Eight exceptional leaders from the Midwest are currently participating in the National Leaders of Color Fellowship. They are joining a cohort of 56 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) arts leaders from across the country who are delving deep into leadership development.
As they reach the halfway point, three members of the Midwest cohort have shared their reflections on their journey within the group so far, as well as updates on some of their projects. Below, you can read insights from Anna Gonzalez, L Sam Zhang, and Wakinyan Chief.
Anna Gonzalez“I love that together we are able to celebrate our successes and hold space for each other as we talk about the difficult aspects of trying to balance careers, personal lives, creative practices, and our dedication to supporting the arts in our communities.”
Anna Gonzalez
Community Engagement Coordinator, American Players Theatre
“Last June I moved across the country to begin my new career in Arts Administration working as Community Engagement Coordinator at in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Working at APT has been my dream job for years and while I was extremely excited, I was also intimidated to be the first person to work in this newly created department. I am lucky to be able to work daily with communities in and around the city of Madison and to identify and break down barriers that may prevent new audiences from being able to travel the 40 miles to see classical theatre in the woods of Spring Green.
I have been amazed by the warm and enthusiastic response I received from community leaders who are eager to develop strategic partnerships to help make the performing arts accessible to everyone. Through these partnerships, I am lucky to be able to create new programming to help audiences feel welcomed at APT and I am so excited about what I am working on for the 2024 season.
The biggest project I am spearheading is a brand-new program called Check Out APT. This partnership between APT and 18 public libraries in Dane County provides complimentary ticket vouchers to library patrons. These vouchers can be redeemed for two tickets to any of our outdoor theatre performances. I am also working on Community Dialogue events designed to enhance the theater-going experiences for Black, Indigenous, Latine, and LGBTQIA+ audiences. These brand-new events are intended to provide opportunities to connect with the artistic staff and BIPOC audiences so that together we can explore the themes of the play and build community.
From the very first session, the National Leaders of Color Fellowship has been extremely supportive and I have enjoyed the opportunity to connect to other individuals doing similar work in their communities. I love the work I do at APT, but at times it can feel lonely to be a one-person department in a brand-new position trying to build community one email at a time. Since my days are spent thinking about how to build community for others, I don’t always have the energy to devote time to create a community for myself. The LoCF program provides an opportunity for me to connect with others who are on similar journeys and I look forward to the moments when I can connect specifically with the other fellows from Arts Midwest.
I love that together we can celebrate our successes and hold space for each other as we talk about the difficult aspects of trying to balance careers, personal lives, creative practices, and our dedication to supporting the arts in our communities. As someone devoted to creating community for others, I am so grateful for the talented and exceptional Leaders of Color staff who devote so much of their time to create a positive and supportive community for me and the other amazing fellows this year.”
Sam Zhang“This program has reminded me of how kindness grows kindness. The nurturing environment has helped me accomplish more from a place of joy.”
L Sam Zhang
Executive Director, Kalamazoo Chinese Academy
Children’s Book Author and Illustrator
“I am the author and illustrator of THE FIRST CHINESE FESTIVALS series of picture books, which tells the legends, myths, and history behind festival traditions. I’m currently working on several publication projects including more picture books and a YA fantasy based on Chinese mythology. I am also the Executive Director of Kalamazoo Chinese Academy (KCA), a nonprofit organization that provides language, arts, and cultural experiences to youth in the greater Kalamazoo area.
When I was notified of my acceptance into the National Leaders of Color Fellowship, I was grateful and excited, but I also didn’t know what to expect. I went into the first orientation session thinking I would only be given some general information about the program. Instead, hearing from the leaders of the program filled me with positivity and warmth, which I was then able to pay forward in the KCA STARTALK info session I led that same night.
I had not realized just how much I needed something like this in my life. Every session has been a source of joy, excitement, and purpose which I hope to inject into my organization and creative endeavors. The sense of community and support I’ve received in this fellowship program has helped me deal with the challenges we face each day as leaders of BIPOC groups. The resources we’ve received, especially the one-on-one mentorship and counseling, have been invaluable.
It has also been a joy to connect with other fellows in this program, both regionally and nationally. This program has reminded me of how kindness grows kindness. The nurturing environment has helped me accomplish more from a place of joy.
As time went by, I became more active in our monthly sessions because I felt good about myself. I felt good and had clarity because I’ve been able to focus on my own goals, which right now is to publish more children’s books that represent Asian American perspectives. There are many challenges on an organizational level that limit change. Through the fellowship program, I realized that perhaps I can drive change more effectively as an individual writer than as a leader of a cultural organization. Instead of focusing on the uphill work that leaves me feeling drained and in despair, I can find joy in my work, be fueled by my passions, and live with hope for the future.”
Wakinyan Chief“Becoming a part of the National Leaders of Color has given me a sense of belonging in this space, as well as a sense of community.”
Wakinyan Chief
Arts Manager, Cheyenne River Youth Project
“Currently I’ve been very busy with juggling different roles at the Cheyenne River Youth Project and my main role being a new father. Supporting my partner with raising our baby and preparing for our second that’s due here in a few weeks. It can be hard for me to create without pressure to do so, painting graffiti for 18 years there is always the pressure to paint. So when I don’t have a deadline like an Art Show it can be very challenging for me to prioritize painting, also it’s difficult to focus on painting while caring for a baby. Caring for our baby and giving my partner a break when I get home from work is definitely more of a priority for me.
My partner’s family hosts quarterly Indigenous Art Markets in the Black Hills which is where we met originally. Having those markets is a catalyst that can give me the deadline pressure I need to create a lot of paintings, but my partner is also an artist so we take turns with the baby so the other one can paint, and while I’m at the market itself I like to use that as an opportunity to work on paintings as well. I’ve recently begun screen printing so that I can print my designs, and also so I can teach it to the teens that I work with. I’m also beginning to learn about tattooing, after many requests and suggestions to learn, but mostly the teens I work with are interested and so that’s been what has pushed me to learn more about various art forms.
I’ve been very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the National Leaders of Color program. I’m fairly new to being an Arts Administrator. It’s a role I never thought I would find myself in. I saw the more official/traditional Arts as being an exclusive space not inclusive of BIPOC folks and found my community in the underground counter-culture arts. So initially I didn’t feel like I belonged in this space and felt alone as I didn’t know any other Arts Administrators. Becoming a part of the National Leaders of Color has given me a sense of belonging in this space, as well as a sense of community. The workshops have been beneficial and inspirational in my work. All of these components have improved my sense of confidence as well as my knowing that I belong here. Hopefully, I can open the door for other young Indigenous Artists to find their place in this space. ”
Meet all the 2023-24 Midwestern National Leaders of Color Fellows
The 8 fellows from Arts Midwest’s region will convene virtually with other Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) arts leaders from across the country in this 8-month program.
