Residency
The Goldenwood Residency provides intentional time, space, and structure in a committed listening community over the span of one calendar year. This opportunity is designed to promote particular projects selected by each resident. These projects are then cultivated collaboratively in the “Residency Pod” through a curated process. The Residency explores the dynamic intersection of Spirit-led listening, community, and work. We believe that the nature of our work can be renewed far beyond what we currently experience as we challenge accepted norms while imaginatively applying truths that affirm our God-imaged humanity.
2021 Residents
Sandra McCracken
Born and raised in the Midwest, Sandra McCracken has since firmly planted her musical roots as a singer- songwriter and producer in the Southern soil of Nashville, Tennessee. Through and through, she is a musician by craft, trade, and gifting, but ultimately, she is a storyteller at heart. Keenly attuned to the thin line between the temporal and eternal, her storytelling has always invited audiences to consider their own humanity in relation to both creation and its Creator.
Over the course of her fourteen critically acclaimed studio albums, Sandra has developed a body of work that encompasses hook-driven melodic pop, No Depression-style Americana, contemporary recastings of classic hymns, and even children’s music. With her recent album release, Patient Kingdom, Sandra’s deepest desire remains clear: to faithfully steward the passions, giftings, and callings God has placed on her life, whether through song, word, and story, or conservation and social justice work. She reasons, “If a part of my story can be a conduit of seeing God as the most faithful, steady presence we can know, those are the stories I want to tell.” More…
Grady Powell
Grady is the founder and CEO of Openfields, a research, strategy, and design consultancy committed to helping leaders imagine and implement more creative and just futures. He is also co-founder of Capita, an ideas lab committed to harnessing the power of big ideas to ensure a future in which all young children and their families flourish. Grady formerly served as the Executive Director of Trinity Forum Academy and as an agency guy at EP+Co Advertising. He attended Furman University where he studied economics and ran cross-country and track. He lives in Greenville, South Carolina with his wife, Sarah, and their four children.
Brookshield Laurent
Brook is a native of New Jersey, raised in a colorful migrant Caribbean family from Haiti. Living in a migrant community allowed her to see and experience resilience powered by faith and it led her to the path of medicine. Brook is an Osteopathic Family Medicine physician, Chairwoman, and Associate professor for the Department of Clinical Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology – College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University. She is also the founding Executive Director for the Delta Population Health Institute (DPHI), the community engagement arm for NYITCOM at Arkansas State University, to develop a culture of health in the Mississippi Delta, collaborating across sectors to cultivate thriving resilient communities.
As a fellow of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Health Policy Fellowship she received federal and state policymaking training regarding healthcare access, cost, quality, population health, health equity, and the healthcare workforce. As a medical educator, she has created and implemented innovative courses on foundational clinical medical skills to prepare rising physicians for the changing medical landscape and equipping them to address health disparities and inequities. As a leader of the institution, she is a driver of innovation, professional development, and community engagement.
2020 Resident
Andrew Nemr
Mentored by Gregory Hines, Andrew Nemr is considered one of the most diverse tap dance artists today. An international performer, choreographer, educator and speaker, Andrew’s work explores tap dance as a vehicle for storytelling and community. He has played with Grammy Award winning musicians across multiple genres, founded and directed the tap dance company Cats Paying Dues, and co-founded the Tap Legacy™ Foundation, Inc. (along with Hines).
“A masterly tapper” (New York Times), Nemr’s work has been recognized with a TED Fellowship, a FloBert Award for Tap Dance Excellence, grants from the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces and the CUNY Dance Initiative, and residencies with The Quarterly Arts Soiree, BRICLab, More Art’s Engaging Artists program, Surel’s Place, and TED. An avid public speaker, Nemr uses the story of his journey and the craft of tap dance to speak about identity, community, faith, embodiment, and love.
Listen to our conversation with Andrew, Listening in Darkness from February 23, 2021.
