Intimate Conversations with Dani Tirrell

"Black love is complex, nuanced. Black love is- in some moments- the process of undoing many layers of harm, hate, and pain. It is also rooted in the comfort of the familiar, the movement of bodies. It is gestural. It is the thickness of our language, you can hear it. It is tastable, touchable, and loud yet it can also feel delicate and ephemeral." Eve Sanford is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and arts leader. Evelyn is a Chicago native whose connection to the city and memory drives much of the voice behind her work. She worked nearly 20 years teaching visual and performing arts for Chicago public and charter schools and various community centers, museums, and programs. Eve's educational philosophy moves her to facilitate creative experiences that engage multi-generational students and viewers in the exploration of self, community, and purpose. As an artist, her work often takes the form of jewelry, photographs, paintings, curated experiences, events, set and costume design, and installations. She explores identity, vacancy, community, and healing through all its intersections with a primarily autobiographical lens. Eve is an alumna of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFAAE) and Seattle University (MFA). She currently serves as the Director of Programs for Pratt Fine Arts Center, Vice President of the Board of Directors for Shunpike. Eve is currently an artist in residence at the James and Janie Washington Foundation. Support Eve: Venmo: ejs246 cashapp $eveydoesit

"Black love looks like that photo of James Baldwin and Maya Angelou dancing; euphoric, delightful and free." Elisheba Johnson is a curator, public artist and administrator. Johnson, who has a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts, was the owner of Faire Gallery Café, a multi-use art space that held art exhibitions, music shows, poetry readings and creative gatherings. For six years Johnson worked at the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture on capacity building initiatives and racial equity in public art. Johnson is currently a member of the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Network advisory council and has won four Americans for the Arts Public Art Year in Review Awards for her work. She currently co-manages Wa Na Wari, a Black art center in Seattle's Central Area that uses the arts to build community and resist displacement. Cash App: $WaNaWari

"Black Love looks like radical inclusivity and radical non-judgmental." Arif Gursel is a serial and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience gained from a unique blend of professional experience. Gursel specializes in product development, technology strategy, and business model development equipped to lead initiatives & people toward common goals. He's most passionate about consumer behavior in the digital space and empowering resource poor communities through S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts and Media) education. His company VIBEHEAVY continues to serve as a startup lab where they create and spin out new brands, products, and services across multiple industry verticals with a specialty in entertainment, fashion, and hospitality. Similarly, his nonprofit Pan African Center for Empowerment, PACE follows an agile technology startup model focusing on improving the lives of people of African heritage across the globe.

Black love looks like: "Hope in the eyes of those who have been told they will never know love, yet experience it despite the world's efforts." Brian J. Evans is a Citizen Artist, defined by the Aspen Institute Arts Program as: Individuals who reimagine the traditional notions of art-making, and who contribute to society either through the transformative power of their artistic abilities, or through proactive social engagement with the arts in realms including education, community building, diplomacy and healthcare. Mixing disciplines, mixing professions, and of mixed race, Brian J. Evans unpacks the “moments of suspension” that reside in the spaces between spaces. Convinced that connections exist between us all and it is the responsibility of the Arts to remind us to be holistically human, lest we forget. Courageous vulnerability and intentional equity keeps him aloft as he finds ways to give back and add to the communities, mentors, and ancestors who blazed trails and continue to do so! Evans is a recipient of a 2015 McKnight Dance Fellowship, administered by The Cowles Center and funded by The McKnight Foundation. A former decade long principal dancer and musical director for Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, Evans believes it is the responsibility of the Arts to rediscover existing connections within humanity. He has a MFA from the University of Washington (UW) Seattle Campus and was awarded the Howard P. Dallas Endowed Fellowship for his service on the UW dance department's newly founded diversity community and serves as a liaison on the Divisional Arts Diversity Committee. His next adventure includes a tenure-track professorship in the Theater and Dance department at Bates College in Lewiston, ME. www.brianjevans.org Watch Brian's latest work, LOPsided, on CD Forum TV.

"Black Love looks like loving yourself first. Loving your spirit, your voice, your talents, your skin, your discernment, your strength, your vulnerability. Black Love is seeing yourself as valuable and loveable." Shaunyce Omar is a film and stage actor based in Seattle, Wa. In addition to performing, Omar is a teaching artist and has taught in both public and private schools, arts organizations and overseas as a Master Sensei of Gospel Music in Japan. She holds a B.A degree in Theatre from Southern University and A&M College. Support Shaunyce: Cashapp: $NyceSomar Venmo: @ShaunyceOmar

"Black love looks like Sunday dinner at mom's! Black love is the tightest hugs from your thicker older Black grandparents, parents, aunties and elder cousins! It looks and feels like family reunions with the old folx doin a little bit too much, and frankly, I'm them old folx now! It's smooth and buttery, is well seasoned, and doesn't ask me to make myself small for no one else to feel good. Black love looks like what it felt like to watch the Black aunties on the Verzuz battle- histories and togetherness and dancin when the jam comes on, and remembering what it was like to (fill in the blank) and somebody else gets it, sees it and feels it! And Black love is bigger and better than everything. Yeah, I said that!" Seattle soul singer, emcee, teacher, Rain City Rock Camp Adult Program Director, “Westminster Daddy” and Black auntie, Adra Boo, walks through walls. While some in the age look to construct boxes for others, Boo flouts these efforts, working to inspire through interconnectivity, sacrifice and, of course, a touch of sweetness. Adra performs as part of new wave noir band Hotels, Simone Pin Productions and Dark Diamonds Burlesque, indie-soul duo Fly Moon Royalty, and as a solo artist, sharing stages with internationally known musicians and burlesque performers across the country. A veteran performer on myriad stages, Boo has been compared to timeless musicians like Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner, unafraid to ruffle feathers or rouse would-be audiences. And while all of these efforts cause her to stand out in the city, it's her work as an artistic liaison that has made her a local legend. The real question is what hasn't Adra Boo done?! Support Adra Boo: paypal.me/adraboo Venmo: @adraboo Cashapp: $adraboo

"Black Love looks like: Finding peace in yourself, knowing you don't have to conform to fit a box someone else created of Black love or Blackness, loving all of yourself, self-acceptance, being ok with what makes you different from your partner(s), and Anything a Black person wants and needs it to look like." In their conversation, Dani and Majinn cover the topics: University of Washington, Tacoma, street dance, and being creative. About the artist: “Majinn" Mike O'Neal (He/They). is a queer mixed Black movement artist and educator who utilizes their training in multiple dance forms to find and express their whole self. Majinn works to help guide people in becoming more confident and connected in their bodies, express themselves and be able to speak their voices through Black social dance forms. Majiinn is always aiming to learn and grow and to give back to and support the communities they come from in any way they can. You can find Majinn on Instagram @majinn_mike and Youtube: youtube.com/MajinnMike.

Dani and guest Quynn Johnson talk Mom's creativity, Lucky's Tap Dancing Feet, and being a teaching artist. What does Black love look like? "This is a hard question to answer because for me it looks like many things. For me it looks like long walks in the city talking about life and God, it looks like cuddling on the couch watching reruns of A Different World, it looks like a focused meeting of minds to build an empire. Dancing to Earth, Wind, and Fire or a quick slap on the but as I walk across the room. It looks like transparent conversations while cooking. Walks with friends to discuss life and venting to a listening ear. Meetups with the homies to catch and crack jokes. This list could go on, but I hope it paints a picture of not only Black love in relationships but friendships as well." About Quynn Johnson: Quynn Johnson, a graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., and native of Flint, Michigan, is an award-winning performing, teaching artist and author. She has toured as the tap soloist in the Tony Award-winning production After Midnight (NCL) and performed both nationally and internationally. Highlights include featured 2020 recipient of the Kennedy Center Local Dance Commissioning Project, soloist in the Washington Ballet production of The Great Gatsby, Cirque du Soleil's Mosaic production, the Festival Folclórico del Pacífico and in Buenaventura and Cali, Colombia and has toured Peru as part of the Festival Internacional de Cajón Peruano. Quynn is the co-creator of the D.C.-based percussive dance company SOLE Defined with Ryan Johnson. A National Credential Residency Teaching Artist with Young Audiences and a Wolf Trap TA, in 2014 and 2017, she won the Individual Artist Award for Dance Choreography (MSAC). As a teaching artist, Quynn has reached over 9,500 youth from pre-k through 12th grade with assemblies, residencies, and workshops. Her arts-integrated residencies bridge tap dance with literacy, math, Social-Emotional Learning. In 2011, Quynn became a self-published author with her children's book, Lucky's Tap Dancing Feet. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Skin I'm In LLC in partnership with CD Forum for Arts & Ideas present the second part of a two-part series of Intimate Conversations | Special Topic The Whitening of African Dance, Part 2 Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 3PM PDT (6PM EDT) Conversation will be live streamed on CD Forum's Facebook, YouTube & Twitch pages This panel discussion co-moderated by Dani Tirrell & Lakema Bell, is the second conversation looking into black women experiences in the African Dance community locally and globally. A conversation around the gradual to almost sudden take over of black spaces by the dominate culture. A time to acknowledge and begin healing from trauma induced experiences. A SOUL FILLED conversation for us by us. Panelists include Muisi-kongo Malonga, Dr. Orisade I. Awodola, Makeda Ebube, and Sumayaa Diop. For panelist bios and more information please visit: https://www.cdforum.org/post/intimate-conversations-special-topic-the-whitening-of-african-dance-part-2 About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

"Black love looks like family, in all its many guises. Ancestral, by blood, found family. It looks like embodied culture…. and discovered culture. Sometimes we find and find out about lineage later than expected or desired. It doesn't make it any less real or desired. Black love FEELS like comfort. It's in our food, our style, our language. It looks like self love, self acceptance, self possession. It looks like bonds not bondage." Educator and choreographer Melanie George is Dani Tirrell's guest on #IntimateConversations this week. The two talk about hair, Jazz and loving your 40s, and Dani asks Dani's favorite question, "What is your Joy?" Support Melanie through Venmo: @Melanie-George-7 About Melanie George: Melanie George is an educator, dramaturg, choreographer, and scholar. She is the founder of Jazz Is… Dance Project and an Associate Curator and Scholar-in-Residence at Jacob's Pillow. As a dramaturg, she has contributed to projects by Urban Bush Women, Raja Feather Kelly, Susan Marshall & Company, and Ephrat Asherie Dance, among others. A highly sought after teacher and choreographer of the neo-jazz aesthetic, Melanie is a featured contributor and consultant for the documentary UpRooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance. Publications include “Jazz Dance, Pop Culture, and the Music Video Era” in Jazz Dance: A History of the Roots and Branches (University Press of Florida) and “Imbed/In Bed: Two Perspectives on Dance and Collaboration” for Working Together in Qualitative Research (Sense Publishers). Melanie also works as an arts consultant, applying her expertise in scholarship and education to assist artists and arts organizations in articulating language and facilitating the development of creative work. In addition to her work with independent choreographers and dance educators, Melanie has provided professional services to The Joyce Theatre, The Guggenheim Museum, and BAM, among others. She is the former director of the dance program at American University, and has held teaching positions at Kent State University and Wilson College. Currently, she is a Visiting Professor at Cornish College of Arts in Seattle, Washington. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

"Black love looks like the collective realization of the nature of mind and the spreading of magic and wisdom that arises from this realization." Intimate Conversations guest Jaelynn Scott & Dani Tirrell talk about ministry, Buddhism, WA Blqck Trans Task Force. About Jaelynn Scott: Jaelynn Scott is the Executive Director of Lavender Rights Project, a queer and trans legal services nonprofit. Jaelynn has worked as a Director of HR, Operations, and Education for nonprofits and religious organizations. She is also an ordained minister and regularly preaches and facilitates workshops on justice and mindfulness in her previous career as a minister and religious educator. She is passionate about queer and trans liberation, sacred practices for self-care, decolonize labor practices, and mindfulness in the workplace. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

This week's #IntimateConversation is with artist, educator, and organizer jumatatu m. poe. Host Dani Tirrell and jumatatu talk about J-sette, collaboration, rest and Study Sessions: Fieldstories Visit CD Forum's Instagram to see jumatatu's answer to the question, "What does Black love look like?" and support jumatatu through PayPal at financials@jumatatu.org. About jumatatu m. poe: I am an artist, educator and organizer based in Sakimauchheen Ing (momentarily called Philadelphia) who grew up dancing around the living room and at parties with my siblings and cousins. My early exposure to concert dance was through African dance and capoeira performances on California college campuses where my Pan-Africanist parents studied and worked, and I started “formal” dance training in college with Umfundalai, Kariamu Welsh's contemporary African dance technique as taught by C. Kemal Nance. My work continues to be influenced by various sources, including my foundations in those living rooms and parties, my early technical training in contemporary African dance, my continued study of contemporary dance and performance, my movement trainings with dancer and anatomist Irene Dowd around anatomy and proprioception, my sociological research of and technical training in J-sette performance with Donte Beacham. Through my artistic work, I strive to collaborate in the creation of better worlds for Black queer folks, to create lovingly agitating performance work that recognizes History as only one option for the contextualization of the present, and to continue to imagine options for artists' economic and emotional thrivability. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Dani Tirrell and guest Anastacia-Renee talk about Queer Mama Crossroads, being a queer Mother and being present in her joy. “Black love looks like Afrofuturism rocking a retro shirt and re-(purposed) commitment. Hair a mess of love, lips blinking with “yes,” eyes moist with home.” Anastacia-Renee is a multigenre writer, educator, interdisciplinary artist and Deep End Podcast co-host. She is a 2020 Arc Fellow(4Culture),recipient of the 2018,James W. Ray Distinguished Artist Award for Washington Artist (Literary), Seattle Civic Poet (2017-2019),Poet-in-Residence at Hugo House (2015-2017), and Jack Straw Curator (2020). Renee has received fellowships and residencies from Cave Canem, Hedgebrook, VONA, Artist Trust, Jack Straw, Ragdale, Mineral School, Hypatia in the Woods and The New Orleans Writers Residency. Anastacia-Renee's work has been published in, Furious Flower: Seeding the Future of African American Poetry, Spirited Stone, Foglifter, Auburn Avenue, Pinwheel, The Fight and the Fiddle, Glow, The A-Line, Ms. Magazine and many more. https://www.anastacia-renee.com/ https://fryemuseum.org/exhibition/7398 Recorded over Instagram Live on September 19, 2020. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Skin I'm In LLC in partnership with CD Forum present Part 1 of a two-part series of Intimate Conversations | Special Topic The Whitening of African Dance, Part 1 was recorded on Saturday, September 12, 2020 and streamed on CD Forum's Facebook and YouTube. This panel discussion co-moderated by Dani Tirrell & Lakema Bell, is a look into black women experiences in the African Dance community locally and globally. A conversation around the gradual to almost sudden take over of black spaces by the dominate culture. A time to acknowledge and begin healing from trauma induced experiences. A SOUL FILLED conversation for us by us. Panelists include Dr. Orisade I. Awodola, Makeda Ebube, and Sumayaa Diop. Read more about Lakema Bell and her guests below. For more information: https://www.cdforum.org/post/special-conversation-the-whitening-of-african-dance About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Listen to host and curator Dani Tirrell and guest Milvia Berenice Pacheco Salvatierra talk about creating and falling in love with yourself, and being a dope artist on this week's #IntimateConversation. “Black Love Looks like the current of the rivers that never stop despite the geography of the terrain. It looks like a dagger that goes through the bodies and when it comes out becomes songs and dances. It looks like a glassless mirror that can reflect the invisible walls of systemic oppression and racism. It looks like open breasts, filled with warm milk that breastfeeds and nourishes the entire humanity. It looks like Gospel, Calypso, Festejo, Hip Hop, Punta, Blues, Fandango, Soca, Samba, Tango, Reggae, Bossa Nova, Candombe, Batucada, Afrobeat, Culo'e Puja, Currulao, Tamborito, Merengue, Timba, Quitiplas, Cumbia, Chimbangle, Tap and many other rhythms, dances and sounds that are created with or without a drum, but with the rhythm of the drums-beats of the spirit-heart. It looks like a concentric circle of sister/brotherhood that is supported by the planted roots of our ancestors, which at the same time support the bare feet of their descendants and embrace with their outstretched arms the black diaspora that balances the seeds of historical awareness of black culture between their fingers. They look at himself as a powerful love, a God love that represents themself as an androgynous being with a skirt made of water surrounding their hips, a bronze armor on their chest, and a crown of fire on their head. It looks like a flexible and permeable love that accommodates and transforms into a multiplicity of forms. This is how Black Love looks to me.” Intimate Conversations happen on Instagram Live on CD Forum's Instagram, every Saturday at 3PM Pacific Time. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Dani talks with guest Saira Barbaric about connection and investigation, adult entertainment and a new selfie challenge. Support Saira through Cashapp: $Okphoebe. “Black love looks like patience, resilience and innovation in the face of chaos.” Intimate Conversations happen on Instagram Live on CD Forum's Instagram, every Saturday at 3PM Pacific Time. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Dance artist Michele Dooley is Dani Tirrell's guest on this week's #IntimateConversations. Support Michele through Venmo: Michele-Dooley-1 & Cashapp$michelefelicia “Black love looks like incomparable support. Black love looks alive, golden and vibrant. Black love is coated with sweetness and warmth.” Intimate Conversations happen on Instagram Live on CD Forum's Instagram, every Saturday at 3PM Pacific Time. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Dani Tirrell and guest Kiana Harris talk about moving through grief, advocating for your child and love during a pandemic on this episode of Intimate Conversations. Poem: Absorption by Kiana Harris Black love, is loving my body in the now and not the body 10 years ago Black love, is trusting my motherhood. Black love is continuing to see my black child as a kid, even though the world may not. Black love is, dismantling generational trauma Black love is creating a nurturing environment, for me and my mines. Black love is rest Black love is knowing my ancestors humanity, is not only from pain Black love is a form of resistance Black love is embracing my inner petty Black love is laughing at “Karen's” as they envy my black radiance Black love is a revolutionary act Intimate Conversations happen on Instagram Live on CD Forum's Instagram, every Saturday at 3PM Pacific Time. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Actor, singer, writer, filmmaker Lauren Du Pree is Dani Tirrell's guest on this week's #IntimateConversations. "Black love is refusing to succumb to what the world says about us because we know the truth about our brilliance. It's a head nod when we see ourselves walking down the street, a supportive "aaaaye!" when the moment requires it, a warm hug when the world is too much, a knowing look that understands what's hidden behind our ambiguous facial expressions, and a joy that is unmatched. Black love is lit. Black love keeps us going when it seems like we shouldn't have any fight left. Black love is revolutionary." Intimate Conversations happen on Instagram Live on CD Forum's Instagram, every Saturday at 3PM Pacific Time. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Dani & Sadiqua cover a lot in this episode including: Earth Peral Collective, Nile's Edge and motherhood. What does Black love look like? “Black love means a deep understanding of my ancestral lineage expressed through a glorified respect for Black people who share it with me. Black love is a remembering of ancient wisdom and celebration of its reflection through my family, partners, friends, and community. Black love is a depth of joy.” — Sadiqua Iman About Sadiqua Iman: Sadiqua Iman performs as the character Namii and uses burlesque, storytelling, and dance to deconstruct issues of gender fluidity, relationships, and what it means to “strip down”outside of sexual connotations. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Dani Tirrell hosts a panel with the following contributors to the viral video #HELLYOUTALMABOUT created by Northwest Tap Connection. Melba Ayco: Artistic Director and Owner, Northwest Tap Connection Shakiah Daielson: Choreographer Lekema Bell: Dancer/Choreographer Cipher Goings: Dancer Alecia Lemon: Dancer Watch the video of the panel discussion. Watch the full #HELLYOUTALMBOUT video. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Mujale Chisebuka is a twelve-year Seattle-based Entrepreneur and visual artist with a background in graphic design, videography, photography, animation, and publishing arts. Currently a business owner of www.outsidethinc.com, www.mujaleaxp.com, and Co-founder of www.blackdotseattle.com. Conversation recorded on June 13, 2020. Watch Dani and Mujale's conversation on CD Forum's Instagram. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

A special panel conversation with members of Black Lives Matter Seattle - King County. Dani talks with Marlon Brown and Ebony Miranda about collective organizing and the mobilization of Black voices. Conversation was recorded on June 7, 2020. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Chef Kristi Brown-Wokoma of That Brown Girl Cooks! Dani and Kristi talk about food as life, food as art, and feeding the people and standing on the shoulders of our ancestors. Conversation was recorded over Instagram Live on June 6, 2020. Watch Dani and Kristi's episode on CD Forum's Instagram. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Vania C. Bynum is a former Computer Engineer and graduate of Cornish College of the Arts. She has taught and choreographed throughout the Greater Seattle area for almost 20 years. Vania performed in the Paramount & Moore Theaters, Intiman Theatre, Benaroya Hall, the Meydenbauer, and the intimate space of local churches. Utilizing dance as her form of worship, Vania directed the Adult Liturgical Dance Ministry at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship for 11 years. Vania's works have been sponsored by the city of Seattle, 4Culture, Central District Forum, Bossak Heilbron, Microsoft, and Allied Arts Foundation. Artist Trust and Jack Straw are additional sponsors of her new work. Conversation recorded over Instagram Live on May 30, 2020. Watch Dani and Vania's conversation on CD Forum's Instagram. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Jessica Rycheal is a Multi-disciplinary Storyteller and Creative Director from Macon, Georgia. Since relocating to Seattle in 2014, Jessica has carved space for herself in the pacific northwest with a decade of experience in brand strategy and design, and a blossoming presence in the fine art space. Her work embraces vulnerability as an act of resistance, and asks us to challenge traditional notions of identity and belonging as she chronicles tales of healing, resilience, and her journey toward authentic selfhood. Conversation recorded over Instagram Live on May 23, 2020. Watch Dani and Jessica's conversation on CD Forum's Instagram. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Marlon Brown is a hard working black man - married, entrepreneur, activist, educator, strategist, radio show host, former baker and others, Marlon is busy. As a Racial Equity Consultant, Marlon works with businesses, organizations and institutions to understand how to embed racial equity into business practices. Marlon is a board member of several organizations in the area where Marlon can use his gifts in a variety of ways. As host of Church with Mr. B, a Gospel music radio show on Hollow Earth Radio in the Central District of Seattle, WA, Marlon uses that platform to journey through the genre that has been so impactful to his life. You may be surprised by how many different conversation tables you can find Marlon, rest assured that he's fighting for justice and equity at every one! Conversation recorded over Instagram Live on May 17, 2020. Watch Dani's conversation with Marlon Brown on CD Forum's Instagram. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Michael B. Maine's artist statement: "I use photography, video, and audio to work with people to find, develop, and share their stories. Everybody has a story, and I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to know that story, play an active role in it, and share both the process and product with the world. I feel most alive when working with people to bring out and share their authentic selves and stories. I feel personal evolution in each photograph we (”we” meaning the subject and I) make, interview we conduct, or stroll we take—as I find some piece of inspiration from them." Support Michael B. Maine: http://michaelbmaine.com/community-of-support Conversation recorded over Instagram TV on May 9, 2020. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

There are times when just one healing practice or modality won't achieve the balance and healing that some need. Omitosin, The Spiritual Curator, brings many gifts, spiritual tools and workshops to help her clients with their personal transformation…Her collection of healing tools is vast and she supports clients on their path with loving kindness and non judgement. Using intuitive Ifa readings, reiki, chakra balancing, ritual, coaching, as well as crystals, and other tools, Omi assists clients in getting an understanding of their own energy and healing. Her intuitive and mediumship gifts help them “see the unseen”, as well as gain confidence and confirmation of their own gifts. Conversation recorded over Instagram Live on May 2, 2020. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Aviona the Creatrix (she/they) is an afrolatinx curvaceous person who bends time and space itself to be involved in the theater. Aviona is a Seattle-based actor, director, model, teaching artist, stage manager, poet, producer, student and social justice leader. As a social justice leader, Aviona is working to begin a detention replacement program that teaches at risk children and adults art therapy. As a teaching artist, Aviona is developing a solo show of self-written poetry which depicts the intersectionality of being multiracial, accepting herself as queer, while dealing with mental illness and drug addiction. After the performance they offer a poetry writing workshop and the opportunity to share in an open mic setting. Follow them on Instagram @smiling_avi AND @photofocus_avi Support Aviona Rodriguez Brown at: Venmo/cash app :@smilingavi PayPal avibrown1061@gmail.com Conversation recorded over Instagram Live on April 25, 2020. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Naa Akua, 2019 Citizen University Poet-in-Residence, queer poet, emcee, and Gregory Award winning actor. They are a WITS writer-in-residence at Franklin and Roosevelt High School and a co facilitator for Young Women Empowered Y-WE Lead program. Conversation was recorded on Instagram Live on April 18, 2020. Support Naa Akua at: Instagram: @naa_accepts Cash App: $healinglibra About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.

Mx. Pucks A'Plenty is the Director of Junk in da Trunk, the Michelle Obama of Burlesque, and Seattle's Own Mxtress of #DirtyGlam! This roguish radical is always ready to ride whether it be behind the scenes or on stage. Spreading their black queer magic where ever they go, Pucks is always in control. Pucks is also the founder and co-producer behind What the Funk?! An All POC Burlesque Festival and is the co-producer behind FIERCE! Queer Performing Arts Festival 2020. This producer is known for their solo Puckduction productions and their co productions such as A Brief Puckduction, 4 Leaf Puckduction and Nocturnal Puckduction. The They/Them/Yas Queen of Burlesques is Mx. Pucks A'Plenty and they have #nopucksgiven. Support Mx. Pucks A'Plenty at: Cash App: $pucksaplenty Paypal: www.paypal.me/Puckduction The original interview took place over Instagram Live on April 11, 2020. About CD Forum: The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.