ACTUALIZE EQUITY, SPARK CREATIVE INQUIRY + RECLAIM THE NARRATIVE.
CORE WORK ::
storytelling
adé PROJECT | Hightlight Reel
2018 + Beyond – Storytelling:
- We collaborate with community-led, and community-supported news and media platforms that center the celebration of Black culture.
- We publish digital works that are a collection of interviews, celebration of creative culture (i.e. culinary, visual, cinematic, musical and various other art forms) and the writings + stories of organizers, changemakers, communities, healers and students on the subject(s) of culture, heritage, preservation, truth, reconciliation + healing.
- We share our story and go about living our lives in accordance with our values, leading a purpose-driven life.
Big Ups + Wins
“Crown Chronicle” digital-mag audience grows 107%.
Blueprint for community storytelling established.
Catalyzation of podcast.
4 public art projects.
5 art exhibits.
11 curated panels/talks.
CASE STUDY
Celebrating African Americans Through Public Art | July 15 – Nov 17, 2019
City of Asheville Economic Development & Public Art Depts
STORY OF NOW
After soft-launching a Visiting Artist
Project in Fall 2018, the City of Asheville and its Economic Development staff worked closely with African-American community leaders to establish a leadership council, secure funding, and procure a contract for a Project Manager that would move the final work to completion and installation in honor of the legacy of the Black community.
adé PROJECT: SCOPE OF WORK
Artist Recruitment + Education
Designed and facilitated an RFP for local artists of color, hosted community art workshops + supported submissions.
Curate Art Installation + Celebration
Cultivated a welcoming celebration at the historic YMI Cultural Center following the completion of artworks.
Public Relations + Community Outreach
Created a communications plan, artists of color directory and drafted original content for PR, social media + news.
Leadership + Advisory Team
Conducted community meetings, input sessions and integrated ongoing, participatory design from locals.
STORY OF ORIGIN
On December 21, 1978, Dr. Wesley Grant Sr, presented city officials with a list of
demolished or displaced establishments, which he simply titled, “losses.” It accompanied
a letter which began, “In the East Riverside Area, we have lost more than eleven hundred
homes, six Beauty Parlors, five Barber Shops, five Filling Stations, fourteen Grocery Stores,
three Laundry Mats, eight Apartments, seven Churches, three Shoe Shops, two Cabinet
Shops, two Auto Body Shops, one Hotel, five Funeral Homes, one Hospital, and three
Doctor’s Offices.” A total of 16 types of businesses and residential areas. The combined
total of 16 cubes on Eagle & Market St represent those losses. The mural map represents
the area of the BLOCK where they were once located. The Market Street Installation
represents the past, the Eagle Street Installation Represents the future.
The story + impact.
Hope Springs Forth Brightly tells the stories of the past, but most importantly the future. The installation is an incredible collaborative artwork. It was the vision of Art Ecologie: Monique Luck, Flavia Lovatelli and Francisco Gonzalez. Created with care and with impute from local artists, historical guides, community members and children who contributed to the artworks, it includes the amazing local talent of muralist Joseph Pearson and Literary artist Phylis Utley whose words infuse energy into the installation. The artworks on the cubes were created by weaving historical images and designs, evoking compassion-contemplation, thought. Hope Springs Forth Brightly is a physical and hopefully, spiritual, reminder of the throbbing heart of the Black community demolished
during urbanization, a heart being repaired with time and storytelling. The public art project was facilitated and managed by Cortina Jenelle as well as a 12+ member community leadership team that met monthly.
- Leadership participation – 80%
- YOUTH ENGAGED FROM START TO INSTALL – 85%
- Met PROJECT GOALS – 100%
leadership meetings
Project Mgmt Hrs
artists hired
community events
Why IT MATTERS
Through intentional, authentic and positive storytelling, we learn how to see the big picture, synthesize information, live with paradox, collaborate with others, own our stories, and so much more. These are all right-brain skills that leading thinkers claim are crucial for success in the modern world. Creative expression brings down the walls and builds trust, connecting us across cultural, religious, socioeconomic, and generational divides.
Mass Media Depicts Black People as Unintelligent, Poverty-Stricken, Violent, Criminal. That is Not All That We Are, and Sharing our Stories Will Reclaim our Right to our Humanity.
Students are Suffering from Half Truths and Broken Pieces to our Stories.
Our Story Does Not Begin or End with Slavery. Narrative reclaimation IS the Reparation Work Needed to Cultivate Holistic Development for Youth + Adults.
Let’s CREATE + DESIGN TOGETHER. Say Hello!
Drop us a line using the form below to inquire about adé PROJECT Storytelling.