At the beginning of 2023, I finally decided to do what others had been encouraging me to do for years: Start my own thing. I registered a web domain, applied for an L3C with the Illinois Secretary of State, and began telling family and friends about my plans to start a mediation and restorative justice practice to address sexual harm. And, suddenly, after five years of thinking, planning, learning, and–to… Read More »A Freight Train Fueled by Uncertainty
Women experience collective trauma when they live and operate in systems–parenting, corporate, legal–that were not built by them. There is a journey each woman must take through frustration and pain to forgiveness, healing, agency and re-capturing creativity. Much of the latter part of the journey takes place in a community of witness and recognition, and there is usually no better person to walk them through this journey than someone who… Read More »An Invitation Into Adventure
Dream Forum! What a gift it was for me! God in His sovereignty brought it into my life when I needed it most, when I was looking for ways to be true to my gifts and abilities that He gave me, when I needed a creative outlet to go through a very difficult time in my life. God showed up in a quiet way and told me, “I got you!”… Read More »Freed, Surprised, Empowered
My co-founder and I met by God’s divine providence less than a year ago. Since our meeting, it has been a continuous journey requiring us to lean on Him. Since joining Goldenwood’s Dream Forum, the last five months have been a pivotal time of our journey with God and with this dream. We were so grateful to be selected to participate in the Dream Forum right when we were starting… Read More »Leaning Into God
The Dream Forum found me at a place when I was afraid to dream. Afraid to dream about something small and would not dare to dream about a big and brave thing. Dreams were substances from another world, another life. In my house they lay in the closet waiting for better times, for a world where dreams have a place to bloom. As the war broke out, my dreams were… Read More »Afraid to Dream
I set out to start a leadership community after my experience leading through a difficult season. During that time I longed for a safe-space that could, in the words of author Kobe Campell “offer the tenderness the world and even those in our community refuse to give.” I knew that a community for black women would be received with mixed reviews. However, the support system I developed as a leader… Read More »The Paradox of Leadership
As I reflect on this season of exploring my dream through Goldenwood’s Dream Pod cohort I am most grateful for the introduction of new rhythms that are now becoming part of my practice. David Kim’s teaching, some of which has included combining sacred teachings from both Jesus and Rick Rubin (!), have been illuminating considering the creative work I’m pursuing trying to grow the Justice Film Festival. I am learning… Read More »The Practice of Dreams
As a pastor, theologian, and co-founder of a non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate a new vision of work, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) raises a growing number of existential questions. From actors to lawyers, an increasing number of professionals feel threatened by the growing applications of AI. How can the ancient text of the Bible provide any insight to guide us in responding to this quickly… Read More »The Parallel between AI & Creation
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” John 20:15 (NIV) It was always curious to me that in Jesus’ first resurrection appearance, he was mistaken as the caretaker of the garden. Yet, the more I consider… Read More »Bioimimicry and Being Easter People
As I reflect on the past 5 months, my heart is so full of gratitude. When I started this journey with The Dream Forum, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. The description of the program led me to believe that The Dream Forum was some kind of Christian business incubator where I would receive business coaching, tools to build a business plan and the possibility… Read More »Like a Seedling