Business for the Arts Broward (BFA) presents its Arts Mean Business Speaker Series featuring renowned artist Cey Adams discussing “Creating Awareness Through Art” on Thursday, March 8 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Stache Bar Drinking Den + Coffee Bar, 109 S.W. 2nd Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.

Underwritten by the BBX Capital Foundation with additional community support from Greenspoon Marder, The Community Foundation of Broward, American Express and Stache, the event is free and begins with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by the presentation at 8 a.m.

Adams will highlight his personal story and convey how working with young people through art can inspire change in the world. Artwork created by Adams and Broward County youth in partnership with the Urban League of Broward for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s walk also will be unveiled.

Adams emerged from the downtown graffiti movement to exhibit alongside fellow artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. The New York City native appeared in the historic 1982 PBS documentary Style Wars, which tracks subway graffiti in New York. He served as Creative Director for Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons’ Def Jam Recordings, where he co-founded the Drawing Board, the label’s in-house visual design firm, creating visual identities, album covers, logos, and advertising campaigns for Run DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Notorious B.I.G., Maroon 5, and Jay-Z. He exhibits, lectures and teaches art workshops at institutions including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, MoMA, Museum of the City of New York, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center and more. Adams draws inspiration from 60’s pop art, sign painting, vintage comics and popular culture. His work focuses on themes including pop culture, brand identity, cultural and community issues.

Adams also worked with the Urban League of Broward County and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to engage youth in the afterschool program in a three-day service learning project as the Urban League of Broward County seeks to educate middle school age youth about healthy relationships and the value of protecting themselves against preventable diseases such as HIV. It is critically important that learning begins at a young age on the risks associated with unhealthy relationships and poor decision making. Communities of color are substantially impacted by HIV and it’s becoming increasingly more challenging to prevent the disease among youth. Students interacted with Adams and members of the Urban League staff to share their thoughts, lessons learned, energy and frustrations about the subject matter. Together Adams and the students designed the banner for the March 18th AIDS walk.

To RSVP to the Arts Mean Business Speaker Series with Cey Adams, call 954-940-5344 or email rvegas@bfabroward.org.