"RISE + THRIVE: Utica" Awarded Grant from Sipp Culture's TBD Fund to Amplify Stories of Local Entrepreneurs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"RISE + THRIVE: Utica" Awarded Grant from Sipp Culture's TBD Fund to Amplify Stories of Local Entrepreneurs

UTICA, MS – August 2, 2025 – Saint's Emerald City is thrilled to announce that its upcoming unscripted series, "RISE + THRIVE: Utica, Mississippi," has been awarded a project grant from Sipp Culture’s TBD Fund. This vital support will help bring to light the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and business leaders in Utica.

The TBD Fund, a part of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts' Regional Regranting Program, is dedicated to supporting Mississippi visual artists in creating new, public-facing projects that expand the state's collective narrative and deepen community discourse. The fund’s commitment to empowering local artists whose work has a tangible social impact perfectly aligns with the mission of "RISE + THRIVE."

"We are incredibly honored and grateful to be a recipient of the TBD Fund," said Saint Allen Austin, Director of "RISE + THRIVE." "Sipp Culture is a pillar in the Mississippi arts community, and their belief in this project is a powerful affirmation of our goal. Trust me, this ain't just a production grant, it's an investment in the people of Utica and an example of the power of storytelling to foster community pride and economic empowerment."

"RISE + THRIVE: Utica," co-produced by Utica native Chucky of Just A Vibe, will showcase the resilience, innovation, and spirit of the town’s local business landscape. Set against the backdrop of the "golden hour," the series aims to capture the warmth and inviting nature of a community building its future.

This grant from Sipp Culture will be instrumental in ensuring the highest quality production and helping to share these important stories with a wider audience. It reinforces the project's core belief that by amplifying the voices of those driving progress, we can inspire a collective vision for what's possible in rural Mississippi.

Stay tuned for more updates as "RISE + THRIVE: Utica" moves into production. The new season is set to begin filming in the summer of 2025. It will premiere on saintallenaustin.com and the Saint's Emerald City YouTube channel later this year.

About Saint's Emerald City: Saint's Emerald City is a media production company dedicated to producing impactful and inspiring content that amplifies the voices of communities and individuals.

About Sipp Culture: Based in Utica, MS, The Mississippi Center for Cultural Production (Sipp Culture) cultivates thriving communities by honoring local history and building the future through cultural production focused on self-determination and agency.