ayton, [email protected], 360-314-2421
SOURCE Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
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