I witnessed magic.

This time last year, I was preparing to quit my job. Not only was I going to quit my job, but I was completely changing my career. After nearly a decade as an educator and public servant, I was going to take a 6 month sabbatical. After that, I would leap into entrepreneurship - no business degree, no seed money, nada. More than the fear, I felt a deep conviction that I could create a different, a more holistic, & a happier life. 

I am here before you today having successfully launched my business, with an amazing first quarter of my business behind me. Although I am immensely proud of myself, I can also tired. So when hope feels far away, as it sometimes does, I am grounding in my why. 

The Process

This time last year, I was immersed in my capstone project, now known as the Freedom Dreams project, for the Surge Institute. As a Surge Fellow, I was trained in Liberatory Design, a process and practice designed to: 

• Generate self-awareness to liberate designers from habits that perpetuate inequities.

• Shift the relationship between the people who hold power to design and those impacted by designs.

• Foster learning and agency for those involved in and influenced by design work.

• Create conditions for collective liberation.

With help of Surge Oakland and the National Equity Project, Liberatory Design for Equity helped me birth the original idea for That Art Party, a tool in creating conditions for our collective liberation. Using the modes, I began to imagine a world where BIPOC adults are free, healing, and joyful.

In the process, I noticed that my folx, other BIPOC adults, were being stripped of their humanity by all the systems (read: white supremacy culture) demanding perfection, production, and performance. This is what Tricia Hersey calls grind culture.   

I reflected on my values: love, imagination, and intuition. 

It looked like this:

I literally wrote: 

• “My passion is to heal my inner child and explore my curiosity outside of the roles assigned to me by my gender”

• “I am breaking the mold and cycle of trauma”  

• “I want us to be free.”  

• “I want the freedom to explore on this journey” 

I crafted an empathy interview that asked the following questions: 

• Describe the last time you played. 

• What is one art, craft, talent you have always wanted to learn or try?

• If you could quit your job, what would you do with your life/ how would you spend your time?

• Describe your most beloved community.

• When do you feel most alive?

• What do BIPOC need most right now? What does that look like? Can you describe it?

After interviewing hella (over 60) BIPOC adults, I came to the following conclusions: 

we are expansive, we are inherently creative, and yet, we doubt our power to create a different reality.

These interviews made me laugh, cry, dance, and just marvel in the brilliance of my people.  And that is what happens with BIPOC folx are allowed - encouraged even - to give in to the wants and desires of their inner child.  

This is how That Art Party was born. 

The Result

How could I use my natural gifts and talents to create a space where BIPOC adults can play, commune, and make art for the sake of creativity? I was clear that I wanted to cultivate a community space that was not about mastering technique, but rather allowing ourselves to PLAY. I believe that when we play, and when we play in safe space, we learn, grow and heal - even when that is not the intention. 

Can you imagine a world where we are joyful, safe, and creative ? 

Can you imagine a community of BIPOC adults who honor our intuition, play carefree, and experience the transformative benefits of art and play? 

I started to dream, and I was hooked. I had already seen glimmers of hope through the powerful and playful connections with BIPOC adults. I knew I had to pursue this dream. 

Over the following 6 months I would put it to the test… could art and play really set us free? 

Stay tuned for next time…