IMAGO ORIGINAL: Black Lives Matter. So Does Black Joy.

Artist: Adrien Piper, The Probable Trust Registry

Hello, Friend, 

"2018. I had just spent four-plus hours with Adrian Piper's work. I bore witness to the beyond painful truths she laid bare in her work and that I know too well:

• The subtle (and not so subtle) racism at dinner parties (My Calling Card #1 + #2)

• Destructive assumptions about the Black body (What It's Like, What it Is #3 and here)

• The violence done to Black bodies in the name of I don't know what (Black Box/White Box)

• The challenges of race passing and colorism in the Black community (Decide Who You Are #1: Skinned Alive)

I sat with the impermanence of it all (Everything Will Be Taken Away), signed the Probable Trust Registery, committing myself to be too expensive to buy, along with other commitments. I hummed to a security guard (The Humming Room), and through it all, tears brimmed and my chest was tight. It was hard to breathe.

And then I came across this last piece...

Adrian Moves to Berlin. And the tears came. In the middle of the Museum of Modern Art, I let it go, a watershed of tears. I watched 38ish minutes of the 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 33 seconds video of Adrian dancing joyfully on the streets of Berlin. I didn't care who saw me - I was transfixed by her resilience and choice to claim freedom and joy when it seemed so remote. When I began to walk away, still wiping tears, I noticed a Black security guard intently watching me. Our eyes met, locked, and we stood looking at each other for a long while, smiling at each other with recognition.

George Floyd is being laid to rest today. It's been over a week of wall to wall protests, vigils, demands for the basic humanity of Black folks to be fully recognized. And yes - that's essential, and I'm beyond grateful to see the energy building, not diminishing. We need this moment, however painful it is.

AND... our claiming of JOY is equally essential, because for damn sure it's not going to be handed to us on a silver platter. Adrian's work - all of it - has been a source of comfort for me over the past weeks as I've worked to make sense of this moment, moving out of numbness and into action. My joy - and yours - is a non-negotiable.

Yours in joy and power,

Angela Powell, Founder
Imago, LLC

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A resource to support you: 
The Obama Foundation is asking us to meet anguish with action.

• The Foundation has created a resource page that is regularly being updated with ways to show up in this moment. You can find it here.

• The Foundation is also hosting Town Halls. Check out the first two, Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Police Violence, and Mental Health and Wellness in a Racism Pandemic.

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IMAGO ORIGINAL: Step by *Uncertain* Step

Hello, Friend, 

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ~Lao Tzu

I have a strong sense that every moment I am living through each day is creation: the creation of my mini-world, and of the existence we are co-creating together. Of course, this is always true ~ we are always co-creating the future together, moment to moment, step by step.

But there's something about this moment that feels distinct: step by uncertain step we are figuring out together what must end, what needs to evolve, and what is emerging that will serve us tomorrow, the day after that, the day after that, and...

Taking decisive steps in the face of such uncertainty to test new or expanded options is no easy feat, and I know that I need my relationships and connections to do it. That includes you. I want to know:

• How are you doing?

• What are you struggling with?

• Where are you finding joy?

• How can I join you where you are and in what you are curious about?

Please reach out and let me know how you are - just to check-in or to let me know how I may be able to support you. Let's continue to build the future together. Thank you for all you do.

Yours, step by uncertain step,

Angela Powell, Founder
Imago, LLC

IMAGO ORIGINAL: And So We Press On

Hello, Friend, 

I don't have to tell you how much the assumptions of our everyday living are being upended - you're living it in real-time with me. It's uncertain, it's in moments scary, it's challenging to our cores. This is a moment to take good care of ourselves and others as we move into uncharted territory.

Still, the COVID-19 pandemic is exposing our fragile - and in some places flat out broken - community safety nets. Now that we see the cracks so vividly, we may actually choose, as a global society, to do something about it.

In the midst of such systemic inequities, finding simple but powerful ways to support each other is paramount. So is staying resilient in the face of uncertainty and risk. Imago was recently commissioned to conduct a qualitative research study about how African Americans in Washington State are thinking about and experiencing health and well-being.  Learn more and read it here.

Each day is an unwritten page that we get to write together. In the words of President Obama: "The future rewards those who press on... I'm going to press on."

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And So We Press On: A Community View On African American Health In Washington State is the third in a series of reports assessing barriers to success for Black Washingtonians. Released in 2020, it draws on the experiences of 588 study participants from across the state to paint a picture of Black health and well-being.

IMAGO ORIGINAL: Taking Stock

As Imago is expanding, I'm feeling growing pains here and there. While it's exciting stuff, I'm being stretched to move into new territory, deepen my work in my areas of strength (and joy!), and learn to let go of - and delegate to expert hands - the work that I've never particularly been great at. Taking stock is an iterative process for me these days, and stepping into expansiveness is my goal.

We are all asked to hold a lot in our days - and some of that work lights us up, while other work is draining and tough. While there are absolutely moments of hard work that is unavoidable, doing more of what 'lights you up' is both good for you and good for the work itself. You can ask:

• What lights me up and is in my sweet spot? Keep that stuff on your plate.

• What lights me up but isn't a particular strength? These are places to dive into skill development.

• What doesn't light me up and also isn't a particular strength? Here you can look for opportunities to delegate or create efficiencies.

This is an exercise I explore with new coaching clients, and it allows for a spacious conversation about right work. A portion of the exercise is linked here. I challenge you to complete it yourself and if you want to dive deeper - you know where to find me! 

MEET KATIE

Katie’s role as Associate involves Imago client project management, data collection and synthesis, and overall facilitation support.

Awarded “Most Spirited” in my 8th grade yearbook, my enthusiasm and excitement for the world around me rarely goes unnoticed. This passion drove me to a career in the performing arts field, where I spent more than two decades as a dancer, teacher, and arts agent/manager. 

My desire to engage in broader social change work led me to earn my masters degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University, where I focused my Capstone research on alternative nonprofit governance methods. I believe deeply in the importance of honoring diverse perspectives and collaboration across differences. I am thrilled to have recently joined Imago. View my LinkedIn profile for a more detailed work history.

Here’s what you won’t find on my resume:

I AM A LIFE-LONG LEARNER

I believe that my experiences in the "school of life" have been just as valuable as my formal education. After earning a BFA degree from CalArts and exhausting a performing journey in the legacy American modern troupe, Limón Dance Company, I have worked in fund development, marketing and communications, and public policy advocacy. I have taught myself basic web design, have scholarly experience in designing DEI strategy, hold teaching certifications in Yoga and Pilates, and am continuously inspired by new opportunities to be curious.

I SEE OPPORTUNITY WHERE OTHERS SEE CHALLENGE

I am thrilled by challenges, including those presented by today’s over-sized cars, parallel parking, and unthinkably tiny city spots.  I partly attribute my parking talent to a Jedi-like spacial awareness gained through 20+ years of dance training, but also know that my dance training afforded me the sublime gifts of astute observation, perseverance, and the ability to transform critical feedback into opportunity.

I LOVE TO PLAN, AND PLAN TO STAY FLEXIBLE

I’m known by some colleagues for the joy I take in creating colorful tracking spreadsheets. In my spare time, I am honored to share my affinity for planning with COFA Alliance National Network - Washington (CANN-WA) and Artist Trust, both in volunteer capacities. Returning to graduate school at 39 and "Mama" to a very energetic one-year old taught me the value of retaining the beginner's mindset, creating and utilizing support systems, and planning for the invariable event that the unplanned will occur.

IMAGO ORIGINAL: As Strange As You

“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world, but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you.” ~Frida Kahlo

Wishing you peace and warmth this holiday season! Each year, I am grateful for this time of the year that gives us a reason to change pace, reflect on the past and, reset for the new year. 

I wanted to send this message to say Thank You for joining us on this ride. Our Imago team is growing and we are looking forward to sharing what we have been planning for this coming year. 

IMAGO ORIGINAL: Investing in Community

Hey, Friend, we want to donate $5000 this holiday season - and we need your help!

As 2019 comes to a close and we reflect on a year of struggles and triumphs, we are celebrating by supporting close-to-our-hearts organizations that are doing great things. We are going to be donating $5 per person who votes (up to $5000), so make sure to forward this email to anyone who you think would like to vote too. 

All that you need to do is visit the webpage and select which organization you would like your donation to go to. The organizations that you can choose for your $5 to go to are Black Girls Code, Sesame Workshop, and Splash. Visit the page so we can tell you a bit about them! 

IMAGO ORIGINAL: Seriously Uncool

"Let me see!” then a tentative what-do-I-say-right-now, “Oh…”

The halo of BIG afro hid an amazing haircut they had just paid for - and they were speechless. The visit to Heidi’s Hair Salon was a treat that two wonderful African American Aunties from church wanted me to have as I started my high school years.

You see, when I left the salon, their trusted stylist had given me a great cut and blow-out + curl, and I walked out looking Janet Jackson-ish - I looked good. But then I had to wash it, and the best I knew to do was to put curl activator in it - which did nothing.

So… I patted it into as much of a ‘do as I could muster and walked out with my head held high - even as I knew it was thoroughly uncool. Nervously I looked at my Aunties who, after a moment, hugged me and said I looked sweet. And I exhaled.

A few months later I went back and added a Jheri Curl (remember those?!) to the cut - and the curl activator worked this time. But I will never forget the gentleness and kindness they showed me in a moment of utter uncoolness - which made them exceptionally cool.

We all need those people in our lives: the ones who help hold us up when we are figuring it out in a particularly awkward way. But sometimes they can’t be right there in the moment we need them. So, we’ve created a set of Affirmation Cards that you can use in a pinch when you need a boost. Let me know how you use them!

IMAGO ORIGINAL: Mindfulness in Living Color

Photo by Madison Lavern

Whatever you may think of the concept of "competition," I work with clients on the regular to make peace with the reality of it. In the context of our work, we talk about "collabotition" - or the awareness that multiple resources (that may be "competing"), linked together, create great possibility for a community well served. We can love, respect, and shine a light brightly on our "collabotators" for what they do well, while at the same time recognize what makes us unique and put it out there unapologetically, so we, too, are "competitive."

I've often found myself frustrated by the lack of "collabotition" in the People of Color (POC)/multiple identities app space on my phone. But lately, things have been shifting - beyond the apps I name below, you can now find lots of cool things like Blebrity, of which developer Jesse Williams said, "We're really proud to be making something that's both for us and by us - and that doesn't require us to change the way we move, speak, or live to be able to make some money and make some people happy."

Take a deeper look and you'll find some incredible emerging meditation and yoga platforms, some of which I've previously featured here. About 6-8 months ago I first became aware of Awaken, then shortly after Liberate and Black Zen launched. There is some over lap in teachers, but it has been exciting to see the emergence of multiple platforms. And Jessamyn Stanley's The Underbelly and Setu are intersectional havens for your yoga practice.

The appearance of these "competing" resources mean that we are more and more visible and able to express/represent the complexity of our identities. And I for one, am thrilled.

Have you used any of these apps or know of any others created by and for POCs/multiple identities that I need to know about?

IMAGO ORIGINAL: Everybody Loves the Sunshine

Dear Friend,

The sun is out and so am I! And if you know anything about me, then you likely know I live my life through art, music, dance, ideas, good food & great conversation.

So what better way to celebrate the summer season than a collaborative playlist? It's filled with music that makes me - and other's from Imago's team - sink into summer, feeling alive, creative and free.

Click through to listen to the Imago team's picks and, if you're a Spotify user, add some of your own summer faves. I'd love to listen in to what gets you moving and happy!