139: Wendy Shenefelt: How Can Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers Become a Real Force For Resistance & Change?

What does it take for a community of activist artists & cultural organizers to become a real force for resistance & change?And doing that, how do we create communities that can hold both joy and grief and stay resilient in these weird hard times and still fight for justice together?This is Artist Change, a chronicle of art and social change, where activist artists and cultural organizers share the skills and strategies they need to thrive as creative community leaders.You know, sometimes you meet someone and instantly you feel like they've been gathering people, feeding souls, and making space for real conversations their whole life. That's Wendy ShenefeltIn our conversation, she takes us on her journey from growing up in the Deep south in a transracial family to become a convener, a listener, and a leader in a 49 year old movement of artists and cultural workers fighting for justice. In this episode, we talk about:How art can cut through the noise when the words aren't enough.And what it takes to keep a community safe and connected in challenging times.And why sometimes the smartest move for a movement is to work quietly behind the scenes.So grab your coffee or sweet tea and join us for a conversation about joy, grief, resilience, and the power of gathering in the circle or on the porch or around the kitchen table. Part one. Roots and Roots. Welcome to the show. Wendy, just so you know, I look forward to all my conversations.