Jalal al-Din Rumi, thirteenth century Persian poet:

Oh fly , oh fly, O my soul-bird,
fly to your primordial home!
You have escaped from the cage now-
your wings are spread in the air.

What is Soulbird?

Soulbird was founded in 2007 by New York-based composer and activist R. Timothy Brady, realizing the need for art to leave its insular circles, and begin to amplify the causes of organizations that work directly with the struggling and marginalized people around the world. The forums and dialogues that Soulbird facilitates are a significant chance for leading change-agents to brainstorm, to problem-solve, and to figure out ways to support each other, in our fight and struggle for justice.

Why Soulbird?

An estimated 30,000 new non-profits arise each year in the United States alone. Imagine the impact if more of these organizations started working together, and if more organizations internationally started working together. Imagine what we could accomplish together. Our global network of activists and artists conceive of and construct innovative projects that unite various arts, human rights, and socially conscious organizations to communicate mind-to-mind, heart-to-heart, and to solve the issues that will define the 21st century.

Mobilizing Our Villages

We are calling on a new generation of artists and activists to realize the full impact potential that the arts can have in generating global grassroots movements.

Theory of Change

Soulbird orbits around the scars and wounds that diminish our global spirit. We believe that by addressing many worldwide social issues, we can create the greatest catalyst and momentum for change, bringing together people that would not normally congregate for a cause. Apathy, rigid ideology, tyranny, and violence continue to divide and to compartmentalize our global community, leaving us blind to what common experiences unite us all - the scars that we all bear.

We seek a "revolution of the soul." A revolution wherein art ceases to be mere passive presentation, and rises to the front lines of action and impact. We are a new vanguard of artists, activists and entrepreneurs who wish not only to address complex social issues through our art, and to empower citizens, but also to find ways to concretely champion human rights, protest social injustice, and start speaking up for those who are silenced around the world everyday.

We Believe

  • Every human being has the inalienable rights, to live in a nurturing community, free from physical, mental, and spiritual harm.
  • Non-profit organizations can expand their outreach and social impact potentials, by collaborating with each other, with their communities, and with visionary artists, community activists, and social entrepreneurs.
  • The arts can inspire spiritual and social transformation, bridging communities and dismantling barriers, through individual and collective transcendent experiences.

We Provide

  • A voice for those who are suffering silently.
  • Support and empowerment for those who are struggling against tyranny and injustice.
  • An inspiring and creative environment for collaboration among individuals and groups that may otherwise not seek out the opportunity to work together.
  • An international network of artists and community activists to engage in projects that will bring about significant and lasting social change.

Core Team

R. Timothy Brady Founder, Artistic and Executive Director

R. Timothy Brady is an activist and composer living in New York. Born in Atlanta, his earliest musical training consisted of song-writing lessons from a local country singer. When he first approached classical composition as an undergrad at Emory University, it was from a background in the vernacular, as performer, improviser, and electronic musician. From founding a gay-straight alliance at his high school to building coalitions of campus groups at his university to raise awareness about human rights issues worldwide, Brady continues to dedicate himself to advocating global justice. In 2007, he presented his first opera, Edalat Square, at the inaugural Opera Vista Festival in Houston, where it shared first prize. He graduated with honors from Emory with a B.A. in music composition.

Daniel Velásquez Designer

Daniel Velásquez holds a B.F.A. in Packaging Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology and works as a packaging designer at a design consultancy firm in NYC. Daniel is an active member of the Guatemala Peace and Development Network. Through the GPDN, Daniel is involved in promoting human rights, democracy, gender equality, education and political awareness. Daniel produces graphic material such as posters, flyers, invitations, brochures and booklets for the GPDN. Through his work, the GPDN has been successful in raising the profile of its events and help people show interest in the activities the organization promotes.

The Wunderkind Project

James Sutherland Managing Director

James Sutherland is an activist and music producer living in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2007, he founded NoSo Productions, a music production company. James' own music has always had a politically or socially conscious edge. He has performed with the Feed America Music Foundation, raising money for children's shelters in Atlanta, and his song "Warfare" was featured in a documentary for the peace movement produced by Artemis Productions. James has also produced short films, including "Genesis V" which won first place at the Emory Campus Movie Fest and fifth place internationally. He is currently working on his first album and finishing his undergraduate degree at Georgia State University.