ABOUT US

DAWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that honors, celebrates, and empowers the essential work of BIPOC community frontliners through direct financial support and culturally relevant health-centered programming.

We are dedicated to embodying a culturally and socially transformative energy that transcends boundaries and empowers individuals and communities to find unique solutions to the complex challenges of a rapidly growing city like Austin.

Since 2019, DAWA’s innovative mission of giving to the givers has delivered catalytic social and economic impact in the Live Music Capital. Centering community and culture as conductors creates greater sustainability and resilience for those we choose to honor and serve daily.

OUR THEORY OF CHANGE

Beyond the immediate financial impact, providing human-centered, low-barrier cash assistance allows people to be seen and feel supported, creating a lasting impact on their mental and emotional health/well-being.
Prioritizing Community Frontliners has an amplifying effect on the entire community. Nourishing them, nourishes the whole community.

$288k+

distributed to Community Frontliners

$20k

distributed to 6 BIPOC-led organizations

$40k+

performance fees for Black musicians

1k+

hours of free content produced

See our Measure Impact Report

MEET THE TEAM

Founder/Creative Director

Jonathan 'Chaka' Mahone

is a visionary storyteller who believes in the power of art, and the importance of the artist as a community catalyst for social and cultural change, economic development, healing, planning, and collective conversation.

DAWA Fund Manager

Monique Hatch

is passionate about creating opportunities for the BIPOC community and supporting the growth of people that identify as such.

DAWA Studios Manager

Ever Calderon

is a self-taught audio and video systems engineer, specializes in livestream broadcasting and production. His expertise was critical to the technical direction of DAWA Studios, and has been utilized to produce multiple livestreams in partnership with SXSW, Love,Tito’s, Six Square, and The Pershing. Love for electronics, seeing new people and places, and community brought him to DAWA.