Transforming the World through Reflections

Let's end Black History Month reflecting on the story of a man who is making history: Valentino Dixon.

The law exonerated Valentino Dixon, yet he was free long before the end of 27 years in Attica Correctional Facility due to a wrongful conviction. "Art, Freedom, and Healing" was a powerful conversation about creating the conditions to thrive in the face of unthinkable pain. Valentino pours himself into art during and since being released and is dedicated to the work of prison reform. Thanks, Valentino, for inviting us to discover the artist in all of us in the process of healing and growth.

#ArtandSocialJustice

#ArtFreedomHealing

#Healinghistoricaltrauma

"Setting the Tone for Healing" was a layered conversation about the power of deep exploration of our history with the support of mentors, teachers, and healing communities. We focused on the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health prompted by an interdisciplinary approach to historical trauma. The arts were discussed as an essential resource to reflect on pain and healing. Thanks to Dr. Kimani Norrington-Sands, Artist Kimiko Warner-Turner, and Educator Claudia Bautista-Nicholas for such an insightful experience of identifying ways to thrive individually and collectively.

Infinite thanks to all of these amazing contributors to our journey in the series "Transforming the World through Reflections". Your wisdom and willingness to invite the world into life transforming insights are priceless gifts. What a year of reckoning and healing! #Endof2020Reflections

"Music Sustains Life"...What a great conversation with Oscar Hernández! He's a 4X Grammy Award Winner Oscar Hernández has long been considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianist/ arrangers on the contemporary Latin, Latin-jazz and salsa music scene. He has achieved legendary status for his prolific career spanning now over 40 years. Oscar Hernández is the leader of the world renowned Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

Transforming the World through Reflections: More Creativity in the Business World" with two amazingly creative women in business. Maritza Collins, Multicultural Events and Communications Marketing Expert shares her wisdom on valuing our humanity in the workplace; and Sonia Smith-Kang, Social Impact Entrepreneur, Creator of MixedUp Clothing, shares her wisdom on aligning social justice values with business models that serve the community...AND MORE! Thank you for engaging us in noticing how creativity can guide the process to give of ourselves richly!

Many things have emerged or become apparent because of the pandemic, and we will explore that in our conversation. The focus is on the difficulties between couples, since the pandemic has forced them to face conflicts that they previously avoided navigating. On the other hand, we explore single life in the pandemic and ways to improve relationships with yourself before embarking on life as a couple. Thanks, Adeela "Docta Dee" Whittaker, for sharing your wisdom on ways to move through these challenges.

BEAUTIFUL WOMEN! Exploring 2020 through "The Rhythm of Blue"... What an amazing conversation with the cast of this documentary focused on mental health in the African Diaspora. Thank you to filmmakers Valaira Sa-Ra, JC Thomas, and Naoe; as well as Dr. Bree Cook, Spiritual Healer Zuri, and artists Kay Benjamin and Tamiyka White for so much inspiration! Our Diaspora's healing is at hand!

"Transforming the World through Reflections" was INSPIRING! Thanks, Ligia Grenald, for such insights about the opportunities to grow professionally that crisis offers us in the face of a pandemic. We explored healing stories that stunt our ability to serve with conscious purpose, so that we can amplify our gifts to the world! It was interesting to weave diverse ways in which our wellness can be enhanced when clearing the path to use our skills creatively for our communities' growth.

Thanks to clinicians Sheri Johnson, Nygil Palmer, Susan Lowe, Dr. Loretta Brazil, Dr. Carla Michelle, and Dr. Adeela Whittaker for such insights about the opportunities and challenges in this work, given the intersection between the pandemic and social injustice. This conversation about systemic oppression and community healing with a focus on the role of clinicians of the African diaspora was uplifting!

"Transforming the World through Reflections: The Arts Sustain Life". Today's conversation was POWERFUL! Listening to the artists' perspective on the pandemic, inter-generational-trauma, community healing, and being moved by ancestral memory and strength is a gift. Thanks D. Channsin Berry, Sheree Brown, and Brigette Dunn-Korpela for sharing your insights about the role of the arts in healing the world. May their words add richly to your reflections!