Austin Nonprofit, DAWA, Celebrates Five Years of Impact with Event Featuring Beloved Comedian

A nonprofit dedicated to supporting Austin’s BIPOC community, DAWA (Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action), will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a special comedy event titled “Laughter is Medicine” on Friday, Sept. 6 at the Long Center. The show will feature legendary actor and comedian Tommy Davidson, known for his roles in “In Living Color” and “Black Dynamite.” The event will include performances by local artists and speeches from community leaders.

DAWA was founded by Jonathan ‘Chaka’ Mahone, who is also one half of the award-winning hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm, alongside his wife. Reflecting on DAWA’s milestone, Mahone expressed his excitement for the event. “There’s no better way to celebrate five years of community impact than with a gut-busting laugh in my opinion! DAWA means medicine in Swahili, and comedy is one of the best ways to heal and learn as a collective,” said Mahone. “It’s exciting to have a legend like Tommy Davidson headline our celebration this year in a space like the Long Center.”

The event will also feature performances by local talents, including rappers J Soulja and Kydd Jones, soul singer Tameca Jones, Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston and poet Myles Martin.

A mission of empowerment and community support

Founded in 2019, DAWA’s mission is to “give to the givers”—providing direct financial aid and wellness programs to BIPOC frontliners, such as artists, educators, social workers, and healthcare professionals. The nonprofit was created out of Mahone’s desire to support those who are essential to the community but often overlooked.

Since its inception, DAWA has contributed more than $288,000 in financial support to community frontliners, $20,000 to six BIPOC-led organizations, and over $40,000 in performance fees to Black musicians. DAWA Studios has also produced more than 1,000 hours of free media content, offering BIPOC artists and grassroots organizations access to professional production resources.

“I saw the need in the community. The people who give in our community are medicine, and we need to make sure the healers and givers are taken care of in a city like Austin, which is growing tremendously fast,” said Mahone. “That growth is impacting many people who are often invisible, and we’re making them visible—creating space for them at a venue as large as the Long Center.”

Building for the future

As DAWA celebrates its fifth anniversary, Mahone is focused on the future. “We want to celebrate this community that we built, and we want to bring more people into it,” he said. “This is a celebration moment, but it’s also a time to think about the next five and 10 years and what’s possible.” 

Mahone’s vision for DAWA is rooted in his personal experience. Inspired by the Body Rock ATX community—a monthly event founded in 2010 by DJ Chorizo Funk and Riders Against the Storm—Mahone began by setting aside money each month to support community members in need. What started as informal donations grew into DAWA, which now plays a vital role in uplifting Austin’s BIPOC community.

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In addition to celebrating the organization’s achievements, DAWA’s fifth-anniversary event will also raise awareness about the nonprofit’s ongoing work and encourage community involvement. “We want people to know that we’re here, and it takes consistent investment to keep this community thriving,” Mahone said.

“Laughter is Medicine” tickets are on sale at the Long Center’s website. For more information about DAWA, visit www.dawaheals.org or follow the organization on social media at @dawaheals.