After reading a Houston Arts Alliance Newsletter, Rathna became familiar with the BANF grant and how applying was a straightforward and uncomplicated process. So far, the award has impacted her personal and professional life. She mentioned, “It felt so good to receive such a sizable grant for the first time!”

Amir explains that the BANF application process was thoughtfully designed as a catalyst to help a group like theirs succeed, unlike other application processes that they had encountered that work more like barriers to exclude BIPOC community members.