Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. Appoints Esteemed Attorney and Arts Advocate Lloyd Bowers as Director

Ormond Beach, FL — September 19, 2025 — Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. is proud to announce the appointment of Lloyd Bowers to its Board of Directors. A respected civil litigation and estate planning attorney with more than four decades of experience, and a lifelong advocate for the arts and cultural enrichment, Bowers brings a wealth of professional expertise and civic leadership to the organization.

“Lloyd’s distinguished career in law and his unwavering commitment to advancing the arts and culture make him an exceptional addition to our board,” said William J. Sanchez, Executive Director of Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. “His knowledge, vision, and dedication to community values will help us strengthen our mission of fostering cultural understanding through education, engagement, and heritage.”

A Career in Law and the Arts

Bowers is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned both his undergraduate degree in Theater and his Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law. Originally planning a career as a professional actor, he followed the advice of his parents to build a second career path, leading him into law. In 1982, he began practicing in New Orleans with the law firm of Wiedemann & Fransen, and later with Wiedemann & Wiedemann.

While in New Orleans, Bowers helped establish the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts project, providing pro bono legal services to arts organizations and artists in the community. His efforts earned him recognition from New Orleans Magazine, which named him one of the city’s “People to Watch” for his impact on the arts.

In 1995, Bowers relocated to Daytona Beach, Florida, where he co-founded Wickersham & Bowers, continuing his practice in estate planning, probate, and trust litigation.

Leadership in Cultural Organizations

Beyond his legal career, Bowers has consistently championed the arts. In 1998, after meeting cultural leader Tippen Davidson, he joined the Board of Trustees of Seaside Music Theater (SMT), where he served for eight years, including terms as Chairman and leader of the Fund Development Committee.

In 2002, he founded the Mystic Krewe of the 12th Night Revelers, which continues to host an annual Mardi Gras Ball benefiting arts education in Volusia County public schools.

Bowers has served on the Charter Review Commission for the City of Daytona Beach, and in 2012 was appointed by the Mayor as his representative to the Peabody Auditorium Advisory Board. That same year, Volusia County Council Member Josh Wagner appointed him to the Volusia County Cultural Council, where he continues to serve.

Recognizing the need for a dedicated nonprofit to support the Peabody Auditorium, Bowers spearheaded the effort to establish the Peabody Auditorium Foundation, Inc. in 2015, serving as its first president. Under his leadership, the Foundation launched the Centennial Renaissance Campaign, raising over $500,000 for capital improvements and cultural productions at the historic venue.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the auditorium was dark, the Foundation partnered with the Volusia County School Board to create the Youth + Art = Success program. This initiative has provided free in-school professional theater productions for elementary students, staged professional children’s productions for the public, hosted 400 high school students at Broadway Series performances, and awarded scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing the arts or arts education.

In recognition of his decades-long contributions, Bowers received the Tippen Davidson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Volusia County Cultural Alliance in 2025.

Continuing a Legacy of Service

Bowers and his partner, Chris Wickersham, are longstanding financial contributors to numerous arts organizations across Volusia County. In addition to his legal and civic commitments, Bowers occasionally returns to his theatrical roots, appearing in local productions with his close friend, Julia Davidson Truilo.

Lloyd Bowers stated: “I am honored to join William Sanchez, a true leader, and the Board of the Cultural Awareness Fund in celebrating our community’s cultural diversity and promoting out nation’s rich cultural history to future generations. America has always been, and always will be, the Great Melting Pot of the World, and our nation’s strength lies in the contributions that have been made, and continue to be made, by the diversity of its immigrants and the cultures they import and assimilate into our nation.”

About the Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc.

The mission of Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. is to design immersive curricula that bring learning to life by drawing upon the rich cultural diversity of America’s roots. The organization believes education should engage students in meaningful experiences that deepen their understanding of history, culture, and community.

Through these programs, the Fund seeks to inspire critical thinking, inclusivity, and respect for the many voices that have shaped our nation. In doing so, it nurtures an appreciation for America’s unique strengths and contributions, helping students grow as informed citizens who value both heritage and progress.

For more information about Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. and its initiatives, please visit www.culturalawarenessfund.com.

Media Contact:
William J Sanchez
Executive Director, President
Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc.
786/942-4449
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. Donates $500 to Support Volusia’s Domestic Abuse Council During Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser

Ormond Beach, FL — September 15, 2025 — Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. has reaffirmed its commitment to community values and public safety by donating $500.00 to the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County during its annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser, held on August 30, 2025, at the Back Alley Lanes VRCade center in South Daytona.

The check was presented by William J. Sanchez, Executive Director of Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc., to Buck James, CEO of the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County. The event drew a strong showing of local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and civic figures — including Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood — and was made possible through the generosity of Cultural Awareness Fund Director and Back Alley Lanes proprietor, Maria Trent, who donated the space in support of the Council’s mission.

The Domestic Abuse Council’s mission is to empower survivors of domestic violence through compassionate, trauma-informed care and unwavering advocacy. The Council partners with the community to ensure survivors find safety, justice, and the opportunity to heal.

“Supporting the Domestic Abuse Council reflects our belief that no survivor should face violence alone,” said William J. Sanchez. “This contribution will help provide emergency shelter and support services for survivors in crisis, and we are proud to stand with an organization dedicated to protecting the vulnerable and helping them rebuild their lives.”

The Bowl-A-Thon was more than just a fundraiser — it was an evening of fun, fellowship, and reflection. The sound of bowling strikes, shared laughter, and community connection reminded everyone in attendance of the need to remain united against abuse and vigilant in protecting survivors.

Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. encourages the community to join in this mission and donate in support of initiatives that defend survivors, strengthen communities, and uphold the values of safety and dignity.

For more information about the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County and its services, please visit https://www.dacvolusia.com. To learn more about Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. and its initiatives — or to donate — visit http://www.culturalawarenessfund.com.

For more information about Back Alley Lanes, visit https://backalleylanes.com/

Media Contact:
William J Sanchez
Executive Director
Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc.
786/942-4449
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.