Art & Politics: The Power of Leadership

730 Colorado Boulevard,Denver CO 80206

19 August, 2021

Description

Leadership and art both rely heavily on influencing perspectives to change hearts, minds, and behaviors. Both art and politics are messy at times, but play a key role in the growth of our communities. This session will explore the roles power and influence play and ways the Black community can drive positive change. Who wields the power, how is it transferred, and what can we do to enable the next generation? During this interactive session, Imperfect Pixels artist, Travis Sheridan, will interview Gloria "Glo" Gloria Prioleau-Neal and Regina Jackson to explore the intersection of Art & Politics. 5:30 to 6:00 - View Imperfect Pixel Exhibit6:00 to 7:15 - Participate in Discussion7:15 to 8:00 - Network and ConnectGuest SpeakersGloria "Glo" Gloria Prioleau-NealGloria Prioleau-Neal is well connected communications and public policy strategist with a strong emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion in the public and private sectors. As a former award winning journalist with over 3 decades of industry experience, she is intentional with regard to respecting differing perspectives. I am equally focused on the intentionality of providing a safe space for those who want to obtain a better understanding around DEI. I am at ease initiating and continuing conversations with corporate executives, community leaders, neighborhood advocates and non-profit influencers around DEI issues. Well versed in crisis communication, news media story compilation, issues resolution, social media and proactive messaging especially for communities of color. Regina JacksonRegina Jackson is a co-founder of Race 2 Dinner, an organization that facilitates conversations with white women about systemic racism against Black, Indigenous and women of color (BIPOC) in an effort to push for real change in America. Their goal is to reveal what BIPOC women have always seen: white privilege and white women’s complicity with being part of — and benefitting from — a racist system. She was shaped by early memories of the beatings and horrific treatment of civil rights workers throughout the south, the Goodman, Chaney & Schwerner murders, the murder of Viola Liuzzo, the murder of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the murders of President John Kennedy and his brother Robert. Travis Sheridan has spent his career as a community designer. In various professional and personal roles, he’s focused on creating environments that stimulate thinking, engagement, and capacity building. While this is often manifested in the creation of physical spaces, he uses art to accomplish similar goals. Trained in psychology and conflict resolution, Travis focuses on people’s relationship to the world and the world’s relationship to people -- peace cannot exist without understanding and most conflicts are a result of a gap between expectations and reality. His art practice has included both performing arts and visual arts. As an active member of the innovation community, Travis is fascinated by finding ways to use technology to produce analog experiential art and momentarily create a gap between what is expected and what is real. Travis is skilled at initiating constructive conflict, offering a chance at deeper understanding, and allowing people to find a new kind of peace. Travis is originally from California, but has lived in St Louis since 2012. He is the proud designer and owner of the first shipping container house in the City of St Louis and calls Old North St Louis home.