Leadership
I have a lifelong commitment to social justice and personal development, with an emphasis on marginalized communities. My faith life has taught me that a healthy community values the last, littlest, and least; my creative life has taught me to love and honor weirdos, oddballs and freaks. Drawing the circle wide, and wider still, always leads me to growth and satisfaction. Therefore, I have been a lay volunteer at inclusive church plants in Chicago (Urban Village Church and Micah's Porch) and Cleveland. I received the first-ever Community Builder award at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago for my work with young adults, which also earned our congregation the Anchor Award from the larger denomination.
I have also worked with professional and charitable organizations like the EFA, ACES, and WITAN. I am active in a local women's spirituality group and host a regular series of community gatherings for people living with intention. In addition, I host a women's support group.
I do public speaking to promote the arts and community development. I appeared on Dispatch, a podcast formerly based out of Chicago, to discuss the economic contributions of artists and arts businesses. I have spoken at panel discussions for National Novel Writing Month at the Cuyahoga County Public Library and at interfaith events at the University of Akron. I have performed my poetry at the Uptown Slam in Chicago at the Green Mill and in Cleveland at the B-Side Lounge, and read my essays and stories at events in Akron and Cleveland.
The Cleveland Public Library created this video about the branch where I worked. I also received the Pay It Forward employee award in January 2018, in recognition of my efforts to advance the Library's strategic plan.
I have also worked with professional and charitable organizations like the EFA, ACES, and WITAN. I am active in a local women's spirituality group and host a regular series of community gatherings for people living with intention. In addition, I host a women's support group.
I do public speaking to promote the arts and community development. I appeared on Dispatch, a podcast formerly based out of Chicago, to discuss the economic contributions of artists and arts businesses. I have spoken at panel discussions for National Novel Writing Month at the Cuyahoga County Public Library and at interfaith events at the University of Akron. I have performed my poetry at the Uptown Slam in Chicago at the Green Mill and in Cleveland at the B-Side Lounge, and read my essays and stories at events in Akron and Cleveland.
The Cleveland Public Library created this video about the branch where I worked. I also received the Pay It Forward employee award in January 2018, in recognition of my efforts to advance the Library's strategic plan.