Welcome to the I Am Why blog!
Here I Am Why’s consultants, staff and partners write about what’s happening at I Am Why, our values and our take on the issues that matter to us most.
Colorism in Women of Society
While preparing for a webinar on colorism, I Am Why’s Racial Justice Team commissioned me to create a painting on colorism and women of all cultures. They asked me to do this after seeing my “I Am Woman” painting that I created while at Artistic Noise, one of I Am...
At a Glance
A path begun and ended A journey of a life wondering what is the truth to forgiveness She watched through the glass of her eyes To sprinkle glitter and wear pretty bows Or Throw a ball and wear the marks Without a fight or war but left with scars Dreams of being a...
4 Days Old
I start getting ready It’s the baby’s first doctor's appointment today I hadn’t slept at all You are sound asleep I take a picture of the two males in my life that I “love” more than anything He flips over in his sleep and almost hits the baby I get in between I’m so...
Morning Thoughts
Morning Thoughts Movement building through my lens got me stressing I am stressed because my youthfulness won't last forever I was told my voice is power, My leadership will lead others to empowerment My passion wishes and dreams will come true just be consistent...
Vivid Overturning
Vivid Overturning, Although this wasn’t a positive inspiration, the first 24 hours of a post-Roe world is what gave me the spark to paint. When creating this piece, I couldn’t help but think of my son. I love my son and would do anything in my power to keep his life...
Now
Now Now what What is being a woman Nearly 50 years of growth Nearly 50 years to be proud of Nearly 50 years gone How do I define myself now What is a woman I am courageous I will fight I won’t back down I won’t let Nearly 50 years go to waste When I was born I had...
Religion vs. Human Rights: Forced into Motherhood
There was a time when women had no rights and our voices were never heard, as we were supposed to be quiet and look pretty. But the times have changed. We can work, we can vote, we can run our own businesses, we can even have our own voice. Aren't we so lucky to have...
The Reversal of Roe v. Wade Bends the Arc Away from Justice and Equity
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade and the right to abortion, is a full-on attack on women’s autonomy, self-determination and safety—three values that the women of I Am Why hold dear. At I Am Why we begin...
Creating Safe Spaces at I Am Why Workshops
It had been years since I had been in the Artistic Noise space. This would be my first time participating in an I Am Why workshop and I was excited at this new opportunity. As I entered this space I could feel the art in the room coming alive—it appeared to be its own...
…Mental Health…
...Mental Health... Who you or me/ Yea they come in waves/ They come in stress or tears/ They come when I try/ My fears, my doubt, my past, I hide/ ...Mental Health… We are in a world where if you don't grind/ You get left behind/ Who you or me/...
My Journey to Becoming an I Am Why Activist
I Am Why’s book opens a door… Ebony, one of I Am Why’s consultants, nominated me a while back to receive a dream reader copy of the I Am Why book, I Am Why Reclaiming the Lens. At that point I didn’t even know what the book was about or what I Am Why was. Dream reader...
I Am Why Is Choosing a Co-Executive Director Model: Here’s Why
I am really excited for I Am Why because we are honoring intergenerational leadership! For me, this is important because I grew up fast. I started translating English documents for my parents when I was only six years old. My parents looked at me as a bridge to the...
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