LANSING – State Representative Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit) announced today she is one of 100 invitees from across the nation to the White House for a poetry slam on Tuesday hosted by President Obama and the First Lady in an effort to promote the arts.
"It is a great honor to be a guest of the President for this wonderful event," said Jackson, who chairs the History, Arts and Libraries Appropriations Subcommittee. "Both the President and I share a commitment to the arts and understand the value of funding programs that promote cultural events such as this. I look forward to my time in Washington."
While in the nation's capitol, Jackson plans on meeting with Congressional leadership to discuss innovative mechanisms for arts funding and the ways arts can be used to create jobs and diversify Michigan's economy.
"I am eager to forge a partnership with President Obama in support of the arts," Jackson said. "The arts play such an integral part in our lives and we need to find ways to promote them. While funding is an issue in these tough economic times, I am excited at the opportunity of starting a dialogue at the state and national levels about the importance of the arts and how they lead to an overall better quality of life. I believe the arts not only inspire and entertain, but can be used to help diversify our economy."