“A Tribute to Danny Simmons”

by Debra Hand

In the top left image, the young man staring into the camera claims my attention.  His expression seems to say, “My future depends on you.”  In reality, other thoughts are probably crowding his young mind as he explores his imagination through art, but I know in my heart that my assumption is still true.  His future does, in fact, depend on us. And not just some of us -- it depends on every person with the heart and consciousness to understand that his future is in great jeopardy unless we maintain stepping-stones, blueprints, and safe passages for him to find his way through his childhood, his teenage years, and into his adulthood and beyond.  

Danny Simmons understood this critical dynamic. He made it his life’s work to insure that the children in these photos would not be let down. In fact, the photos were taken at  some of the art classes he held for youth.

But Danny Simmons  has done much more for Black culture -- probably more than any other artist of his time. His contribution to culture is immense, immeasurable, and historic. 

Danny Simmons, the visual artist of the family empire that includes his brother “Reverend Run” of Run-DMC, and Russell Simmons --  also helped to bring the world Def Comedy Jam, Def Poetry Jam, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, and several art galleries. 

Danny has long been working in the trenches for Black art and culture… not just for young people, but also for well- established artists.

In fact, many famous Black artists who now stand proudly on world stages showered by vigorous applause, have been discovered or helped along by Rush Arts.

This is why the name Danny Simmons and “Rush Arts” shows up so often in the early-year resumes of so many critically acclaimed Black artists celebrated globally today: Artists such as Kehinde Wiley; Derricks Adams; and Lavette Ballard, have all stood on platforms “scaffolded” into existence by the hard work and sweat of Danny Simmons and the resources of Rush Arts. I, myself, have stood proudly on one such stage created by Rush Arts when I became a Chicago winner in the sculpture category during their national search for the "Next Great Artist."  The renowned painter and sculptor, Gerald Griffin, was also a Chicago winner in the painting category in that same contest during which we were flown to Miami during Art Basel for a phenomenal exhibit.  In another year, the contest brought the work of contest winner, Hebru Brantley, to town during Art Basel where Brantley’s work caught the eye of the rapper and art collector Jay-Z.  Jay-Z purchased Brantley’s work.  

These are just a few of the many, many artists Danny has helped.       

Rush Arts’ contest also used Black Galleries throughout the nation, such as Gallery Guichard, to host their contest, thereby expanding exposure to Black galleries nationwide.  

While Danny could have easily chosen to be somewhere solely devoted to his own obvious talents and successful art career, instead, he dedicated himself to community and culture-building.  

So many in the art world have been helped by Danny Simmons’ hard work and vision.  But, more than this, Danny Simmons understood the needs of the children in these photos. 

Danny spent his life providing the cultural platforms and places to help them build their internal power. He knew what they were up against and he went about  assuring that these young people could explore and develop their potential through art programs and other programs developed by him. 

Today I learned that Danny Simmons has made his Earthly transition. And I took a moment to stare at these pictures he once sent me for an article I was writing about his work. I took a moment to stare at these young faces as I  think about Danny’s impact on the world.

Danny Simmons has long been there  building youth empowerment through culture, or building community through culture, or helping to build the careers of artists, and has always had the deep respect of artists and the community. 

Today I just want to say to his spirit on behalf of the community, Thank you Danny Simmons. Thank you for your life and your hard work on behalf of humanity. Thank you for understanding what would be required of the young boy in that picture staring into the camera; what would be required of his psyche to make it through this world. Thank you for stepping up to help him and so many other young people to have a better chance at life, and for giving them a platform of creativity and self-empowerment. Thank you for understanding that art is a tremendous instrument of empowerment; and that,  although, as they say,  a child’s upbringing “starts at home”, not every home functions ideally.  Some are not functional at all.  Not all children have a home, or parents, or people present in their lives to care for them.  Yet, all children deserve a chance to discover their potential and to thrive.  This is where you stepped-in to give. Despite any odds, you made a place for them to feel like they were valued and worthy.

Thank you, Danny Simmons, for living your life investing your time, resources, and finances into providing young people with places to “become somebody”.  

Thank you for all of the young people and the artists you mentored, tutored,  guided and reinforced along their journeys.  Thank you for knowing that our communities -- therefore, society -- will be shaped by how their futures play-out. Thank you for making this your life’s work. 

What a beautiful legacy the force known as Danny Simmons has left behind to all of us. It is a legacy that will surely live on. 

To hear Danny Simmons and other community members speak about Rush Arts passion for building culture and community, please see this powerful YouTube clip https://youtu.be/ohNtkOxQbsI