THUMB AWARD ACADEMY GAINS FUNDING

I Thumbs Up to the Hoblitzelle Foundation and the Meadows Foundation for the help they’ve given the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters, a local arts group devoted to stage productions, art exhibits and training classes for young people and adults. The Hoblitzelle Foundation presented the academy with a $50,000 grant to go toward the purchase of its new $300,000 building on South Peak Street. The Meadows Foundation has given the academy a $25,000 grant to begin renovation of the building’s theater. The academy moved to its new quarters in September, after operating for three years from the apartment of Curtis King, founder and president of the organization. King says he hopes additional funds will be raised through the academy’s gala production, “Hallelujah! Rites of Rhythm,” to be performed July 22 through 24 at the Loews Anatole.