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About Oregon Supported Living Program:The mission of Oregon Supported Living Program is to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the purpose of their Arts & Culture Center is to break down barriers to participation in the arts for people of all abilities, building bridges to a more diverse and inclusive community.About Mija:Mija is an artist, mama, partner, collaborator, healer, observer, and illuminator. Her purpose is to cultivate connection, healing, and love, especially through the arts. She enjoys creative problem solving and nurturing growth which take place on a personal level in her relationships, garden and studio and on a professional level as a community arts leader and work with the Arts and Culture Center of Oregon Supported Living Program. She's also a Eugene celebrity as 2017 SLUG Queen Santa Frida Elisa Refugio Babosita, patron slug of arts and culture. Mija is fed deeply by her family and community and is ever grateful for the love and inspiration she receives from them. Contact Mija:mijamatriz.com Instagram.com/mija.matriz Support the show

About Alyssa:Alyssa grew up in a low-income town in rural Oregon with a single mom who works harder than anyone she knows. Alyssa's big break was being offered a full ride to college - a dream Alyssa  always had, but didn't know was in the cards for her. Alyssa's mom wasn't a voter until recently and she lived in a middle-of-nowhere bubble, so she didn't know there was anything people like her could do to make a difference in the world until someone stopped her on the street in college and asked Alyssa if she wanted to help save the sea turtles. Of course she did! By the time Alyssa graduated, she was the president of a policy advocacy student group and was overseeing 3 campaigns. She graduated and was hired on to the presidential election for Elizabeth Warren - the campaign trail was a dream come true. She was crushed when she lost, but soon joined Biden's campaign and got to win! Since then, Alyssa has moved back to her home state of Oregon and took a job in nonprofit fundraising for a local homeless services organization.Find Alyssa:Website: http://alyssa-gilbert-8rl4.squarespace.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-gilbert-a63337138/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyssa_7_nicole Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssa_7_nicole/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.n.gilbert.3Support the show

About AthenaAthena Delene is a full-time photographer born on a full moon in September.She is self taught which means she is learning more everyday. She comes from a long line of hard working women with a zest for life. Born and raised in Eugene with family on the Oregon trail, pioneer blood and wide feet have gotten her far. She is an admirer of people first and photographer second. Making a living with photography for over 10 years, she hopes to do a photo a day for the rest of her life. She enjoys long walks to food, men with mustaches, and anyone who likes to hire artists.Voted Best Photographer - Eugene Weekly, Best of Eugene 2017–2020Find Athenahttps://www.instagram.com/athenadelene/https://delene.co/homeSupport the show

Donate Money!:Farm Worker Family:  https://farmworkerfamily.org/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63cdeeeeffd86e64d7d64ef8Campesina Womb Justicehttps://linktr.ee/campesinawombjustice?fbclid=PAAaZel4jriBDLUBdsxg3XvzyLqok06O_nFK10TBl34pckPnooowiezil44uwVolunteer/Donate (New Clothes, Big Jackets, Underwear, Socks etc)Raíces y CariñoAddress: 1205 Freedom Blvd Unit 3B, Watsonville, CA 95076Website: https://www.rcfam.comSupport the show

About TaliciaTalicia Brown-Crowell moved  to Eugene in 2000.  For more than 20 years, Talicia has worked in public health, staffed rites-of-passage for Black folks in Memphis, and built her successful Black-owned business, Harmony Massage, in Eugene, Oregon.Her work is inspired by the mentorship of two dearly beloved people in her life.  Her best friend of 17 years, Bob Dritz, was the clinic coordinator of White Bird Clinic in Eugene for 25 years and the founder of CAHOOTS, of international renown.  Sobonfu Somé, Talicia’s spiritual teacher for 8 years, is known as the world’s foremost authority in African spirituality.    After years of attending predominately white music festivals, and then getting to experience Black-centered cultural spaces and Brown family reunions in Gurdon, Arkansas, Talicia has a deep desire to create safe and connected events that center Blackness.Leading to the question she continuously asks herself  “What would a cultural festival look like today, in this place, that centers Black people, and is for us, by us?”  The Black Cultural Festival which she has founded is her answer to that question. Contact Taliciawww.BlackCulturalFestival.comInstagram https://www.instagram.com/blackculturalfestival/Support the show

About DanteDante Zúñiga-West is a storyteller and outdoorsman who lives in the coastal mountain range of Oregon. He is author of the novel Rumble Young Man Rumble (2014, Zharmae Press) and founder of the Oregon-based writing collective known as The Stonecutters Union. His writing is frequently published in alternative newspapers, lifestyle magazines and adventure journals. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Cal Arts, and a BA in Creative Writing from The Evergreen State College. He serves as Head of School at The Wellsprings Friends School. Find DanteWebsite: dantezunigawest.com   Book Website:  www.theunlikelyoutdoorsman.com    School Website:  www.wellspringsfriendsschool.orgInstagram: @theunlikelyoutdoorsman_dzwSupport the show

About Kory LambertsThe owner of the Irie outdoor company,  Self Taught Crypto enthusiast, board member of NABS (national association of black scuba divers), member of NIN (Negus in Nature), and assistant scientific dive instructor at USC.Find Koryhttps://www.instagram.com/irie.klamb/ Everyone's Music School Creating positive and lasting change in people's lives with music! Twdcc's Black health Matters Initiative Promotes equity to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County Support the show

Find Augusthttp://Linktr.ee/augustleestevens https://www.instagram.com/augustleestevensAbout AugustAugust Lee Stevens is a musician/singer songwriter from Hercules, CA. She got her early music education with piano and vocal studies from the Oakland School for the Arts. (Depending on if this interview is before or after June) She graduated from UC Santa Cruz with Film and Political Sciences. She was also introduced to the African American Theater Arts Troupe. She’s been blessed to perform with artists such as Kev Choice, Tammi Brown, Danny Glover, and Dave GrohlShe’s currently touring around the Bay Area and recording music set to release this Summer. Everyone's Music School Creating positive and lasting change in people's lives with music! Santa Cruz Movement classes help students develop spinal health, strength, mobility, coordination & more! Support the show

Find Leela & Deanhttp://www.santacruzmovement.comhttp://Instagram.com/santacruzmovementEmail: info@santacruzmovement.com About Leela & DeanLeela Kalow and Dean Yerushalmy are the only two people in Santa Cruz, California teaching classes based on the work and philosophies of Ido Portal under his direct guidance in his Mentorship Program. They are honored to be in this select group of mentees from all over the world who come together throughout the year to continue our studies and to build our own communities through Movement. Our varied backgrounds in sports and dance is what lead us organically to study with Ido.Support the show

Find Mak Nova:https://www.maknovamusic.comhttps://www.instagram.com/maknova_music/About Mak Nova:Mak Nova is a west coast rapper/performance artist rooted in the awareness of her impermanence and the potential of her humanity. Her mission is to use her music and live performances to empower and inspire everyone she comes into contact with. With her fiery delivery, reflective lyrics and soul stirring dance moves, she draws her audiences in and invites them to embody their highest potential. Her debut album is slated to be released in Summer 2022.Support the show

Find Natalie:https://www.regenerationpajarovalley.orgAbout Natalie:Natalie Olivas, who is the Community Organizer at Regeneracion where she helps to build community capacity to advocate for equitable climate action. She works across sectors to interweave climate justice into various programs and curriculums. Natalie has experience working with local governments, businesses, and nonprofits in analyzing policy, meeting sustainability goals, and education and outreach. Her mission is to collaboratively build equitable and sustainable communities while centering the needs of historically marginalized and oppressed groups. Support the show

**Trigger warning,  In this interview we do talk about domestic violence and abuse so please feel free to skip this episode if you are vulnerable to these topics. **Find Eric Butlerwww.talking-peace.org  Instagram.com/wearetalkingpeace About EricEric Butler is an award winning Restorative Justice activist and educator. Eric Butler believes in the power of relationship building as a healing practice. An educator and activist, Eric's ability to overcome life's hurdles propels him to make a difference in the lives of young people across the U.S. and beyond.  Eric began his career as a domestic violence counselor in New Orleans. After surviving Hurricane Katrina and relocating to Oakland, California, Eric successfully facilitated Grief Circles. Trigger warning,  In this interview we do talk about domestic violence and abuse so please feel free to skip this episode if you are vulnerable to these topics.  Support the show

About Malcolm:Co-founder and the Executive Director of Freedom Within Prison Project, a Santa Cruz based nonprofit whose mission is to help "restore wholeness to Individuals, families and communities impacted by incarceration through a path of compassion, insight and accountability".Contact Malcolm:freedomwithinproject.orgfacebook.com/freedomwithinprisonprojectfreedomwithinprojectSupport the show

Find Gregory SpeedHis Book https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Perfectly-Plain-Sight-GregoryInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/grownmanspeed/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1036261842About Greg SpeedBorn and raised in North Carolina, Greg Speed is a poet, former U.S. Army soldier, and a current staff member at UC Santa Cruz. In his spare time Greg enjoys playing basketball, is an aspiring photographer, and loves anything poetry related. Whether it is writing, performing, or just enjoying other poets. Greg has been writing for over 7 years and is thrilled to share a small piece of himself with you today. Twdcc's Black health Matters Initiative Promotes equity to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County Support the show

FInd Faithhttps://www.instagram.com/_faith.yeah_/About FaithFaith Brown and 18 year old girl who previously attended Harbor High School in Santa Cruz CA and lives in felton ca. She switched schools after experiencing racism at SLV elementary, middle school, and high school. Faith had put together the highway 9 protest and has been an advocate for mental health,  anti-racism work and any injustices she sees. Twdcc's Black health Matters Initiative Promotes equity to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County Support the show

Find Faina:https://www.instagram.com/coastconnectscc/About Faina: was born and raised in Santa Cruz County and is a graduate of Watsonville High School. After 9 years in tech, she has turned to being a full time advocate for sustainable and equitable transportation. She is also the Board Chair of The Friends of The Rail and TrailSupport the show

Find Rita:https://supervisionmatters.comhttps://www.facebook.com/supervisioncoachhttps://twitter.com/supervisionmtrshttps://www.instagram.com/ritasever/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-sever-supervisionmatters/About Rita:Growing up the youngest of six kids in a low-income family, Rita often had the experience of feeling unseen and unheard. She became very focused on hearing and seeing others – as individuals and within the groups that we live and work in.  This led her to recognize the uneven playing field that we call “equal.”  Rita works with individuals, teams, leaders and organizations to improve the culture and practice of supervision, thereby helping the organization to be more effective. With a background in human resources and training in organizational development, she weaves those practices together in her coaching, consulting and training.  Rita has an MA in Organizational Psychology and is a certified professional coach.  Rita has taught part time at University of San Francisco and Sonoma State University in California. Rita’s new book is titled Leading for Justice:  Supervision, HR and Culture.Support the show

Find Lindseyhttps://www.instagram.com/linds.shelton/https://www.instagram.com/barewithme.blog/About LindseyLindsey is a traveling ICU nurse, working on her modeling and acting career. She also is a big advocate for mental health and animal rescue.Support the show

About Bruce:Bruce is father to one of Thomas’s best Friends Nativo Gonzalez host of Paid the Cost Podcast. Bruce has lived in Santa Cruz for 50 plus years.  He is an Engineer, an amazing artist and a passionate father. In this interview Thomas and Bruce explore the racial changes and some of the deeper history of Santa Cruz in the eyes of someone who has seen the culture of the county change over the past 50 years.FInd Bruce:https://www.facebook.com/kuzimo.gardner Twdcc's Black health Matters Initiative Promotes equity to improve the quality of life for Black residents in Santa Cruz County Support the show

About Luna:Luna has been a resident of Santa Cruz since 2013. They have found their calling in reexploring the legacy of early black pioneers of california. They are the founder and director of the Santa Cruz Equity Project. They are a community healer, indigienous spiritualist, and parent.FInd Lunahttps://www.scequityproject.orgSupport the show