Lorna Green, Founder of CAFE, receives Sue Hess Award At Maryland Arts Day

Lorna Green welcomed Weynona and Aaron Majette to the stage, two members of CAFE’s advanced level orchestra. Together they performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” on steel drums in honor of Black History Month.

The sound of steel drums originates from the twin islands of Trinidad & Tobago, where people stripped 55-gallon oil drums and turned them into a world-renowned sound. Lorna Green has done something similar. Her love of music and art has led to the creation of a music program aimed to grow children’s artistic abilities.

On Feb. 13, 2024, Maryland Citizens of the Arts hosted this year’s Maryland Arts Day, the largest annual gathering of arts professionals in Maryland. The event was held at St. John’s College where more than 200 art advocates were invited to connect with one another and celebrate each other’s artistic achievements.

Lorna Green’s efforts were most recognized and celebrated as she was awarded the 2024 Sue Hess Legacy Arts Advocate of the Year. The award recognizes an individual whose advocacy efforts have significantly increased support for - and public recognition of - the Arts in Maryland.

“I am honored to accept this Sue Hess Legacy Arts Advocate of the Year Award,” Green said.

Lorna Green is the founder and CEO of the after-school program Cultural Academy for Excellence. The program offers tutoring in language arts and mathematics along with visual and musical arts. CAFE students have performed internationally and locally throughout the years.

Lorna Green is the founder and CEO of the after-school program Cultural Academy for Excellence.

CAFE started when Green moved to Maryland and noticed the severe lack of arts programming accessible to public school students and minority communities. She started the program in her basement with the help of funding from Kaiser Permanente.

“I was playing one day, rehearsing with the students. They had just started about a week ago. In the same year, the Maryland Olympic torchbearers were coming through Prince George's County. They asked if we could perform for them. They learned the national anthem in three days,” Green said.

During her reception, Green welcomed Weynona and Aaron Majette to the stage, two members of CAFE’s advanced level orchestra. Together they performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” on steel drums in honor of Black History Month.