Get to Know Us!
Conversations with a wide array of people from all walks of life and all ages lit the fire to really get it done. Meeting with community members helped form a vision for what would become Maple Sap. It was not until a meeting with a college student organization called PRISM, a group for LGBTQ+ and ally students at SAU, that the founding group came together.
Kurtis Reeves who attended a meeting along with the other PRISM officers turned out to have been the one who spearheaded the event that sparked Josh into action. He quickly joined on as another founder alongside his work as a busy college student.
Good Foundation
Maple Sap was officially founded in April 2024.
Inspired by an event hosted by students at Southern Arkansas University Joshua Turner began looking into what it would take to found a festival. As a member of marginalized communities such as the neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ he wanted to create a PRIDE festival in a place that was devoid of them in the US.
After speaking to a friend he knew would be good to bounce the idea off of, Raven Gateley was on board with the idea as well. Being non-binary, having AUDHD, and additionally having several chronic health issues, they began to discuss the need for making sure such an event was accessible to everyone. Mutual friends with mobility and health issues came to mind, and the conversation shifted from an event, to forming a nonprofit to not only run it but to do more for the part of the community that always need a little more help.
Facts About Us
Mission Statement
Maple Sap fosters accessibility, growth and acceptance of LGBTQ+ and other minority groups through events, being an active part in community, and proving a place to easily access information and resources.
Vision Statement
Create a stronger, more welcoming, community for every member of the community.
Our Logo
The colors for our logo and nonprofit branding were chosen
for their meanings, while the logo design itself represents
Arkansas and the community.
Turquoise - Protection, Communication, and Self Love
Purple - Compassion, Creativity, and Courage
Orange - Optimism, Joy, and Warmth
The Journey Continues
It is all thanks to the many already existing organizations that have taken Maple Sap inc. under their wings to help give us resources, advice, and encouragement that we are able to exist and bring our vision to communities in south Arkansas.
To the many individuals, organizations, and businesses that have supported us, and continue to support us, both openly and privately:
