Congratulations to Stories for Solidarity and Mikomi Baker! Stories for Solidarity was fiscally sponsored by the Collins Foundation in the summer of 2020. Shortly thereafter, the group was able to move into one of the upstairs offices at Collins House. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of murals, safely physically-distanced events, and community building.
Sharing the announcement from Miko:
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lost her Dad. This was the person who was supposed to teach her about her culture, about life, about the arts that came so organically to him. So naturally she learned resilience. She learned about police brutality and systems of oppression. She learned about what it meant to be mixed raced and the social responsibilities of being white passing. She put herself through school and got two degrees.
There were people that laughed and made fun of her: told her she wasn’t black enough, educated enough, old enough, man enough, Asian enough, not stereotypical enough, but she kept it pushing and stayed authentic. Like a tree, when you’re connected to your roots you’ll never fall, even if they try to shake your leaves off. Often times we seek validation from others and there were many times she craved it. But that didn’t stop her. Chronic pain, mental illness, poverty, single motherhood, and so much more couldn’t stop her. Even a PANDEMIC didn’t stop her.
Survivors will always rise to the top. It wasn’t a pretty journey and it’s not over yet, but to know people were touched by something that caused them to activate was all the validation she needed. Sometimes we don’t know what the universe has planned for us when we experience pain. Turn that pain into power.
Thank you to all the community members who worked with us and made this mission a reality. Thank you to GenArts Silicon Valley (@genartssv) and those who voted for us for the Mover and Shaker Award for 2020.
We’re not the loudest in the room, but you better believe we’re the most dedicated and authentic group in what we’re working towards. Much love to all the artists, educators, and entrepreneurs who help us and love us, grateful for everyone who continues to donate to us, the people who are inspired by us, and most of all the community full of love and SOLIDARITY for BIPOC arts, education, and social entrepreneurship. Ain’t nothing to it but to do it! Can’t wait for what 2021 brings.
#art #artist #artistic #artists #arte #dibujo #myart #artwork #illustration #graphicdesign #graphic #color #colour #colorful #painting #drawing #drawings #markers #paintings #watercolor #watercolour @San Jose Peace and Justice Center
