Finding balance is her art. Meet Melani Douglas an artist, educator, and curator who focuses on socially engaged art and bringing artists together. She founded the Family Art Museum, a nomadic non-collecting institution focusing on family as fine art, home as curated space and community as gallery, and is the Director of Public Programs at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She sees everything in her life as part of her art practice, including being a mother and friend. In this episode le...
Jul 21, 2020•50 min•Ep. 10
This week on the podcast, I go rogue to share the story of how I overcame my fears to start and launch the Creatives Making Moves podcast. This episode is raw and vulnerable, and just me. Until recently, I was the queen of doing extensive planning for months in a google doc before making a single move towards my dreams. One day I realized I had to stop thinking, and start doing. In this episode, I unpack why we ghost on our genius because of fears. You'll also learn why you don't need to know ev...
Jul 14, 2020•29 min•Ep. 9
A.J. McClenon is a badass originally from D.C. “proper,” and currently based in Chicago. They’ve been making moves as Newcity’s 2020 Breakout Artist, a 2020 Spark Grant Recipient, and a 3ARTS Make A Wave recipient. A.J. is also co-founder of F4F, and co-organizer of Beauty Breaks, an intergenerational beauty and wellness series for black people along the spectrum of femininity. work is grounded in storytelling weaving writing, performance, sound, and video arts to share experiences living in a b...
Jul 07, 2020•34 min•Ep. 8
MoNique LeRoux believes that we should all focus on what we’re really good at, and forget about the rest. After several changes in careers, including the military and firefighting, and going through depression, MoNique is now a full time successful artist and podcaster. She is best known for her resin and fire painting technique. Based in Houston, Texas, MoNique runs Mo LeRoux Art where she takes commissions and sells her art and merchandise online. MoNique inspires artists with her movement and...
Jun 30, 2020•42 min•Ep. 7
Toni Taylor has taken many different paths as an artist. Her art spans mixed media wire sculptures, scenic painting, and Afro futuristic illustrations. Toni wants to touch people with her art; heal, inspire, and bring wonder. Her work travels through the visionary realms of fantasy, mysticism, and imaginative realism. With no formal training, Toni considers herself life taught. She began her career in 1985, with a cover for Heavy Metal Magazine, of which she was an avid collector. Since then, sh...
May 25, 2020•29 min•Ep. 6
Lindsay Renea Benton grew up in a creative household with both parents, her grandmother, and eldest aunt as artists. Hearing stories as a young girl from strong creative women in her family propelled her imagination and expanded her realm of possibilities. In this week’s episode I dive into Lindsay Renea’s journey as a professional dancer, choreographer, and professor at Alabama State University. Lindsay Renea has stories to share and lives to bless! She started her career landing a principal da...
May 19, 2020•32 min•Ep. 5
Black women and the magic we create when we hit rock bottom is the inspiration for this week’s podcast episode. When most people hit rock bottom, they get stuck. They tell themselves that this is it. They start doubting that they can have an abundant, free, and happy life. Sasha-Loreine is living proof that’s not the case. When she hit rock bottom after another rejection letter from a galley, a failed relationship, and being in a job that was affecting her mental health, she decided in that mome...
May 12, 2020•37 min•Ep. 4
You don't have to be a starving artist. Secure the bag, and keep the bag. That’s what Myesha Francis believes, and I’m here for it. Myesha is passionate about seeing artists grow, develop, and be successful. She is an accomplished painter, educator, and business owner of House of Women and Wine NOLA. Besides being a boss and receiving numerous awards, including Arts Entrepreneurship and Excellence from Essence, she is just a really kind soul. In this week’s episode, we go behind the scenes of he...
May 05, 2020•45 min•Ep. 3
What are you deeply interested in exploring right now? Is it a social issue? Is it how to twerk without breaking your back? Whatever it is, your next big creative idea is probably in that exploration. When you start that journey, everything will magically fall into place. On this week's episode of Creatives Making Moves, I interviewed the lovely Kenyatta Forbes. She is a native Chicagoan who uses humor and her own experience as a black woman to have challenging conversations about race and ident...
Apr 28, 2020•30 min•Ep. 2
Imagine running a business and still having time for your creativity. If you ever wondered how to balance time for your creative gifts and sanity, while running a business, then this episode is for you. I interviewed Ayo Lasisi, an actor, youth program coordinator for FATE, and entrepreneur who turned her passion for African dance and health into the fitness company EWA Fitness . Ayo is a boss trailblazing her own path. A common misconception that I hear from artists who want to turn their passi...
Apr 21, 2020•29 min•Ep. 1
