Posted on in Occupational Therapy Speaks series

Occupational Therapy Speaks Mini Blog Series – CAPSTONE Edition Part 1: Meet Kenzi, OTD student!

Hello Renrenspeakers! Happy first Saturday of OT month! The series is in full effect! Before we dive deep into this interview, I want to give yall a few abbreviations! OTD stands for Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and OT stands for occupational therapy. I will use these terms from here on out, so you can add these acronyms to your pocketbook.

The first person that I have on the blog spearheading the Occupational Therapy Speaks mini blog series – CAPSTONE Edition is my bright colleague, Kenzi! Kenzi is a rockstar, has a plethora of knowledge, and is always on top of her game. I am so honored to showcase her story today!

Irene: What is your name/pronouns?

Kenzi: Kenzi Kuemper, (She/Her)

Irene: Give us a quick synopsis of who YOU ARE! 

Kenzi: My name is Kenzi Kuemper and I am a 24-year-old doctor of occupational therapy student at A.T. Still University, specializing my studies in women’s and pelvic health. I absolutely love working with pelvic health patients because it is something I have struggled with throughout my own life but also something I have watched family members struggle with, especially during and after pregnancies. As a young high school athlete, I struggled myself with stress incontinence (occurs with laughing, sneezing, jumping, running type of activities). As a young teenager, this was embarrassing to have happen. It was not something I wanted to talk about, let alone seek help for (I now know that 34% of young female athletes report struggles with incontinence). Later in my early college years, I began developing chronic pelvic pain and UTIs/ UTI- like symptoms (these symptoms, especially in conjunction are indicative of pelvic floor dysfunction). I came to find out just a few years later when looking into pelvic floor therapy that I had a chronically overactive pelvic floor causing these issues for me. 

Pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction can be embarrassing, depressing, and anxiety-provoking. I share my story with MOST of my patients in hopes to let them know that they are not alone because this topic is so taboo – no one talks about these things. It is so important for me to let them know they aren’t alone in these struggles and that many PF issues are VERY treatable.

Irene: Why OT? Tell us a little bit about how you found OT and what got you into this field.

Kenzi: During my undergraduate studies, I did not know whether I wanted to be an OT or a PT. After further investigation, I recognized OT’s role in mental health and fell in love with the idea behind the profession. During my undergraduate education, I minored in psychology and disabilities studies and thereby had a great appreciation for mental health knowing that it was something I would want to help with in my future career.

Irene: Choose three words that come to mind when you think of occupational therapy. Define each word in relation to OT. Why did you choose these three words? 

Kenzi: Engagement, Mind-Body-Spirit, Wellbeing

I believe occupational therapy is unique in that we are looking at ALL aspects of what makes up a person including their environment, motivations, cognitive abilities, movement patterns, and even routines. Therefore, collectively occupational therapists enable engagement, not merely mobility, and this encompasses the very activities that foster health and wellbeing.

Irene: What is the most beautiful thing about OT to you? 

Kenzi: The most beautiful thing about occupational therapy to me is the connections and relationships we are able to build with our patients. In the world of pelvic health, I have worked with so many people who had just been putting up with their symptoms for years because society has led them to believe that what they are going through is “normal.” I am a huge advocate for the statement “just because it is common does not make it normal.” AND – most pelvic floor conditions are treatable, and if not, made more manageable with pelvic floor evaluation and intervention. 

Irene: Let’s delve into your capstone a little more. What is your capstone about, and what initially inspired you to pursue your capstone topic? 

Kenzi: My capstone project consisted of a 3-part class for postpartum women that was yoga based but also educational in nature. During class one, we discussed time management, habits, and routines and taking on the new role of a mother, identifying helpful and harmful habits and routines to create and cultivate their “ideal day” versus their “typical day.” During class two, we discussed breathing techniques as they relate to the pelvic floor along with common misconceptions surrounding pelvic floor dysfunction. In addition, class two covered functions and dysfunctions of the pelvic floor, when to seek help, how to seek help, and recommendations for pelvic floor therapists in the area. Lastly, class three discussed nervous system regulation and the benefits of knowing how to identify and move in and out of sympathetic and parasympathetic states. 

I was inspired to work with postpartum women for my capstone project because of the research supporting how drastically underserved this population is in the United States. One of the most astounding facts I have come across is that the U.S has the highest rate of maternal mortality compared to any other developed country because of how poor postpartum care is here. In addition, mental health conditions go underdiagnosed and undertreated in this country every year because there is typically only a measly 6-week check up postpartum in comparison to other countries who offer automatic 12 weeks of pelvic floor therapy and paid time off from work to care for their newborn children.

Irene: What has been one win during your capstone and one aspect that has been difficult for you during this capstone process? 

Kenzi: Overall, my capstone project has been a great learning experience and opportunity for me to meet, connect with, and learn from postpartum women and their experiences. I have had the unique opportunity of hearing their stories and struggles, but also their joys and wins in motherhood which has been invaluable. 

One difficult aspect of my capstone experience has been very low attendance in all of my classes. I had 10 open seats in each class and though 5-6 people had signed up, I was lucky to see 1-2 of them. However, I think this is a reflection of the realities of mom life and that while they may sign up for something with the intention of participating, it doesn’t always work out in their favor. 

Irene: For future students pursuing their capstone journey, what advice would you give them? 

Kenzi: My advice to future students is (1) never take anything personally throughout this experience, and (2) remember that this is where you are starting – not everything needs to be perfect!

Irene: What have you learned about yourself through your capstone experience?

Kenzi: I have learned a lot about myself during my capstone experience. However, I would say my biggest lesson thus far is that I am more versatile in my skills than I know.

Early on in this experience, I had my main site contact step away from the project as she did not have time to be a part of it anymore. I was leaning on her a lot for the outcomes of this project as she was a trained trauma informed yoga instructor. However, I was able to pivot, even teaching a class on my own (not as a trained yoga instructor), until I was able to find others to take her place.

Irene:  What are your plans for the future of OT?

Kenzi: Once I am finished with school and boards, I am planning to work for a company in Spokane, Washington called Lake City Physical Therapy. They are an all women’s health clinic that treats male and (mostly) female pelvic floor dysfunction as well as post op mastectomy care for lymphedema. I completed my second level II fieldwork with this company and absolutely loved my time there. 

Irene: Can folks connect with you to learn more about you/support you? If so, please drop your social media info and other creative pursuits down below!

Kenzi: Absolutely!

Instagram: @prettypelvis 

Tiktok: @itsjustkenz

—

Kenzi, your passion for pelvic health awareness and access exudes throughout this entire interview. Thank you so much for your vulnerability, as it is not easy to share the more intimate parts about ourselves. I think your personal anecdotes makes you entering this niche of OT even more special, as you will find that you relate to your clients on a very personal level. I love your holistic perspective of OT, and I especially love that you emphasized that it is not merely all about mobility because we do SO many things and are experts in seeing how these different domains of the personhood contribute to overall engagement. Your capstone is SO important because the numbers regarding high maternal mortality are so stark. When you conflate that with different intersections of identities, that number continues to skyrocket! Increased knowledge regarding pelvic health is critical and can save many lives as well as increase the quality of lives for postpartum mothers. You are really a go-getter because being able to pivot and take on the role as a yoga instructor yourself when you did not intend to do that is difficult! It appears that you pulled it off very well. And lastly, congrats on the job opportunity that you have lined up! You go, girl!

I hope that Kenzi’s blog interview taught you about one area of OT that we are so qualified to be in and inspired you to spread the word about this critical need for people with pelvic floors (so everyone)! Check out her socials as well – she always drops great gems in an aesthetically pleasing format! Stay tuned for the NEXT beautiful OTD student that I will be highlighting next SATURDAY for Part 2 of my Occupational Therapy Speaks mini blog series – CAPSTONE Edition!

Peace and love,

Irene

Posted on in Occupational Therapy Speaks series

Occupational Therapy Speaks – CAPSTONE Edition: Mini Blog Series Loading!

Hello, Renrenspeakers! Happy first of April and happy first day of Occupational Therapy (OT) month! To my occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) out there, y’all ROCK, and the world is so blessed to have you in this field! Occupational therapy, as you will learn, is a beautiful profession that focuses on the person as a whole and aims to help people of all diverse backgrounds and identities achieve independence through engaging in meaningful occupations, or activities.

To celebrate this month, I have such a fun mini blog series that I will be launching! This month’s series is called Occupational Therapy Speaks – CAPSTONE Edition. I have the honor of teaming up with some of my fabulous colleagues who will be sharing their passion areas within OT. Every Saturday, a new interview will be featured on the blog, so make sure that you stay tuned each week to read their incredible stories. We are wrapping up our doctoral capstone experience, so these interviews will focus on the niche areas of OT that is currently being advocated for through their capstone. I am so in awe of my colleagues’ wealth of knowledge that they will be sharing with us on the blog!

Also, I want to give yall a little background about this cover photo for today’s post. I had the privilege of attending the national American Occupational Therapy Association conference this past weekend. I sat in on so many sessions spearheaded by many inspiring OT folks who are still in school or are currently practicing in the field. I felt revived knowing that there are people who want to revolutionize this field so that it is a more inclusive, equitable space for all people. I was able to take a picture behind these famous letters (after a long time of waiting in line, of course). Therefore, I am even more pumped to share with y’all all of the many possibilities of OT through the perspectives of these pioneers in occupational therapy this month!

Peace and love,

Irene

Posted on in Black Is Beautiful series

Black is Beautiful Mini Blog Series – CREATIVES Edition Part 4: Hey, Chelsea!

Hello, Renrenspeakers! Happy fourth and last Saturday of the month! Black History Month is coming to an end, and I am sad about that! You know what time it is on the blog – time for another feature to be showcased! Unfortunately, this is the last of the series, but today’s interview features such a special person to me who will be closing out the Black is Beautiful – CREATIVES Edition mini blog series with Part 4! Let’s welcome to the virtual stage, my Big, Chelsea! In true Renrenspeaks fashion, I gotta hype up Chelsea before we delve into her story on the blog.

Chelsea is my Big, yall! I was so blessed to befriend Chelsea at UCSD, for we hit it off immediately when we met! We were like actual twins in terms of everything that we were doing – we were both natural hair enthusiasts, had the same major, both worked at the Black Resource Center (BRC), and, might I add, very cool ;). During my freshman year, the BRC put on this Big/Little program to help acclimate little ol’ freshman like me to college life. Though the program was a larger “family” unit, Chelsea and I were the younger ones of the family who really hit it off! I remember meeting up at Price Center or other places around campus often to chat about all things life, her hosting a natural hair sleepover night (she put me on this bomb homemade natural hair deep conditioner recipe that I used for years), and literally just her offering her unconditional love and support throughout college. Chelsea is such a bright and dope spirit who is soooo multi-talented and has many gifts she seamlessly executes. I am blown away by the creative projects that she has cultivated and has put into action, and by the many accolades she deserves as a result of her hard work. Yall, let’s give it up for this incredible soul, my wonderful Big, Chelsea!

Irene: What is your name/pronouns?

Chelsea: Chelsea Hicks, She/Her

Irene: Give us a quick synopsis of who YOU ARE! 

Chelsea: My name is Chelsea Hicks and I am a freelance film and video editor based in Brooklyn, NY who takes pride in using my talents to support the visions of fellow storytellers. As an editor, I strongly believe that representation behind the camera is just as important as being on the big screen. Fueled by my ancestors and the legacy I aspire to leave behind, my ultimate goal is to become a well-rounded storyteller who will bring fresh ideas to the entertainment industry. It is through the power of representation that I hope to educate and empower others that look like me to pursue their wildest dreams. 

Irene: Choose three words that come to mind when you think of “Blackness”. Define each word in its relationship to “Blackness”. Why did you choose these three words?

Chelsea:

Culture – In the words of Yoncé, “YOU ARE THE VISUAL BABY.” We are so creative in everything we do, from the way we speak, to the way we dress. With the age of social media, it has become even more clear how much we’ve influenced the world. 

Dynamic – Blackness never has been and never will be a monolith. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, personalities, and occupations, and I love that despite any differences, there always seems to be an unspoken familial connection between us. 

Love – We are such a loving people, sometimes to a fault. But I’m in awe of how big our hearts have been from one generation to the next even as we continue to be subjected to systemic oppression. 

Irene: What is the MOST beautiful thing about being Black to you?

Chelsea: The most beautiful thing about being Black is our spirit as a people. Our ability to persevere through hard times and to muster up the most joyous laugh from the depths of our souls no matter the situation speaks volumes about our character/community, despite efforts to create false narratives about who we are. 

Irene: Define “being a creative.” How has your experience been as a Black creative in your respective field/interest/passion thus far?

Chelsea: I think “being a creative” means tapping into your own imagination to bring your ideas to life. This can range from how to redecorate your room, to how to put together an outfit, to writing a movie script. All of these things require the ability to have a vision, which I believe everyone has. I would say what distinguishes someone as a creative is the willingness to execute.

As a Black woman, my experience as a creative has been both rewarding and frustrating simultaneously. I love my work and look forward to the pride I feel when I put the pieces together for a narrative. However, over the course of my career, I’ve felt unheard, overworked, and disrespected. My knowledge has been questioned and I’ve felt stripped of my own power to speak up about my own ideas. But through these difficult times, I’ve been able to learn more about my strengths, what I will and won’t tolerate, and how to move forward with my integrity still intact. 

Irene: How did you get into the creative space? 

Chelsea: During my internship at the UC San Diego Women’s Center, I created a video project about Black women and the importance of hair in our community. Not knowing how to use editing software at the time, I typed out the edit on a Google doc and collaborated with my high school friend so he could put all of the videos together. This experience is what sparked my interest in editing, not just as a hobby but as a career. After I graduated from UC San Diego, I took a gap year to explore my interests. I was in between wanting to go to film school to learn more about editing or pursuing a Master’s in Public Health because I felt that it would be a more stable option. Ultimately, I decided to take a leap of faith and attend film school, and I am so happy that I let my heart lead me in the right direction.  

Irene: Tell us more about one of your favorite projects that you have worked on thus far. Why was this project meaningful to you, and what did you learn from this experience?

Chelsea: One of my favorite projects has been creating my first short film, CONTRABAN. It’s about a dystopian world where BIPOC citizens are banned from reproducing, and follows a married Black couple that is navigating illegally conceiving a child in this society. It was the first script I have ever written and was initially just for a class assignment in film school. Being the perfectionist that I am, I took it very seriously. I wanted to create something unique that centered Black characters. I was extremely intentional about various story details such as making sure my main characters were dark skinned because of colorism in the film industry, and highlighting married Black couples because of the frequent depiction of single Black women in the mainstream. But I had no idea at the time that I was creating something that would go on to be an Oscar-qualified short film. I was just focused on getting an A in the class. But the accolades weren’t the best part. The best part was being able to create the story that I wanted and feeling a sense of peace knowing that I gave it my all even if no further success came from it. I was not focused on winning or making money. I just wanted to create a compelling narrative that I could feel proud of. From this experience, I learned to make sure I always keep my vision at the forefront even when people try to pull me in different directions, and to always keep an open mind for feedback while also acknowledging that it’s okay to say “no.” 

Irene: Any advice, gems, or words of encouragement for aspiring Black creatives? 

Chelsea: Never dim your light for the egos of men 😉

Irene: What is one of your favorite songs that fits/exemplifies that Black is Beautiful?

Chelsea: Beyoncé – Formation 

Irene: How can we support a fellow amazing Black creative like yourself? Do you have any projects, businesses, creations, etc. that you are working on currently that you would like to speak briefly about, drop below, and/or that we can support?

Chelsea: Currently, I’m working on expanding the world of CONTRABAN. I don’t know what God has in store, and I’ve had several setbacks, but I’m trying my best to push through. So stay tuned! 

Irene: Can folks connect with you to learn more about you/support you? If so, please drop your social media info down below!

Chelsea:

IG Handle: chelseadhicks

IG Handle for CONTRABAN news: contrabanshortfilm 

Email: chelseadenhicks@gmail.com

Website: chelseadhicks.com

—

Chelseaaaa, my Big! Yes! In the words of Queen Yoncé, we really are the visual, baby! Black people, don’t let this world make us forget that! I love your take on what it takes to be a creative. I believe you are exactly right – everyone can acquire some sort of vision. I think where the deviation comes between creatives and non-creatives is the execution. Sometimes we get so caught up with how well the execution should look that we are often our biggest barriers to occupying creative spaces. Yall, I remember Chelsea’s first video project – the importance of hair in the natural community. It was such a powerful collection of stories that she compiled together promoting critical dialogue about natural hair. Stardom was born that day, am I right? Also I HAVE TO SAY – if you haven’t already, go and watch CONTRABAN. It is SO good and I literally had no words when I initially watched it. Chelsea’s intentionality with this film shines through in every scene. My gosh, talk about the power of storytelling!

Well, Renrenspeakers, I hate to have to announce this, but this is the conclusion of the Black is Beautiful – CREATIVES Edition mini blog series! I loved reading each and every feature and working with these inspiring, multi-talented individuals that I am glad to call my friends. This was a time of reconnection for me, as well as a time to reimagine for myself what it means to be creative in the blogging space. I hope that yall enjoyed this series as much as I did and took away some valuable gems and words of wisdom that were imparted on the blog this month. I just LOVE being Black, and I am so happy that I was able to illustrate yet again that Blackness is not a monolith – we do so much and we are in so many diverse spaces! We can be artists, storytellers, podcasters, the list goes on! Yall’s upmost support on the blog with sharing, commentary, and overall praise has been rewarding, so thank you for engaging as well, Renrenspeakers! If you haven’t already, stay plugged in with Renrenspeaks on Instagram! Also, make sure to subscribe to stay caught up with the content that I have coming your way! Stay boldly, unapologetically Black, and enjoy these last few days of Black History Month! 🙂

Peace and love,

Irene

Posted on in Black Is Beautiful series

Black is Beautiful Mini Blog Series – CREATIVES Edition Part 3: Hey, Arielsela!

Hello, Renrenspeakers! Happy third Saturday of the month! Black History Month is flyinggg by, don’t ya think? Though the month is going by quickly, we still have some more features to highlight on the Black is Beautiful mini blog series – CREATIVES Edition! Part 3 is here, and the wonderful person who will be featured on the blog today is my good older sis from college, queen Arielsela! Let’s briefly get into my boast session about Arielsela before we delve into the interview.

Arielsela – where do I even begin in the recount of my beautiful memories with this amazing individual? I have so many. I initially met Arielsela during my freshman year of college. I remember joining the African Student Association (ASA), and she was one of the friendly faces that I quickly became acquainted with and made me feel more comfortable during my transition to college. Her aura was soooo warm, and I could just immediately tell that she was a person I wanted to become friends with. We share so many fun memories together, from being on ASA board, being on the West African dance team, attending museums and other artsy events, enjoying bougie brunches, and her walking for a fashion show I hosted during college as one of my fabulous models. I always looked up to her as a breathtaking individual with many talents and skills to offer this world, and look at her now executing them effortlessly! She is a STUNNING individual inside and out, and I am so excited to share her compelling story today on the blog!

Irene: What is your name/pronouns?

Arielsela: Arielsela Holdbrook-Smith (she/her/they/them)

Irene: Give us a quick synopsis of who YOU ARE! 

Arielsela: Hi! My name is Arielsela, and I am a Ghanaian-American artist and community health professional currently based out of New York City and originally from Los Angeles. Themes I’m interested in include storytelling, Afro-Diasporic expressions, social equity, collective healing, and the transdisciplinary integration of arts, media, and public health. I recently started taking my creativity seriously which has landed me back in school studying performance and interactive media (so take everything I just said and add a tech programming element)!

Irene: Choose three words that come to mind when you think of “Blackness”. Define each word in its relationship to “Blackness”. Why did you choose these three words?

Arielsela:

Ancestry  – So much of our modern cultures are rooted in a deep, rich history! We have a profound connection to our ancestors.

Energy – The Diaspora is so vast, Blackness exists in vibrant and varied expressions around the world.

Artistry – We are continuously creating, making something out of “nothing”, and challenging the workings of society.

Irene: What is the MOST beautiful thing about being Black to you?

Arielsela: The HUMOR. We are HILARIOUS, and I’m a person who loves to laugh. Our sense of humor is really top-tier around the Diaspora and our collective joy is incredibly powerful. 

Irene: Define “being a creative.” How has your experience been as a Black creative in your respective field/interest/passion thus far?

Arielsela: I think you’re a creative if you consider yourself one, but it’s also such an expansive descriptor. The things that usually stand out to me about creative folks are a desire to create and play with ideas, a desire to imagine and re-imagine what this world looks like and how we show up in it.

As a Black creative, so much of my creative practice is connected to culture and ancestry, and an exploration of intersecting experiences. As a Black public health creative, I like to engage in work that bends the traditional frameworks of public health and the arts, but it took me a while to find that intersection of disciplines because the two fields don’t necessarily talk about each other like that (in many academic and professional spaces, we know these conversations been had outside the ivory towers). At least coming up in school, public health spaces didn’t really delve into what arts and media could look like, and vice versa. So it’s been a journey of following a passion as it’s unfolding and as you’re just finding the language to even describe your inklings and intuitions. 

Moving to NYC to attend public health grad school, I definitely was looking to do more creative exploration. I met other Black creatives in the community health department, including my faculty mentor, and secured an arts in medicine internship with the hospital system within the first couple months, and the world of arts in public health started to really open up. The start of the pandemic ended my internship before my first big collab. I wish I could say I jumped into my creative bag but I was busy trying to be a global public health student in a global public health crisis (story for another day!!), but in the months post-grad applying for jobs, I landed a part-time position facilitating arts and mental health workshops for Black college students. I could really go on about how meaningful it was to connect with Black students from around the country, write some poetry together, build community, and vibe. And from there, I dove into the arts & public health intersection once again, particularly by going to conferences. It’s still a little niche, but a rapidly expanding sector. And Black creatives are honestly showing up and showing OUT over here! Are we ready to talk about the bi-directional arts to public health pipeline yet??

Irene: How did you get into the creative space? 

Arielsela: Completely by way of interest, honestly! For as long as I can remember, I’ve pursued creative spaces and opportunities for expression. It’s fun for me! The medium of choice has switched pretty often – between extracurriculars and just general hobbies, I’ve explored a variety of creative spaces from fashion to sketch work to poetry. Dance is one that has really stuck around but I don’t have a lot of formal training because dance classes don’t come cheap! Instead, I have early memories of my mom teaching my sister and me cultural dances at home that we performed at the school talent show. I also have my friends to thank for their encouragement and support, from taking me to my first open mics to attending shows I was involved in. 

Specifically with performance art, I got into it both out of interest and for personal growth. Despite struggling with performance anxiety, I’ve always really loved performance art for the ways it allows us to embody, express, and explore the range of human experience. Engaging in performance art often allows me a space to practice a lot of life lessons/growth points like honoring where my body/mind/spirit is at, being comfortable taking up space instead of playing small, and releasing fear of judgment, to name a few things! With that said, the nature of my performance work is typically collaborative and collective, and focused on the ways that it can foster community healing.

Irene: Tell us more about one of your favorite projects that you have worked on thus far. Why was this project meaningful to you, and what did you learn from this experience?

Arielsela: One project that I think about often is the Rikers Public Memory Project, which collected the oral histories of and in collaboration with people who were formerly incarcerated at or otherwise impacted by Rikers Island. The project aimed to create a narrative collection on archive at the New York Public Library and an interactive multimedia exhibit to continue to push for the closing of the Rikers Island prisons. I had the honor of transcribing the stories of people who were previously incarcerated at Rikers. Stories are so precious, particularly those that are typically silenced. I learned so much about the histories of mass incarceration and restorative justice frameworks; however, the stories really did impact me the most, and the disproportionate impact on the Black community weighs heavy. We cannot forget the atrocities people have experienced there for decades.  It was interesting to be a part of a multidimensional process that tapped into the power of narrative, arts, and population health for social impact. 

Irene: Any advice, gems, or words of encouragement for aspiring Black creatives? 

Arielsela: Don’t wait for permission or external validation before you start to create! If there’s an idea you have, actualize it! It can be scary to tell people your ideas, but sometimes that opens the door to some amazing opportunities and/or collaborations. Know that what you have to offer is valuable, and your voice is necessary! Don’t worry about making something “revolutionary” or “good”, just let your creative intuition take the lead. And don’t forget to enjoy the process of creating. Also! Document everything! Not just for public posting, make sure you have a personal archive to revisit.

Irene: What is one of your favorite songs that fits/exemplifies that Black is Beautiful?

Arielsela: Rush by Ayra Starr!

Irene: How can we support a fellow amazing Black creative like yourself? Do you have any projects, businesses, creations, etc. that you are working on currently that you would like to speak briefly about, drop below, and/or that we can support?

Arielsela: I am currently looking to expand my craft(s) and am open to aligned collaborations with other Black creatives and Afro-Diasporic arts, especially. And if anyone happens to know of any good learning/training opportunities in the realm of Afro-Diasporic movement and performance in NYC, please send them my way!

Working on documenting and sharing my current projects, so stay tuned!!

Irene: Can folks connect with you to learn more about you/support you? If so, please drop your social media info down below!

Arielsela:

IG: @sela.setta 

LinkedIn: Arielsela Holdbrook-Smith

Venmo: @Ariel-SHS

Irene: Anything else you want us to know about you or anything you want to share with the readers? Feel free to drop it down below!

Arielsela: Just that I appreciate their reading ❤ open to chats and thoughts, willing to share info/resources/learnings with others also exploring this area!

—

Arielsela is soooo dope, my goodness. First of all, the relationship between the arts and public health and you paving the way for this niche, emerging practice area is incredible. I cannot say myself that I have deeply pondered on the intersection of the two. I love that you are carving out your own professional and personal path in this area of interest because the arts are so moving and so healing. I also believe it will challenge us to think unconventionally about health systems, beliefs, and customs. Your take on performance art to promote collective healing is touching, and I admire the reminder that it is an opportunity to take up space rather than shrinking yourself. Your role in the The Rikers Public Memorial Project sounds like a moving opportunity to highlight and augment the voices of the unheard and silenced. I am glad that you were put in that position to do so and further promote collective, community healing through your creative lens. Thank you for the gems that you dropped today on the blog because I find myself sometimes resorting to external validation to pursue creative ventures, which I should eliminate completely from my mindset!

As always, I am continuously uplifted and inspired by these features. Thank you, Arielsela, for showcasing your talents with us today on the blog. Don’t forget to stay plugged into the blog this month for more content on the Black is Beautiful mini blog series – CREATIVES Edition! Part 4 of the blog series, aka the LAST post (so sad!) will be here next Saturday! It will sneak up quickly, so don’t forget to keep up with the series by subscribing to Renrenspeaks.com and following the Renrenspeaks Instagram page for notifications and updates! Continue to let your Blackness shine unapologetically!

Peace and love,

Irene

Posted on in Black Is Beautiful series

Black is Beautiful Mini Blog Series – CREATIVES Edition Part 2: Hey, Sage!

Hello, Renrenspeakers! Happy second Saturday of Black History Month! Yall know what time it is – time for another installment of the Black is Beautiful mini blog series – CREATIVES Edition feature! The second person that we will be learning more about today is an INCREDIBLE artist and visionary, Sage. Before we get into today’s interview, let’s take a brief dive into how I was introduced to Sage.

Sage is especially cool because he is a study-abroad friend I met virtually after living in Ghana for a few months back in 2018. Shoutout to Whatsapp for connecting us. When I was in Ghana, I met soooo many people in passing that I cannot keep up with. However, I remember my friends talking about this remarkable artist who painted several shirts for my friends. At the time, I missed my opportunity. Fast forward to coming back to the U.S., my good study abroad sis, Blessing, connected me to Sage as an opportunity to finally get my custom made shirt and to support his artwork overall. He made me this stunning shirt with a Black woman’s face in the heart of the motherland on a yellow shirt that is very flattering for my skin tone. It was such a pretty shirt made especially for me that I still wear regularly. Sage has so much God-given talent that I am so honored to share today with yall on the blog!

Irene: What is your name/pronouns?

Sage: Hi, my name is Laryea Enoch Nii Adjei, and I go by Sage.

Irene: Give us a quick synopsis of who YOU ARE! 

Sage: I am privileged to be an artist. I am a student of the various African artists that have come before me, and my art and techniques have grown and will continue to grow because of that. My work for the past six years has used revealing aspects of my culture and its history, which profoundly impact how I create as an artist. My art is dynamic, and like culture, it’s ever-changing, which has helped me grow as an individual and artist. As audiences view my art, it is my hope that they also undergo the process of change and evolution.

My work ranges from ceramics, sculpting, body painting, illustrating, graffiti, murals, and painting. Occupying the spaces between Afrocentrism, traditional, contemporary, modern, realism, and abstract art, I use diverse materials and techniques to manifest my ideas. I often focus on evoking the voices of those who are often unheard while utilizing various emotions when creating. 

I am interested in social change and humanity, such as the struggles we all face on a daily basis and how art can serve as a bridge to bring people together. Being from Ghana, my painting is inspired by the shapes and patterns of watching cultural dance and the expressions of my people in good and bad times. That is constantly on my mind while I sculpt, paint, and produce bodies of work. I am producing art of people who look like me with various emotions. When I create, I pull from that life experience.

One of my goals for my viewers is that they are inspired when they see my work. I hope it brings them joy and encourages them to lean into their imaginative and creative side.

My works have been exhibited in shows with the Ulti-Leaf Foundation, Ghana Commission for UNESCO, UN Information Center (UNIC) Accra, and the Ghana Association of Visual Artists. I have also collaborated on murals across Accra, Ghana.

Irene: Choose up to three words that come to mind when you think of “Blackness”. Define each word in its relationship to “Blackness”. Why did you choose these words?

Sage:

Love – Black people around the Earth love naturally. With what we have been through throughout the century and even now with slavery, apartheid, colonization, colorism, gun violence, and more, we as a people still have love within our hearts. Sometimes, it’s a bit too much, but I think it’s one of the most important things that keeps us going as a people. 

Peace – From my perspective of being a Ghanaian and within my family home where I was raised with more than 50 people in the home, whenever there was conflict in our home, the elders would always come with peace. They believed it was better to maintain peace than to fight. Just like love, I believe we are a people of peace. Sometimes that doesn’t work for us, but it’s also peace that keeps us going as well. 

I chose the words love and peace because I incorporate them in all of the work that I create. It is a part of me as a Black person.

Irene: What is the MOST beautiful thing about being Black to you?

Sage: One of the most beautiful things about being Black is our resistance – our ability to resist every condition that has been enforced on us. I would also like to add that Black culture is the most beautiful. It’s so dynamic. I attempt to add it to every part of the work I create. It makes me happy.

Irene: Define “being a creative.” How has your experience been as a Black creative thus far in your respective field/interest/passion?

Sage: Being creative is the ability of creating something from nothing. It is using our imagination and skills to produce art that evokes feeling into the viewer. Creating something that will withstand the test of time, changing mindsets, and causing societal change helps move mankind in a better direction.  As an artist, most importantly a Black artist, my art has helped me to evolve personally and understand our culture. As a Black art in Ghana, it has been a struggle, as people there are focused on survival. Thus, it’s hard to sell my art for its value. This is understandable, but I would like to see African art and artists valued for what it is and not valued down.

Irene: How did you get into the creative space? 

Sage: I have always known from a young age that I was an artist. This is something I was born to do. I have worked hard to develop this talent into a skill that I enjoy. When I was in college, I used my creative skills to develop and print T-shirts to sell. Doing that supported me throughout my time in the Northern Region of Ghana where I schooled. In 2012, I started partaking in Chale Wote. It’s an annual street festival that “targets exchanges between scores of local and international artists and patrons.” There, I learned to network, work within the community teaching kids about art, and spearheading the next generation of artists. I also picked up some skills there that I use to this day.

Irene: Tell us more about one of your favorite projects that you have worked on thus far. Why was this project meaningful to you, and what did you learn from this experience?

Sage: One of my favorite projects I have worked and am still working on is called Elevation. I am yet to showcase all of it, but this project is close to my heart because it has to do with the bond of a family. Coming from a single parent household, I see how important it is to have all members of the family present in the home. The project focuses on “broken home” from my perspective and how that can impact the children and adults involved. Family unity and the strength of an African woman are important to me. I have seen and experienced that strength growing up with a single mother with four kids. I saw the resilience of her providing and protecting her family through all the struggles that came her way and how she navigated them. 

Irene: Any advice, gems, or words of encouragement for aspiring Black creatives? 

Sage: Focus on what you want to do and stay determined, work hard, and most importantly, love what you do and you will see results. People will believe in you, but you must believe in yourself if you want to see change. 

Irene: What is one of your favorite songs that fits/exemplifies that Black is Beautiful?

Sage: From the album Distance Relative by Damian Marley and Nas – Africa Must Wake Up.

Irene: How can we support a fellow amazing Black creative like yourself? Do you have any projects, businesses, creations, etc. that you are working on currently that you would like to speak briefly about, drop below, and/or that we can support?

Sage: You can find me on Instagram at sageartgh.

Below are some of Sage’s breathtaking artwork. Check out these pieces!

—

Sage, thank you for sharing your story and for displaying some of your fabulous art pieces on this platform today. These pieces are stunning, and I am just so in awe by the way that you can explore your creativity through the various forms of media that you’ve mastered. Chale Wote was SUCH a fun event when I went, and I am glad that they have you as an artist to contribute to its vibrancy. I am so excited to see the final reveal of Elevation. The inspiration behind this project is beautiful, as African women are SO resilient and strong. I am sure that your mother is going to feel so honored upon the reveal. Thank you for reminding us about the importance of believing in ourselves as well. It is easy to want other people to believe in us, but if we cannot believe in ourselves, what is the point? What a wonderful gem you’ve shared today.

I hope everyone enjoyed Sage’s interview and the associated digital art gallery today on the blog as much as I did. Please continue to stop by the blog and stay caught up on the Black is Beautiful mini blog series – CREATIVES Edition Part 3 dropping next Saturday! Don’t forget to subscribe to Renrenspeaks.com and follow the Renrenspeaks Instagram page for notifications and updates! As always, stay young, gifted, and Black!

Peace and love,

Irene

Posted on in Black Is Beautiful series

Black is Beautiful Mini Blog Series – CREATIVES Edition Part 1: Hey, Kyler!

Hello, Renrenspeakers! I hope Black History Month has been treating you well thus far! The first person I am so honored to have to kick us off with this exciting series, Black is Beautiful mini blog series – CREATIVES edition, is an old colleague and friend of mine, Kyler! Before we launch into the interview, lemme tell yall a little about Kyler!

I distinctly remember meeting Kyler during my senior year of high school when I attended the UC San Diego Black Student Union overnight program. This was an opportunity to learn more about UCSD, and more specifically, to engage with the Black community in an intimate setting, as I was heavily considering which college I would be attending the following year. I literally remember him being one of the first, friendly faces that I became acquainted with. I know it was probably partly his job (lol), but he seemed to be very interested in getting to know more about me. He always made it a point to say hello and check up on me during the program. Once I became an official Triton, he actually remembered who I was, and he always was the first one to invite me to all the Black events happening on campus and extend himself as a resource. Since then, we have been able to reconnect through our own creative platforms years later. Kyler is doing BIG THINGS, as you all will quickly find out. He is multi-talented and has a plethora of creative outlets that are so impressive – I can’t keep up! That being said, let’s launch into the interview today!

Irene: What is your name/pronouns?

Kyler: Kyler Nathan IV, He/Him/His

Irene: Give us a quick synopsis of who YOU ARE! 

Kyler: Similar to every soul reading this, I am still figuring it out.  When people ask though, I am a multi-hyphenated artist from the greatest city in the multiverse, Los Angeles, California.  Those hyphens include being a storyteller, poet, writer, spoken word artist, author, podcaster, graphic designer, and probably some more depending on when you are reading this.  I am a curious person who is trying to make sense of the world and what it means to be human, so I can share those findings with others through story.  Outside of that, I am a higher education professional who specializes in Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, as well as a 2-Time Triton receiving a B.S. in Cognitive Science (focused in Human Cognition), an African-American Studies Minor, as well as an MBA from UC San Diego and Rady School of Management respectively.

Irene: Choose three words that come to mind when you think of “Blackness”. Define each word in its relationship to “Blackness”. Why did you choose these three words?

Kyler: Dynamic, Expressive, Communal.

Blackness is dynamic.  Many people have heard the notion that we are “not a monolith” as Black people.  Throughout the history of Black people across the globe, we have grown in our understanding of who we are, what we are capable of, and what we are up against.  I chose dynamic because I truly believe there is a living force within us all that keeps us growing and evolving in everything that we do.  I remember growing up, my view of Blackness was limited to what I saw on TV and in my neighborhood, and it wasn’t always portrayed in the most loving light.  Now? I have met so many beautiful Black people who are consistently growing in themselves, and learning more and more about their potential.

Blackness is expressive.  We live in a time where we are finally starting to see some representation in mainstream media of Black-identifying individuals.  If you are looking in the right places, you will see a diversity of Black images in the media; however, there is still a lot more progress to be made to see Black images that include folks of different sizes, skin tones, gender identities, gender expressions, ability, and more.  As someone who hosts a podcast with predominantly Black guests, and has been in many art spaces of other Black artists, the ways I have seen Black people express themselves is unmatched.  From our hair and our wardrobe (ESPECIALLY the homies from the continent, y’all be DRESSING!!!), to our written and spoken words, there is so much beauty and history in the ways we choose to express ourselves.

Blackness is communal.  We need each other.  We need each other.  We need each other.  The older I get, I realize just how communal we are as a people.  I can never feel fully at rest until I know my people are good.  In June 2020, when the world found out racism was “still” around, I saw so much love going in every direction between Black folks everywhere.  When I was in college, BSU meetings felt more important than anything else, because this was time to check in with my people.  When I worked as a staff member at the Black Resource Center at UC San Diego, I knew I had the most enviable job in the world, fostering community for Black students.  Seeing our elders and youth out in public and sharing loving glances at them to let them know “I See You.”  

All these things are so important to my definition of Blackness.

Irene: What is the MOST beautiful thing about being Black to you?

Kyler: The MOST beautiful thing about being Black to me is also one of the principles of Kwanzaa, UJIMA, which focuses on collective work and responsibility.  It is so beautiful to me when I am able to talk to other Black folks about what they are passionate about, and almost always, it is rooted in some type of collective responsibility toward our communities.  What makes it beautiful is how deep-rooted this is in everything that we do as Black people.  Affirming each other in a world that aims to sometimes do the complete opposite, giving “the nod” to another Black person I see walking, or checking in on each other’s family, it is all rooted in there being a unifying force between us all that makes us want to uplift each other in this world.

Irene: Define “being a creative.” How has your experience been as a Black creative thus far in your respective field/interest/passion?

Kyler: To me, “being a creative” is when you look at that question, and subconsciously unpack the layers of it based on your unique perspective of how to interpret and convey meaning.  Creative people see the universe and apply their own mental artistry to make more sense of it all in a way that works for them.  To some people, that may be over complicating a simple concept; however, as someone who writes poems and studied the mind in college, it is impossible for me to not see creativity as something that is so universal and so individualistic at the same time.  This very question is really a pillar of why I started The Banquet Hall Podcast – I wanted creatives to have the long-form space to be able to share with listeners the unique lens through which they experience our universe.  I invite everyone taking the time to indulge in this blog post to imagine you are laying in the grass staring at the sky.  A visual artist might be thinking about the hues of colors they are seeing and distinguishing the variety of blues, grays, and other colors they see.  A sound engineer might be thinking of all the sounds they are hearing and might be moved to close their eyes and tune out the visual field and count how many things they hear.  An environmentalist who writes poetry might be thinking about the feelings they have about all the pollutants in the air.  We all have our individual creative perspectives – which is why I think everyone is a creative if you ask them enough right questions.  I think in this capitalist society, we get caught up a lot in being a creative necessitating that you are producing something, but being a creative starts in the mind.

As a Black creative, my experience has been amazing and very frustrating all the same.  

Starting with the amazing parts, Black creatives love uplifting and supporting other Black creatives.  I love when I see someone putting their work out there for the first time, or highlighting their first sale, or celebrating a new milestone with their creative passions.  There is so much grief going on in our world.  Being in community with other Black creatives is a much needed boost of Black joy on any day.  I also just am so appreciative of how intersectionality flows with creativity – a painting starts to mean so much more to me if I know that the artist is a Black Queer Woman versus if it is a white male.

The frustrating part… Capitalism rewards a lot of content that just isn’t good.  You can open any social media app right now and see the latest mediocrity (with all due respect to all creatives everywhere) being pumped up through the algorithm to millions of views.  Scroll a couple times and you might see your friend trying to publicize content or a product that they spent a lot of hard work, thought, and effort to put together.  A lot of times (especially on TikTok), you see a white creator getting millions of dollars in endorsements and support for copying something that a Black creator put out there already.  That frustration though is recycled into my unconditional support for my friends out here grinding trying to find a place in this world.  It is an uphill battle being a Black creative, we need to take more intentional time to affirm that work so we stop losing amazing content due to a lack of perceived support.

Irene: How did you get into the creative space? 

Kyler: The short answer is that life got me into it!  The long answer though starts with peer pressure, and ends in affirmation through introspection.

There are 763 notes in my phone on this app called Evernote.  There are additional notes on other random notes apps on old phones, some things written in journals, and some that only exist in books I’ve published.  The first note though is dated 4/25/2011, 3 days before my 15th birthday, and 12 days before my life changed very significantly (that story is saved for the books).  Anyways, 2 of my friends at the time, Izzy and Orson, were starting to write raps and recording them.  They would be planning time to record and forming connections through writing, and I didn’t want to be left out, so I tried writing something.  I still cringe whenever I look back at that first piece (including when I just looked it up to double-check the date).  Fast forward over the course of the rest of that year, I started writing a LOT.  As with many poets, it all started with falling for a girl and a subsequent heartbreak.  So, so many love-themed poems.  Eventually, it got to a point where I had enough poems to where it didn’t make sense not to put it in a book and try to make some money off of it.  My dad is a poet and author and had published multiple books, so I had some guidance in how to get it done.  I will never forget sitting in the Oakland airport and compiling my first book, 5 South, as I sat and reflected on just how much emotion I was writing about.

Podcasting was a different story.  It took forever for me to become a person who engaged with podcasts.  A close friend of mine started a podcast called Melanin Theory, and even though it took me a while to check it out, once I did? I was hooked.  As many creatives know, sustaining your creative outlet when it isn’t seeing the return on investment you are hoping for, is tough.  Eventually, Melanin Theory concluded, and there was a void that I wanted to fill.  I started looking for other podcasts to engage with, and never looked back (shout out to FourDeepPod, Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachal Lindsay, The Ringer-Verse, The Big Picture, Crash Dummies, Ned’s Pod, Trials to Triumphs, and so many other podcasters that motivate and entertain me so much).  

Then came December 2020.  Obviously there was/is a global pandemic that 2020 is notorious for, and I wouldn’t feel right if I brought up that year and just skated past that.  Within all of the dark times that 2020 brought, the Lakers won a championship, I released a book (more on that later), and a friend of mine, Tiff, approached me about starting a Lakers podcast. Starting a podcast was already a big leap for someone notoriously as reserved as myself.  We hosted Hoop Dreamz for a couple of seasons, then Andre 1k and I did a season of the Natural Nonsense Podcast.  The support I received for those 2 pods, in addition to a desire to control my own podcast domain, led to me creating The Banquet Hall.

Now, as I begin my next endeavor into a new creative realm, I have been very reflective on my life as a creative to date.  Now, I ask myself why wouldn’t I be in this position? I’ve always been recognized as a humble genius among peers.  Out of fear of narcissism, I never really received that affirmation fully.  I’ve been writing and creating all my life.  I used to write letters to my brother when he was incarcerated and had poems written on some of them.  When I was like 5 or 6 years old I learned how to make greeting cards on a computer and wanted to start my own business called Kidz Kreations.  The creative has always been there, the belief in myself is what life pushed me into.

Irene: Tell us more about one of your favorite projects that you have worked on thus far. Why was this project meaningful to you, and what did you learn from this experience?

Kyler: I don’t know if anything will ever mean as much to me as Obsidian.  The days that I am feeling myself most, I look at Obsidian as a Mona Lisa.  The level of thought and intention I put into every single element of that book is an achievement I am very proud of.  Obsidian is when I first recognized my gift of storytelling.  I started writing it in March 2020 as we navigated Zoom meetings and parking lot pull ups trying to find which way was up.  I finished the book in May, got a copy to proofread, and then was ready to publish it for real in June, then the world had a magnifying glass on racialized injustice against Black folks.  Nothing made sense to me.  I knew there had to be people that were feeling and thinking what I was, but I didn’t know what to do, so I wrote.  Every time that I peeled open my laptop to add words to that Word document, I felt like I was having a conversation around a campfire with people who had gathered just to hear what I had to say.  Publishing it felt like putting a record of that campfire talk into a time capsule hoping that someone found value in it one day.  There are plenty of people who have bought that book to “support me” that didn’t read beyond the page with the ISBN number.  There are also quite a few who bought it, read it, and were moved even more than I could have intended.  

What I learned from that whole experience was that as long as my intentions are true to who I am, whatever I create will always be “good.”  I can’t force people to read something I wrote just because I wrote it.  The truth in the messiness of being a creative is that what you create can’t be expected to be a priority to people, even if those people are your close friends.  Nobody could have ever read Obsidian and I would still deem that book to be an overwhelming success.  I have friends who have bought me Obsidian stones because they read that book and understand what Obsidian means to me.  That matters more than becoming a best-selling author.

Irene: Any advice, gems, or words of encouragement for aspiring Black creatives? 

Kyler: Do it anyway if it matters to you.

There are so many podcasts out there.  None of them are interviewing people I know.  It matters to me that the people in my circle have their stories told, so regardless if episodes get 2 views, 10, 50, or more, I keep going because it isn’t supposed to be about the views for me.  That doesn’t mean that those things never come up.  Of course I would love for everyone to see every episode I ever put out, but unless that’s my why, then it shouldn’t matter.

Capitalism makes us so caught up on trying to be the best or have the most reach, but if we focus on just creating good content that is of value to us, we eventually are able to find homes for our creativity.  Maybe only 3 people are buying your latest hoodie you made.  To those 3 people though, your hoodie may be their favorite thing they own, and that means something to me.

Beyond that, my best advice is to rest, be present, and value time with people in any form it takes, but especially make time to connect with people in real life, real-time, in-person.  Moments matter.

Irene: What is one of your favorite songs that fits/exemplifies that Black is Beautiful?

Kyler: One Man Can Change the World – Big Sean, Kanye West, John Legend

“But how am I supposed to say I’m tired

If that girl from West Virginia came up in conditions that I couldn’t survive

Went to war, came back alive

On top of that became a female Black captain

When being Black you had to extra-extra try”

If I had a fourth word to describe Blackness, it would be dreamer.  I love this song because it is aspirational and encourages dreamers.  It affirms self-love, manifestation, and determination.  It is also deeply emotional in that it ends with Big Sean pouring his heart out about his appreciation for his Grandma followed by a phone conversation with her.  Like I already mentioned, so much of being beautifully Black is the communal nature of it, and who are we without those who came before us.

Irene: How can we support a fellow amazing Black creative like yourself? Do you have any projects, businesses, creations, etc. that you are working on currently that you would like to speak briefly about, drop below, and/or that we can support?

Kyler: The biggest way to support is to tap-in with an episode of The Banquet Hall and share it with a friend.  The biggest hurdle a lot of new podcasts face is discovery, so the more people helping to market the better.  Renrenspeaks was featured on an episode so if you haven’t checked that one out, that is a good place to start.  Beyond that, my books and merch are available on my website as well.  Be on the lookout for a new book coming (hopefully) some time this year!

Irene: Can folks connect with you to learn more about you/support you? If so, please drop your social media info down below!

Kyler: Absolutely.  Connect with me in all of the ways.  The best way to find out everything is to go to my website, thefourthkyler.com.

On all the apps (including Venmo/CashApp), the handle is @TheFourthKyler.  If you want to follow the pod, it is @BanquetHallPod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylernathaniv/

Support the podcast directly: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/banquethallpod/support

Irene: Anything else you want us to know about you or anything you want to share with the readers? Feel free to drop it down below!

Kyler: The Banquet Hall is open to anyone!  If you have a story you want to tell, let’s connect and get you on the pod!

—

What a great way to start off this series by featuring the storyteller, poet, writer, spoken word artist, author, podcaster, and graphic designer – KYLER! Kyler is an incredibleeeee multi-hyphenated artist, as he has effortlessly exemplified through his storytelling today. I completely agree – we need each other as a Black community. I love how communal we are, no matter where we are in the diaspora. There is an unspoken understanding of one another, and are communal bond is what brings Black joy and peace within our community. I really resonated with the sentiment that you shared, Kyler, about how being a creative starts with the mind rather than the mere focus of producing a tangible item. I think even myself, I often get caught up in “production”, which then limits my ability to create anything that comes to mind. I will be sure to reframe my thinking to allow creativity to become more expansive and achievable, deconstructing all boundaries I put on it. As an aspiring blogger with a relatively small following, your advice is so timely. Thank you for sharing. And lemme say one more thing – Kidz Kreations has my heart. You gotta drop some of those greeting cards you created as a super young Kyler.

Yall, just reading Kyler’s interview has me so pumped and so inspired. I hope yall stay tuned to the blog to keep the momentum going and check out the Black is Beautiful mini blog series – CREATIVES Edition Part 2 dropping next Saturday! Don’t forget to subscribe to Renrenspeaks.com and follow the Renrenspeaks Instagram page for notifications and updates! Stay young, gifted, and Black!

Peace and love,

Irene

Posted on in Black Is Beautiful series

Black is Beautiful Mini Blog Series – CREATIVES Edition is HERE!

Hello Renrenspeakers! Happy first of February, and more importantly, happy Black History Month! The weather is especially poppin today, illuminating the radiance of melanin all over the world. I loveeeee being Black, and one way I love celebrating the beauty and joy of Blackness is the return of my annual Black is Beautiful mini blog series on the blog! This is the third year in a row in which I have been able to collab with some of my favorite, inspiring Black peers and highlight their incredible lives. Can yall believe that? If you haven’t read the other series before, click here to dive deeper into the plethora of Black individuals who continuously exemplify that Black is infinitely beautiful! This edition of the Black is Beautiful mini blog series will delve into the arts and all things creativity by highlighting genius Black creatives who continuously expand the perceived monolith of Blackness put upon us by society.

Yall know the drill! Be on the lookout, because every Saturday in February, I will be featuring a new creative on the blog, for a total of four features! They will be sharing their creative journeys. Continue to show your support and love by reading their stories on the blog. There is a dope lineup of Black creatives ready to share a piece of themselves this month.

The first post will go live on Saturday, February 3rd! Make sure you subscribe to the blog to receive email notifications AND follow @renrenspeaks on Instagram for post reminders.

Again, Black people are not a monolith – we are SO diverse and have so many layers to us. Take advantage of the connections that this mini blog series may bless you with, and continue to love and support us as a community.

Again, Happy Black History Month! Take us out to brunch, invest in Black-owned businesses, read Black literature, and pour into us as a people!

Peace and love,

Irene

Note: image was retrieved from here.

Posted on in graduate school, occupational therapy

Happy January – Stepping into my Late 20s and Last Semester of Grad School EVER!

Hello, Renrenspeakers! Happy Friday, Happy January, and Happy New Year! I hope all is well! Life so far has been treating me well overall, as with a new year comes a reset in values, mindset, ambition, and goals. I recently entered my LATE 20s – can yall believe that? Because I cannot! I still feel like a teenager sometimes, lol. My birthday was last week, and I had such a blessed time celebrating it with my loved ones and my family away from home here in AZ. I feel like I need to normalize celebrating ME more often, not just on my birthday, because I deserve it!

In addition to my birthday, I am excited to announce that I officially stepped into my LAST semester of graduate school EVER! Now can YALL believe that??? I feel like I have been in school forever, yet time has also flown by. It has been an interesting dichotomy. To conclude my final semester of graduate school, I have embarked on my doctoral capstone project. This experience thus far has been so rewarding and enriching. Upon entering grad school, one of the reasons why I was swayed to pursue a doctorate instead of a masters degree in occupational therapy was because I wanted to cultivate a unique project that augments occupational therapy in a non-traditional setting – working with immigrants and/or refugees, specifically, as many of yall know my proximity to this population. I didn’t know how it would be made possible, but it finally has come together full circle after three years of cultivating this goal. I am currently working for a non-profit organization that specifically works with refugee and asylum-seeking families offering essential services for self-sufficiency such as stable housing, financial support, English classes, and communal support. With the partnership of my organization I have been paired with for the next few months, I have been able to create a project that head spears a life skills program teaching various life skills deemed essential for enhancing self-sufficiency and easing adaptation to the U.S. I will be working with a small group of newly arrived Afghan women, and my program will be a hybrid of “in-class” sessions and community outings practicing these newfound skills to use in the community. It hasn’t been an easy journey getting to where I am now, I will say. LOTS of time reading literature, justifying the need for OT in this emerging practice area, coordinating participants, etc. has been spent, and I bet it will still change as I continue my process. However, through this experience, I have learned that being a self-starter and being my own boss is empowering, and I can actually make a positive difference in a community if I set my mind to it.  

I just finished my second week of my capstone so far. Some highlights of my time spent include the following:

  1. Practicing my (note: very broken and limited) French and Swahili skills with a Congolese woman attending English classes and witnessing her immediate comfortability with me.
  2. Conducting home visits and getting to know each participant in a very personalized way by learning more about their typical day upon arrival and being immersed in their culture.
  3. Having a traditional Afghan meal during one of my home visits as a way of welcoming me into their home.
  4. Meeting and working closely with my translator who is my right-hand woman and who has been a tremendous help to the success of my developing program.
  5. Being considered part of the team by being invited to an empowering staff meeting and justifying my role as an OTD student at the site I am interning at.

Overall, this has been such a culturally enriching experience so far, and I am excited to be a part of a community where I not only implement my program, but reciprocally learn a ton from the population that I am working with! I think a passion project is the perfect way to re-awaken my passion for OT and wrap up my graduate schooling (because I’m not gonna lie, sometimes that passion was waning during the consistent studying grind I had to endure for long hours on end the first two years). Stay tuned for the progression of my capstone project!

Peace and love,

Irene

Posted on in lifestyle

Renrenspeaks 2023 Wrap-Up and 3 Year Anniversary!

Hello Renrenspeakers! Happy New Year’s Eve and Happy 3 year anniversary to Renrenspeaks.com staying alive and thriving! I cannot believe that the end of the year is here. Earlier today, my younger sister told me that today is especially unique because the date is 12/31/23, which is 123, 123, so enjoy that fun fact because we will never see it again!

Yesterday, I had a beautiful time of reflection with my college friend group as we shared some major goals, aspirations, and wishes that we accomplished this year and aim to achieve next year. Our time together allowed me sit down and ponder on the blessings, opportunities, celebrations, and renewal that graced me this year. I outlined my thoughts and reflections on my handy-dandy iPad, and some highlights from our reflective activity I concluded with included the following:

  1. One word to describe my 2023: Growth
  2. Favorite accomplishment this year: Finished my clinical rotations
  3. Favorite concert this year: Robert Glasper and Kirk Franklin’s Reunion tour
  4. How to engage in joy for 2024: Spontaneous trips
  5. One thing I am looking forward to adding to my self-care routine: An exercise class of some sort – a spin class or Pilates

One thing that really brought me joy this year is the amount of love and support from you all on Renrenspeaks.com! WordPress constructed my site’s version of a year in review, and look at how amazing these stats are down below! It is because of yall I continue to pour into my site and engage in meaningful, reflective conversations with you all. Making an Instagram for Renrenspeaks was an avenue for me to continue to expand my blog and reach so many people I haven’t connected with in a while. I got to collaborate with Black folks in health care for my Black is Beautiful series, participate in a podcast episode with the Banquet Hall Podcast, and feature inspiring world travelers and friends on my Travelers Abroad Speak mini blog series! These experiences all re-emphasize my love for amplifying beautiful voices via written form through a platform like this blog.

As the year wraps up, I am going to briefly share some of my personal fun highlights of the year!

2023 Highlights!

My 26th birthday with my Apple Watch as my photographer!
A summer day in San Diego at Seaport Village visiting family!
First day of my third and final year of grad school ever!
Landscape of the beautiful Sedona. This was my second time visiting this city!
My beautiful best friend and soul sister who came down to visit me in AZ. We discovered a super cool coffee shop not too far from where I live.
The entrance of Tlaquepaque, a stunning arts and shopping district my best friend and I visited after our morning hike in Sedona.

—

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So I gave yall a surplus of 6000 words. 😉 I have a lot to be grateful for this year as you can see. As grand as 2023 was, I believe 2024 is going to be the year of the come up for me, as I get to look forward to FINALLY GRADUATING from OT school (can you believe that?? That will be a whole post later down the road) and getting a real grown-girl job in a profession that I love! I am also claiming that I am going to take another trip abroad somewhere to revive my zeal for travel. I would also like to incorporate more fasting into my life, go to therapy, augment my physical health and nutrition, get back into photography, and become more financially literate. With that being said, God bless yall and I am so thankful for yall! I hope everyone has a marvelous start to their new year. Talk to yall next year! 🙂

Peace and love,

Irene

Posted on in graduate school, occupational therapy

Inpatient Rehab is the Jam – Fieldwork Wrap-Up Reflection  

Hello Renrenspeakers,

Happy December! It is already the end of the month and close to the end of the year, I can’t believe it! How is everyone’s December going thus far? As for me, it is going well! I just completed my second level II fieldwork at an inpatient rehabilitation facility here in Arizona, which also marks the end of another semester of grad school. I have ONE more semester to go and then I graduate – finally! I know that I initially updated yall on my fieldwork experience after my first week, but I have not been consistent (sorry). Therefore, I have SO much to delve into that I am going to sum up as concisely as I can.

The past 12 weeks have been such a learning curve in which I was challenged physically and mentally every day. Overall, my experience was a very pleasant one. I met so many individuals across the lifespan with various conditions, personalities, diagnoses, and life histories. Some highlights of my time being there include a patient’s wife who said she wanted to adopt me LOL, me being mistaken for a 19 year old several times, breaking through to more difficult patients behavior-wise, and overall affirmations from patients regarding my care. At this site, I learned so much about the importance of collaboration among all health professionals – OTs, COTAs, PTs, SLPs, nurses, case managers, rehab doctors, and RTs. Everyone was so willing to assist me regardless of their discipline, and I often felt like I was a part of the therapy team, as staff members asked about my clinical impressions to further confirm their treatment ideas or documentation. Quick side note – shoutout to my clinical instructor for teaching me all that I need to know and for being such a sweet soul! Though I often felt like I did not know what the heck I was doing, reflecting on how treatment sessions went afterward and witnessing patients beam about their newfound independence to don their own socks, reach down to pick an item off the floor without losing their balance or stability, or even receiving a green band were all wins that the patient and I were able to celebrate. The more knowledge and experience I gained each week, the more I was able to step out of my comfort zone and try novel ideas. If they failed (which def happened), I managed to be okay with it because I ended up learning way more from those not-so-fun experiences than if everything was perfect all of the time. Though thank God they were few, I did have some instances when a patient was maybe not the easiest to work with. It would be easy to think that it was a reflection of me, but these not so pleasant instances helped me to view the patient holistically and be more sympathetic to their current condition, life circumstances, coping mechanisms, and support systems that they may or may not have in place.

Every patient, though may have had similar diagnoses, presented very differently. It was very nice to know that over time, I was able to separate the diagnosis from the patient and view the patient as a whole. I guess that is where our famous OT theoretical frameworks come in handy. Several patients taught me the KISS acronym which also helped me regroup when it came to treatment ideas. KISS – keep it simple, stupid. Sometimes, I felt like if was not doing something super creative and innovative, my sessions were not effective. However, I had to remind myself that starting from the basics is okay! Working on what the patient NEEDS in that immediate circumstance rather than fluffing it up with distractors can sometimes be the most powerful form of therapy that will lead the patient to increased independence and function. I loved seeing the progression of care from evaluation to discharge, and observing the resilience, motivation, and improvement my patients developed during their stay. OT is truly a collaborative effort, and it is very cool to be a part of a process that feels rewarding and benefits the patient’s overall well-being.

The intense, fast-paced nature of this setting overall made me feel very accomplished, as I was initially very intimidated by the sharp learning curve. There is still a plethora of things that I need to learn and am excited to build my skills in. The beauty of this profession is that I am a life-long learner. With more experience, I learn more about the essence of people, the barriers they experience, and the tools to advocate for their care. I am blessed to have met so many people from all walks of life, and I learned so much from each patient I encountered. This setting definitely confirmed that I would like to begin my OT career in a setting similar to this one to continue building my clinical skills and reasoning in a medically-complex, challenging, and fast-paced environment.

Thanks all for tuning into the blog today! And shout out to all those who have supported me and listened to my rants, thoughts, and reflections on my clinical rotations throughout these three months. Stay tuned for more content coming your way!

Peace and love,

Irene