Join us as we kick off our Summer Street Event Series with a full day of creativity, wellness, and celebration! Designed to provide exposure to various non-traditional modalities of wellness.

We cannot ignore the reality: when funding is weaponized by politics, our work and the communities we serve become collateral damage. Even worse, we will soon see many organizations, out of sheer survival, begin to betray the essence of their mission just to secure the next check. When the pressure is high, mission drift becomes real.

When we live in a world where selfishness is normal, we start to lose sight of what really matters: people. Relationships, community, and love get pushed to the side because we’re too busy climbing ladders that don’t even lead anywhere worth going. We see it every day—families torn apart over money, neighborhoods destroyed because of greed, and people stepping on each other just to get ahead. And for what? So a few at the top can keep getting richer while everyone else struggles to survive?

The deaths of Robert Brooks and Samuel Harrell are not isolated incidents; they’re symptoms of a system that thrives on violence and dehumanization. We can’t just shrug these tragedies off as rare events. Every person who enters a prison deserves to serve their time without being subjected to abuse.

The dynamics of living in a homeless shelter bear a striking resemblance to the living conditions in prisons, particularly for single men. The shelter system, in many ways, emulates the prison system, creating a cycle of despair that is hard to escape. While the most apparent difference between the two is the freedom to leave the shelter, even that comes with significant consequences. Leaving often means starting the entire process over, a daunting and demoralizing task that keeps many trapped in a perpetual state of instability.

The screening of BEFORE TIME / AFTER TIME further showcased the transformative potential of art, as formerly incarcerated individuals shared poignant poetry and letters grappling with their pasts. Through art, they confronted their mistakes, asked for forgiveness, and revealed their humanity, challenging traditional narratives of irredeemability. As attendees reflected on envisioning a world without jails, prisons, or punishment, they were reminded of the power of art to transcend physical and mental confines, inspiring dreams of a more compassionate and equitable future.

We must not remain silent. I urge you to check on your incarcerated loved ones, ensuring they are treated with the dignity and respect every human being deserves. Support politicians and policies that advocate for the transformation of our prison system into one that values rehabilitation over punishment, human dignity over degradation.

Building on Dr. King's emphasis on coalition building, initiatives like the Arts Justice Safety Coalition (AJSC) exemplify the power of diverse groups united for a common cause. In 2023, recognizing the benefits of sustained networks, shared responsibility, and constructive criticism, we should strive for collaboration to amplify efforts for systemic, cultural, and social change.

Racial disparities persist in the entertainment industry, with black actors and producers encountering distinct challenges. Black women, in particular, may receive more than they have in the past, yet the gap between their worth and actual compensation remains evident.