Name
Bethany Cubbage
Age
32
Company/Organization
The Benton Harbor Arts Association (BHAA)
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
We are a 501(c)(3) with a mission to promote a vibrant Benton Harbor Arts District.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Music Business – Full Sail University
Accomplishments
My proudest accomplishment at the moment is becoming President of the Benton Harbor Arts Association. I joined the board in 2021 and served as Secretary and Vice President before stepping into this role in January. During my time on the board, I’ve helped plan a variety of community events, including two Arts in the Park summer concert series, quarterly Art Hops, monthly Open Stages, Artoberfest, and two Children’s Art Fairs—We just finished up our second Children’s Art Fair on July 19th and had over 1,000 people in attendance.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
By 40, I hope to expand the BHAA’s impact through more scholarships, stronger programming, and deeper collaboration with other nonprofits and businesses in the Arts District.
Current City
St. Joseph, MI
Place You Were Born
Chicago, IL
What was your first job?
Rolling eggrolls in an Asian Supermarket in downtown Watervliet.
What’s the best advice you ever got?
The worse they can say is no
Who inspires you most?
I’m most inspired by the local business owners, non-profits, and volunteers who help make our community a more vibrant, inclusive place.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
Something people might be surprised to learn is that I once worked at Mid-West Family Broadcasting and actually helped with the creation and launch of the Moody on the Market 40 Under 40, Best Places to Work, and 25 Under 25 award programs! Aside from that, some may be surprised that my love of the arts began with music. I love collecting and learning how to play instruments. When I was younger I was more involved by attending fine arts camps, performing with All Star Bands, and competing at Solo & Ensembles but now I just play for myself.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
Currently I’ve been soaking in all the beach days I can get! But I also love going to concerts, cooking, and spending time with my nephews.
What book are you reading now?
I’m a little embarrassed to say I’m not currently reading anything, however I have been listening to quite a few podcasts. The Best One Yet is a 20-minute podcast of the top three business news stories of the day. I listen to this one every morning while getting ready for work. The same hosts also have a podcast called The Best Idea Yet. This one is a little longer and dives into the untold stories of popular products and how they went viral. I also really enjoy Science Vs. which is sort of like mythbusters.
Volunteer activity you love the most.
I love planning events, and the Benton Harbor Children’s Art Fair has been my favorite. This past Art Fair drew over 1,000 attendees and featured 20+ vendors and resource booths offering free kids’ activities and crafts, as well as performances by local groups like the Boys & Girls Club, Fusion Dance, and The Ghostlight Theater. There was also a Children’s Art Exhibit where we awarded over $500 in scholarships to the local youth.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
. This community has given me so much—careers, opportunities, connections, and a true sense of belonging. I want to give that to others.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
Cloning myself would be cool so I could get more done!
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I’ve never given it much thought, but I hope to be remembered for how I treat others. I strive to make people feel seen, heard, and valued in every interaction. Helping others connect to the resources they need is also important to me, and I’d love for that to live on.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
It’s a huge honor. I don’t do what I do for recognition, but it means the world to know that others see and value the effort and intention behind it.
