IHRAM has presented work from artists in 114 countries and 41 US States

I LOVE THIS — IT COULD NOT BE MORE RIGHT ON — AND YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE HERO TO ME, TOM.

Norman Lear (deceased),
Television Producer;
National Medal of Arts, California

Thank you greatly Tom.  I owe you a life.  Thank you very much for a great year, the great fellowship opportunity, the IHRAM DIRECT ACTION.  IHRAM has stood with my welfare, communication, talent and artistic career development since 2017, during my time in exile.  I salute the amount of care, support and development.

Mbizo Chirasha, Zimbabwean Poet-in-Exile

Thank you for giving me the courage and I won't let the bullies win.  I have learned to not to be hurt by those bullying comments.  And in school, I am not scared of the bullies now.  Thank you, thank you. Please keep supporting me. Thank you again for giving me the courage.

Nevyn Haque, Bangladeshi high school student

I am so thankful to have been part of this event. It was such an enriching experience, thank you Tom for your leadership and coordination!  I have so much admiration for this festival as it addresses important topics in societies internationally. The talent that was presented was outstanding.

Teresa Fellion, BodyStories Dance, NYC

Thanks for checking on me.  I have been offline. I have been in police cells for overstay since Friday and was released and managed to extend my stay a little longer.  I am safe and fine because they found out I was human right activist and IHRAM direct poet.
I am writing to thank you for the efforts you have put up for me from the day we started working together on my poetry.  Your efforts and teams you put me through to have guided me legally on every matter  perfectly to see me through these hard times.  They also put me through their network who I am working with on my case.  I can’t thank you enough.  Now I know how important my voice is in the community and to human rights. 

Buwaso Ibrahim Razack, Ugandan Poet-in-Exile  

A meeting place for arts, human rights and the government.  This is a new kind of coming together.

Dr. Sarah Sayeed, Senior Advisor in the NYC Community Affairs Unit, specializing in Muslim outreach

To be published by the IHRAM is to be recognised as a global voice for freedom.

Dr. Uche Akunebu, Professor at the International Institute of Journalism, Nigeria

The International Human Rights Art Movment is the platform of possibilities and eternal optimism. It is IHRAM founder Tom Block’s brave vision that gives these new, emerging and established writers and artists an opportunity to stand up for what they believe in through their art and writing. His initiatives and projects encourage, invite and spur change to happen.

Kelly Kaur, IHRAM Publishes Editor and Reader, Canada

IHRAM continues to inspire, mentor and support from underrepresented communities. It was an exceptional honor to serve as the International Fellow. I pray that the momentum, dedication and inspiration continues.

Shashi Kadapa, IHRAM International Fellow, India

IHRAM is one of the only festivals of its kind. The world urgently needs artists who are creating work about human rights - especially at this point in our divisive times.

Christina Evans, Performance Artist, California

We are thrilled of this advocacy success, especially, as the themes, actors, set, and  costumes mirrors our collaboration during the festival on Cameroon American Council's urgency in seeking immigration relief called Special Humanitarian Parole for survivors of Cameroonians lost at sea.  Tom, generous action exemplifies the Human Rights within the festival, and strong example in the #BelieveInBlackWomen philosophy!

Sylvie Bello, Founding Director, Cameroon American Council

Thank you so much for choosing me as one of your 2024 IHRAM International Fellows! I definitely accept the position; it's a rare honor and privilege!  I slept early and just woke up in the middle of the night (2:30 AM) and excitedly read your email, in the middle of an 8-hour bus ride.  Thank you so much for this wonderful news! (Now I wonder if I can still continue my sleep with this exciting news. 😄)

Karlo Silvera, Philippines

Thank you soooo much. This is to confirm to you that I have received the fifty dollars that you sent. I am overjoyed because this is the first time I am receiving money for my poetry. I look forward to more collaborations with IHRAM. Remain blessed.

Sylvester Nwokedi, Nigeria

Thanks very much for your kind spirit.  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank your initiative for exposing underrepresented artists. I will always remember this as my first earning as a writer.

Goodwell Kaipa, Malawi

The arts have a long history of being at the forefront of social justice movements, and Africa is no exception.  From the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa to the African American Civil Rights Movement, the arts have been a powerful tool in the fight for human rights.  And in my view, IHRAM is one of the most powerful movements of the 21st century, and it is here to stay.  IHRAM has revolutionized human rights in Africa through the use of arts.

Wole Adedoyin, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat, Nigeria

First and foremost, I salute Comrade Thomas Block and entire management team of IHRAM Publishes. You guys are doing great work. The Igbo man would say, "Onye agwala jide nke o ji, ya mara na nke o ji di mma." All I'm saying is that you should keep up the good work you are doing for literature and humanity. Daalu. 

Chinedu Vincent Okoro, Nigeria

With utmost respect and greetings, thank you sincerely for your message and the generous financial assistance extended to me. Your kindness is truly commendable, and I am deeply grateful for it.  Your act demonstrates your belief in the importance of the work I am engaged in, and it fills me with honor and joy.  Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for the attention and remuneration you have allocated for my participation in the Iranian Women Speak book. It is a testament to your recognition of the value of Iranian women's voices and stories, and I am privileged to be a part of this project.

Fatemeh Mahdavi, Iranian Women Speak author

I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible opportunity you gave us to present "The Sea" at the International Human Rights Art Festival. Your belief in my work means more to me than words can express. Your guidance and support throughout the entire process have been invaluable. The resources you made available to us and the unwavering support of your team were crucial in ensuring a seamless and successful production. Thank you for believing in my artistic vision. Your passion for the arts and commitment to nurturing emerging talent have made a tremendous impact on me personally and on the entire artistic community.

Taiwo Aloba, Nigerian-American, playwright

Well done Tom. You’re debunking a trend in the literary field. You’re a wonder change maker and a game changer. It is an honour for me to be selected as IHRAM International Fellow for 2023. I do accept and appreciate this opportunity that you have given me so that I can tell the stories of my suffering people through interviews and documentation. If there is a platform where these stories about the traumatic experiences my people have suffered due to the ongoing Anglophone crisis, then that place is IHRAM. Beautiful. Thanks a million. 

Geraldine Sinyuy, Cameroon

Oh, thank you very much.  This is my first payment from outside my country and especially from America, where I like it very much and I am trying to get a residency for Ph.D.  I’ll keep this money as a souvenir so that I will always remember your kindness and strive for greater success and brighter results. Thank you again for your support and kindness.

Zeynab Kazemzadeh, Iranian Women Speak, Iran

This is truly a festival for everyone and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to perform at the IHRAM. Tom is a real thought leader who has a clear vision of the role of the arts in the current world. The festival was also a great place to connect with other passionate artists and become inspired. 

Sora Baek, Korean-American, Playwright/Performer

I would like to have a great thank from you and your team about this issue magazine, it’s really amazing and important to hear Iranian women voice by artworks or anything. Because every single day, Islamic cruel regime of Iran killing one of us.  Your act is really effective and efficient for us.  Thank you so much.  Wish women-life-freedom happens soon.

Parastoo Haddadi, Iranian Women Speak

I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honor, and I am deeply appreciative. I have always dreamed of creating an initiative that combines both the arts and human rights by offering a space for committed artists to express themselves and unleash their creativity. Developing an international audience would help me share my passion for music and spread Amazigh culture around the world. With the support of IHRAM, I am confident that I will achieve bigger and better results!

Nora Gharyéni, Tunisian Tamazight singer-songwriter & guitarist 

I am overwhelmed humbly with joy. Above all, I have found a platform which advocates Humanity and Human Rights without prejudice, fear and reservations.  Thank you Tom, for the encouragement, support, inspiration and boosting the spirit. Let us stand against violation of Human Rights, Humanity, inequality and discrimination. Let us build a bond among communities. Let there be light, peace, and humanity.

Shagufta Hussein, Poet, Bangladesh