Celeste Bateman & Associates

We provided public relations services for the weeklong, city-wide celebration of poet, playwright, community activist and Nia Network artist Amiri Baraka in recognition of his 75th Birthday, this past October. Supporters travelled from various parts of the country to show their support for Baraka. There was a huge turnout for all the events and a good time was had by all!

We recently assisted in the promotion of Trilogy Opera Company's performance of Michael Raphael's JANJAWEED/DARFUR.....CONGO and Suite for the Newark Child. On the heals of their successful productions of Emmett Till and Darfur, Darfur: A Dramatic Cantata also by Michael Raphael, Trilogy’s artistic director, Kevin Maynor, once again, unleashed his cadre of talented performers to raise awareness of Darfur, a war-torn region in western Sudan, Africa. The event was held October 15, 2009 at Essex County College in Newark, NJ.

Nia Network artist Jamil A.C. Mangan, just back from a stint this past spring in Ecuador with Discover Adventure Theater, recently performed in a stirring production of What Would Jesus Do? written and directed by Yvette Heyliger at the Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn, NY. The production was a play with music set mainly in the Black church. It was the story of a God-fearing family rocked to its core when the wife/mother learns that she may have been exposed to HIV by her "down low" husband. For info about other plays at the Billie Holiday, call (212) 209-3370.

CB&A has, over the years, has provided public relations services and special events management for the small business and non-profit communities, and technical assistance to small and emerging arts organizations in the areas of:

Cultural Programming
Program Evaluation
Cultural Diversity
Public Relations
Grant Proposals
Board Development

We are now focused on public relations and our most recent initiative, the NIA NETWORK ~ a program bureau featuring artists and speakers covering topics and art forms relative to the African Diaspora. A pdf version of our brochure is available upon request.

Public Relations
CB&A works with various organizations to enhance their visibility in the media preparing newsletters, press releases, press advisories, public service announcements; issuing calendar & event notices; preparing biographies, brochures, web content, invitations, flyers, fact sheets, annual reports and other promotional material.

The Nia Network ~ A Program Bureau
CB&A has compiled a roster of extraordinarily talented individuals to form the Nia Network, a program bureau. The artists and speakers are available to perform and present at colleges and universities, performing arts centers, corporations, festivals, trade shows, etc. and will present art forms and address topics pertinent to the African Diaspora. "Nia" is the Swahili word for 'purpose' and the purpose of this division of our company is to promote what is good and positive about the African, Caribbean, and African-American cultural experience.

Nia Network Artists



PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.

Brief Bio
Celeste Bateman, a licensed booking agent, started her company, Celeste Bateman & Associates (CB&A), in September 1997. Her business caters primarily to small businesses, cultural and non-profit organizations.

Prior to starting her business, Ms. Bateman was cultural affairs supervisor for the City of Newark. Prior to her service with the city, she was the program coordinator at The Newark Museum. She also served as interim executive director of the Newark Arts Council, a non-profit organization that serves the city’s artists and arts organizations

Ms. Bateman is a freelance writer and in 1999, she wrote and produced the Gospel play, We’ve Got the Victory which was performed in New York City and at various venues in New Jersey. One of her short stories was published in former BET talk show host, Tavis Smiley’s book Keeping the Faith which won an NAACP Image Award in 2003. She is currently working on a book of essays, poems and recipes entitled Fall Back and Let the Universe Catch You.

Ms. Bateman received her B.A. in Theatre Arts and Speech from Rutgers University and holds a Masters in Communication Arts from Montclair State University.

Special Notes

Visit our News and Reviews section as we update it on a regular basis to keep you apprised of our artists' and speakers' activities. Also, you can hear samples of our musicians' music by going to The Nia Network and clicking "more" under each musician's bio. Celeste Bateman & Associates is a licensed booking ageny and a certified Women/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) in the State of New Jersey.

Enjoy!

Photos: Celeste Bateman, Amiri Baraka, Faces of Darfur, Valerie Wilson Wesley, Jamil A.C. Mangan


Celeste Bateman & Associates Booking Agency
NJ Lic. No. BW0430900

Celeste Bateman, Booking Agent
NJ Lic. No. BA1740000