Hola! I’ve got something a little different for you today.
Back when I started this blog, I said that in addition to talking out of the
side of my neck, that I would try to introduce you to interesting people doing
cools things. Recently I had the chance to chat with Kathryn Buford, chief visionary officer and lead editress of Live Unchained, an arts organization founded in 2009 that definitely qualifies
as cool and interesting, as well as inspiring. Check out the interview and
learn how you can support them! 
What is Live
Unchained?
Live Unchained
is a media and events organization that features works by women artists across
the African Diaspora. The artists come from various backgrounds, including
music, photography, film, TV and from all different parts of the world. We’ve
interviewed over 100 women artists from 15 countries.
Live Unchained has different components. There’s the online
magazine at LiveUnchained.com, and
then there are events, which include art festivals, exhibits, film screenings,
concerts, and now with our Indiegogo campaign, an awards ceremony.
What’s the origin
story of Live Unchained?
I got the idea when I was in undergrad at the University of
Illinois. I was studying sociology and African-American studies and my roommate
was an art major. We were both frustrated with the under-representation and the
misrepresentation of Black women in dominant media outlets and the historical
basis for it. We were originally going to create an anthology satirizing what
we found frustrating about the media representation of Black women. But as we
grew, we decided we wanted to do more than just criticize what we didn’t like
in the media. We wanted to do something that would celebrate what women artists
were doing and honor Black female artists. The vision became more inspirational
rather than critical. So, we changed the focus and Live Unchained was born.
What’s your next big project?
We are preparing to bring London-based, Somali poet Warsan Shire to DC for our first
annual “Terrifying, Strange, and Beautiful” awards ceremony. Shire is known
internationally for captivating poetry that focuses on womanhood, love and
social justice. “Terrifying, Strange and Beautiful” is a line from Shire’s
popular poem, “For
Women Who Are Difficult to Love.”
Shire will perform at the ceremony and be honored for her
work, along with various Live Unchained artists. Leading up to the ceremony
there will be a series of events, including a workshop on healing through
narrative, a panel discussion on cultural activism and a film screening. The
ceremony and the events are set to take place in fall 2014.
How can readers
support your efforts?
The theme of the campaign is “Terrifying, Strange and
Beautiful.” You can go to www.indiegogo.com/liveunchained to make a contribution and learn why we chose this
as a theme.
We need financial support to make this awards ceremony
happen, but I really want people to understand why we’re doing this. All those
things that give us layers as women, that fire, vulnerability, that complexity,
deserve to be celebrated. And that’s what “Terrifying, Strange and Beautiful,”
is, a celebration.
We’re happy with how people have connected with what we’re
doing. I think when people can connect with why we’re doing this, it makes it
that much easier to spread the word and get other people involved.
In terms of giving, we have different rewards for different
contribution levels. We’re also asking people to be creative in what they
contribute and spread the word when they do it.
We’re also open to partnering with organizations to help cover some of
the costs.
Why is it so
important to celebrate women in the arts across the African Diaspora?
We attract artists who are truly committed to community and
sisterhood. It’s really important that we have a platform where we honor ourselves
and support each other creatively, professionally and personally. There aren’t
that many media platforms that are doing this. Too often dominant
representations of Black women in the media don’t reflect the diversity of our
perspective, experiences, nations we come from and even languages we speak.
These women artists that we pull together represent that diversity. As an
undergraduate student who was frustrated, this is something that I would have
wanted and would have helped me, a platform that I could go to hear women speak
their truth.
It’s also important because there so many artists that are
making some of the best art out there, but they’re not getting their props. So,
that’s what we want to do as well.
How important is
social media to your mission?
It’s essential. I don’t know if this organization would have
worked if we weren’t online because that’s how we connected with so many
artists. It’s allowed us to connect, build community and extend our brand.
What does it mean to
live life unchained?
The definition grows, but I can give you two ways to define
it:
It means putting the love for myself, my community and my
creative life first without needing or expecting anyone else’s approval,
applause or understanding.
Living unchained is also about allowing things to evolve
naturally without feeling the need to control the outcome.
Thanks Kathryn!
Go to www.liveunchained.com
to learn more, and give them lots of money at www.indiegogo.com/liveunchained!
Also, follow their every move on Facebook,
Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest!
As you live unchained, remember to stay random ;)
--Jay
