Scroll Top

Empowering Communities of Color Through Art and Advocacy: Karisma Pleasant, Artist and Abuse Survivor

Abuse affects individuals of all races, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic classes. However, people of color often face additional challenges within the judicial system. Karisma Pleasant, an artist, and survivor of abuse, personally experienced this bias when seeking help from authorities and courts.

AIR Project-9271

Abuse affects individuals of all races, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic classes. However, people of color often face additional challenges within the judicial system. Karisma Pleasant, an artist, and survivor of abuse, personally experienced this bias when seeking help from authorities and courts.

Early Struggles and Inspiration

Karisma’s painful experiences led her to contemplate suicide at a young age. However, her self-esteem was nurtured by teachers who recognized her talents and encouraged her love for art, which became her lifeline.

Motivated by her healing journey, Karisma established the nonprofit organization A.I.R. Project (Abuse Is Real) to support and advocate for abuse survivors. Currently serving approximately 20 families and at-risk communities in Harris and Fort Bend counties, A.I.R. Project’s impact extends beyond these numbers, positively aiding over 3,000 abuse survivors and 500 families.

AIR-BANF-1
AIR-BANF-2

The BANF grant

When Karisma discovered the BANF grant program through the Houston Arts Alliance, she recognized the opportunity to further A.I.R. Project’s mission. The application process allowed her to highlight the critical need for the organization’s support in the community of abuse survivors. Karisma and her team were elated upon receiving notice of the approved grant. At a time when nonprofits serving people of color were struggling, this support breathed new life into A.I.R. Project. The grant enabled A.I.R. Project to implement an art contest for middle school students, with opportunities to win prizes and participate in the annual “Soles for AIR” community awareness event. The response to the art contest has been so positive that Karisma and her team plans to make it a permanent part of the event.

Expanding Reach and Vision

Thanks to the BANF grant, A.I.R. Project was also able to provide “Bags of Love” containing hygiene products and mental health activities for youth in communities of color. Additionally, a school lacking such a program launched an afterschool art initiative. Inspired by the momentum generated by the grant, Karisma and her team envisions a community healing garden, psychodrama productions, a comic book, and a fashion show in the future.

Overcoming Funding Challenges

Karisma and the A.I.R. Project’s board acknowledged the grant as a vital lifeline for their organization and other BIPOC communities. Historically, resources have flowed primarily to well-established non-profits and for-profit organizations often not founded or led by BIPOC individuals. Finding funding tailored to BIPOC communities has been a significant challenge, making the grant opportunity all the more valuable.


Karisma emphasizes that art is a catalyst for healing and urges the Greater Houston Area to recognize its potential to support and improve mental and social health.. Karisma concludes, “Remember, I have the power, you have the power. Break the silence. Abuse is real! Join A.I.R. Project and take a stand to break the cycle of abuse and violence in communities of color.”