Great minds do not think alike. If there's anything we can learn from our constant interactions with others is how differently we can approach situations and create solutions. One of the most beautiful spaces that celebrates and nurtures that innovation is the Allied Media Conference held annually in Detroit, MI.
I was lucky to have an opportunity to attend this year, in its 18th year. After just graduating from college and as I work to find what's next, it was an exciting and eye-opening space - the kind that inspires hope, love, and action.
It was so powerful to meet and speak with people all over the country to share in our struggles and discuss collective actions through social justice. In the Staying Power Network Gathering on my first day, our groups talked about our stories of displacement or what it meant to stay. Gentrification is affecting almost all major cities across the world with thousands forcibly displaced - so what power can we get from staying in place? We visualized the narratives on both sides of the issue: the side of the residents fighting for their homes and the side of newcomers wanting to improve a community.
This conference was even more inspiring when I realized how many options there were to try something new, to learn about another issue or to create a healing space.
Another exciting session included a screening of the web seriesHer Story, about two trans women falling in love (you can watch it for free!). It is a compelling show that has involved trans women throughout the production process. Angelica Ross, one of the stars of the show and Director and CEO of TransTech Social Enterprises, organized the session and answered questions after. She shared with the audience some of her own struggles in making this dream show an amazing reality.
In the spirit of trying new things, I also went to a step class called Step Up and Speak Out. Groups of strangers came together to create sound with our body movements and linked them to poetry in a version of spoken word. Though it was out of my comfort zone, the energy in my group was collaborative and fun. Our final piece centered on love, justice, happiness, and understanding as our mantra.
One of the most important parts of the conference was a tour called From Growing Our Economy to Growing Our Souls by the Boggs Center. It is so important for us to understand the context we are in at all times, but especially when we are in a space that centers around social justice. It would be a shame for attendees to come to Detroit and leave without getting to know the city or its history. This was my first time in Detroit and I knew very little about the city, so this tour was especially important in my mind because I wanted to learn more. We talked about the history of resilience and resistance in the city, about strength, and about community. We were introduced to some beautiful community projects including the Heidelberg Project by Tyree Guyton, a community garden, and CAN Art Handworks by Carlos Nielbock.
The Heidelberg Project is an outdoor public art project that was created in 1986 to foster community around artistic expression. It is a colorful and beautiful place to explore, walking through the streets with art all around you. It is also important to note that people still live in these homes. One of the most striking aspects was the painted faces along the sidewalk. Our guide told us that these were to represent people, so that we were constantly aware that we were stepping on real, visible people.
I enjoyed every minute of this gathering, even when I didn't fully understand what was happening or when I was leaning into my discomfort. I'm excited to see what comes next for the AMC and for all the media-based community organizers who attended, volunteered, and coordinated the conference. I hope to attend next year as well!
