April 2023: TSAL Quarterly Newsletter

MORE SOUL FOOD TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2023

“Street to Mbari” (1964)

by Jacob Lawrence

RESOLVE

RECOMMITTING TO THE PRACTICE OF LIBERATED SPACES thirdspace ACTION LAB

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MORE SOUL FOOD APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

JUNETEENTH 2022 ISSUE

Read | Watch | Listen

CONTENTS 1 COVER 3 SPRINT WEEK 2023 6 2023RD SPACE RECAP 8 SOUL CHECK 14 READING ROOM UPDATES 18 CLIENT FEATURES 20 IG LUNCH SCHEDULE 21 FREEDOM FRIDAY 22 JUNETEENTH PREVIEW 23 BACK COVER

Amirah Cunningham Amy Sherald

Kerry James Marshall

2 Amber N. Ford

APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

SPRINT WEEK 2023

Sprint Week is an annual gathering of the ThirdSpace team to jumpstart into the new year together, initiate new goals and solidify processes. This year TSAL held our first Sprint Week in person at the space and welcomed 6 new team members. As a mostly remote and hybrid team, this new modality was a great opportunity for us to create lasting connections as a team and learn more about each other. Sprint Week was an important time to recommit to a practice of creating liberated spaces within and outside of our team.

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

GALLERY WALKTHROUGH QUOTE / CONTEXT

"Our struggle is also a struggle of memory against forgetting.” ― bell hooks, Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black

ICEBREAKERS

TEAM COMMUNICATION STYLES

OUR TEAM

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APRIL 2023

SPRINT WEEK 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

DURING MEALS AND OUTINGS, WE PATRONIZED THESE LOCAL BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES. CHECK THEM OUT BELOW!

FIN & FEATHERS

EUPHORIA LANES

IG: @finandfeathers

IG: @euphoria_lanes

KAFELA IG: @thekafela

PEARL FLOWER CATERING IG: @pearlflowerbrand

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

2023RDSPACE RECAP RESOLVE RESOLVE RESOLVE RESOLVE RECOMMITTING TO THE PRACTICE OF LIBERATED SPACES

The Card Game” (1953), by Jacob Lawrence

Advancing racial justice is not easy work. It’s not easy in our institutions, or in our personal lives, or in society. It requires introspection even when the world doesn’t give us time to slow down. It requires finding joy even when the world gives us so many reasons to focus on pain. It requires introspection even when the world wants us to arrive at quick fixes and silver bullets. And it requires resolution when the world tells us to just stop.

But we resolve to keep going. We are so grateful for the work that so many of our collaborators + partners are doing, and we can’t begin to express how much you have informed our own movement at ThirdSpace. What we can do, however, is to begin to build community so that this work isn’t so lonely.

In 2023, we resolve to do just that. In 2023rdSpace, we’ll be holding time + space to connect + to build movement together in a series of virtual gatherings. They’ll be an opportunity to delve deeper in ThirdSpace’s work, to hear from folks doing incredible racial justice work across the country, and to collaborate + conspire with like-minded collaborators.

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

2023RDSPACE RECAP

FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS: "It was clear that ThirdSpace has truly embodied what it means to have a third space. It felt safe to share openly and candidly, which is a must in this work. Also gaining a better understanding of why ThirdSpace exists and how they do the work was really cool."

"Every conversation and deep dive was invigorating and inspiring!

I loved the question asked of participants beforehand as well, to get the ideas flowing."

"Keep going."

"Panelists offered great ideas and strategies."

SAVE THE DATE: REFLECT

APRIL 14TH, 2023

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

NEW TEAM MEMBERS ABOUT THE 'I'M FROM' POEM

The "I'm From" poem exercise is a reflection created by two writers and activists, George Ella Lyon and Julia Landsman, in response to the rhetoric of xenophobia and the illusion of isolationism in the US, using poetry as a medium.

In January 2022, the "I'm From" poem was part of the TSAL Baldwin Wallace presentation I presented with TSAL alum Brandon Wafford, titled "Rooting Our Imaginations," which honors the life's work of the late bell hooks. Our presentation was guided by the important question posed by bell hooks: where do we find that space of connecting and belonging, where there is no Other? The purpose of bringing this activity was to elucidate the intimate connection between locating ourselves, finding spaces where we can meet people who connect and engage with our work, and celebrating our collectivity.

Jacob Lawrence

— JENINA YUTUC, TSAL VISUAL DESIGN CONSULTANT

ANDRIANNA D. SHERIFF CONSULTANT

I am from a mother and father who exude Black love and excellence.

I am from South Collinwood where childhood friendships became sisterhoods.

I am from curiosity, confidence, courage, and culture.

ARIEL BRENT

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT I am from the Heights, but my family is from Ten-Five I am from the burbs, but my family is from the hood Pushed from the hood, to the burbs for better opportunity But by design, losing the neighbor from the hood, We seek to be subdivided and integrated Now the perspective is shifted, and the hood is framed.

But I am from the hood, and my neighbor is white.

I am from the Ten-five, and surviving in the heights, seeking my hood, in my neighbor.

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

NEW TEAM MEMBERS BRITTANY PRIEST

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

I am from Saturday morning shopping trips with Granny, which taught me how to be thrifty I am from the era of dial up internet, which taught me patience I am from a strong matriarchal lineage, which made me a nurturer I am from a thoughtful mother, which afforded me a peaceful disposition I am from an affirmative community, which grounded my confidence

CELIA WILLIAMSON SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE CEO

I am from a constantly supportive family.

I am from Cleveland, OH but also Harlem, NYC. I am from creativity, imagination, and color. I am from laughter.

I am from tears.

I am from 90's 93.1 WZAK. I am from a mother and motherhood.

ESMERALDA ESTRADA CONSULTANT I am from Honduras.

I am from a single mother.

I am from books and crafts.

I am tacos and bealeadas.

I am from The South Bronx.

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

NEW TEAM MEMBERS EVA RODRIGUEZ

CONSULTING ADMINISTRATOR

I am from a childhood that celebrated exploration and discovery, from a home reigned by a single-mom, ruling with grace and high expectations, from a set of values that imagines a beautiful world where we're all on top, from a sisterhood determined to do good in this world, and a culture that relishes in our own joy and power - proud and Puerto Rican.

HARRY ATWELL COMMUNITY MANAGER I am from Glenville, Cleveland and was brought up in a multigenerational home within a multigenerational community. Our home was a double decker two family, green and yellow foursquare craftsman with two front porches.

Some of our neighbors had moved onto our street during the middle of the Black Migration, some thirty-forty odd years before I was even thought of.

My mother passed away when I was three. My father was complex; always in deep thought but always present -in every sense of the word but was also somewhat distant and obscure.

The other generations living in our house were my grandfather and my uncle who is eight years younger than my father. They all loved me as best as they could and as only as they knew how to at the time.

I am grateful to have learned so much from all three of them but it was my grandmother who truly raised me. Both of my grandparents were raised in West Virginia during the Great Depression and being an only child I was often the youngest person in the room.

By the time I was ten, I knew and cared more about planting a "victory garden" in our backyard than I did about playing Nintendo. I guess some things just never change because I've never once saved Princess Peach from the clutches of King Koopa and I still don't really care for the taste of a hothouse

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

NEW TEAM MEMBERS INDIA PIERRE-INGRAM

CHOCOLATE CITY CLEVELAND PROJECT MANAGER I am from my mother, who is from her mother, who is from her mother from Black women who continue to create futures I am from ancestors with roots in Alabama, Jamaica, North Carolina, Trinidad from artists who craft music, verse, and hope .

SEAN CLARK

MARKETING MANAGER I am from a resilient lineage on both sides.

I am from a family who took big risks to better their lives.

TRAVIS SMITH CONSULTANT

I Am From somewhere far, far away, though I've come to find home wherever the wind blows me.

I Am From the dust of the Earth, spun together with fire, light, and divine beauty breathed into every fiber of my body.

I Am From the dreams of my ancestors, built from their strength of the shoulders, the creativity of their imaginations, and the depth of their stories.

I Am From the land of milk and honey, from whence I hope to return to during the next phase of this journey.

I Am From the love of this universe, moving through this world in hopes that I can share the same love I was created with.

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

TEAM MEMBERS

WHAT IS ONE "RESOLUTION" YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF, THAT YOU STRIVE FOR/LIVE BY? BENJAMIN COLLINGER

DOMINIQUE MILLER

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER & CONSULTANT

SENIOR FELLOW RESEARCH + ENGAGEMENT

Savor the moments with family and take advantage to be with people. You never know when something could happen Try to stay disciplined, try to do things that are aligned with your values and that’s how staying disciplined shows up in my life.

I resolve to examine the past. I noticed I’m really good at examining the past for things I have done better, but not always the accomplishments or the good stuff.

Examining the past for me is like patterns, I think about life patterns that I can accept and there are some that I still need to learn or lessons I need to grow in or makeshift. Examining the past is important for the present and future and to not bring things into the next generation. Being honest with myself comprehensively.

MORDECAI CARGILL

JENINA YUTUC VISUAL DESIGN CONSULTANT

CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Always be cool is a constant reminder to me. I’m pushing myself to remember to be present and remain present in the moment. Our days are generally stacked and we’re moving from thing to thing, so I’m tyring to remind myself to be in the moment as much as possible so I can hear what’s needed.

The next thing is encouragement. Leadership requires this type of courage, the courage to do the hard things because there are many and this is what we signed up for. In the spirit of radical imagination. Revolutionaries will always be Painting by Jacob Lawrence optimistic.

Taking the long-view, distilling clarity through synthesis, and deferring instant gratification in service of a sustainable and consistent creative practice.

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

TEAM MEMBERS

SETH BEATTIE

TRISTEN HALL

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

DIGITAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT

I'm really striving to live up to a resolution of examining the past - my past, my city's past, the big picture past. It's incredible to recognize how much of how power + response today echoes power + response from the past.

I resolve to value and resource joy. Life is too short to not enjoy it. To me, resourcing joy feels like enjoying moments to their fullest and allowing those feelings to sustain me through tougher times.

Art by Jacob Lawrence

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

TSAL READING ROOM

NABIL AYERS MY LIFE IN THE SUNSHINE "While Ayers mentions genetic inheritance at various points, the lasting impression made by this memoir has not so much to do with what was passed down but with what was obscured; a large looming absence that was never missed, and the realization that searching for someone who really isn't missing can lead to the discovery of a self that is everlasting."

— RA Washington, CLEVELAND REVIEW OF BOOKS: My Life… My Life…: On Nabil Ayers’ “My Life in the Sunshine”

STAY TUNED FOR MORE BOOK LAUNCHES!

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

TSAL READING ROOM TAMIKA NUNLE TAMIKA NUNLEY INTERVIEW BY TRISTEN HALL

GROWING UP IN CLEVELAND: "When I think about my roots in Cleveland, especially as a military brat, I always begin actually, with my great grandmother, who migrated here to Cleveland from Alabama, during the Great Migration. She arrived here in the 1920s right around the time of the Great Depression, and had six children with her, and came and worked as a domestic servant, and then also was a seamstress. She actually was able to take advantage of the Roosevelt administration's WPA program for widows and she became a seamstress for Metro Health when she came in.

What's cool about that is that, you know, she was really, like financially frugal and savvy, and eventually saved up to purchase a home off of 105st on North Boulevard. That house is still in our family. One of her daughters still lives in that house, my Aunt Estelle and she'll be 101 years old this month. So my Aunt Estelle is sharp, amazing. You know, sometimes, she'll come over and I'll just listen to her talk and just kind of soak in all the history, like your living history, you know, once you're 101 years old.

So when my dad retired from the military, we moved back to Cleveland, and I spent a lot of time in Glenville because my dad was a bus driver. He worked really odd hours, so my Aunt Estelle would get me to school. I would stay at her house and spend my summers you know, in the neighborhood, go to Corey church and get my free lunch, go to the corner store and you know, get a lil grab bag of candy, and you know, just kind of hang out with my cousins. So that's kind of what brought me to Cleveland and then I went to Euclid High School, which was close by."

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

TSAL READING ROOM TAMIKA NUNLE TAMIKA NUNLEY

HOSTING BOOK LAUNCH AT THIRDSPACE: It feels really important to me to come back to the very street that I played on as a kid, right? That really fostered a sense of identity and kinship and community for me. I think it was really important for me for this particular book, which is about enslaved women and girls claims to justice. It was really important for me to have conversations with communities of people who have been profoundly shaped by the history of slavery by the history of injustice in the United States. It was really important for me to connect this book to people, you know, that were from where I'm from, and I wanted to hear what they thought about it. I care about what they think about it. As I progress in my career, it is really important for me to write work that really reflects my values, and reflects communities I care about, and that I see myself as a part of and so that the fact that ThirdSpace, is doing such beautiful work, engaging with the community that I, you know, spent many years in, and that my great grandmother found a way to thrive in, just makes it really special. And I remember telling the press that, you know, when I when I launched, this book is gonna be in Cleveland, and it's gonna be at ThirdSpace. So it ended up being a really beautiful full circle moment.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE WITH TAMIKA NUNLEY AND TSAL DIGITAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT, TRISTEN HALL

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

TSAL READING ROOM TAMIKA NUNLEY THE DEMANDS OF JUSTICE

"Demonstrating how crimes, convictions, and clemency functioned within a slave society that upheld the property interests of white Virginians, Nunley reveals the frequency with which owners preferred to keep the accused in bondage, which allowed them, behind the veil of paternalism, to continue to benefit from Black women's labor. This so-called clemency also sought to rob Black women of the power they exercised when they committed capital crimes. The testimonies that Nunley has collected and analyzed offer compelling glimpses of the self-identities forged by Black women as they attempted to resist enslavement and the limits of justice available to them in the antebellum courtroom."

AT THE THRESHOLD OF LIBERTY "The capital city of a nation founded on the premise of liberty, nineteenth-century Washington, D.C., was both an entrepôt of urban slavery and the target of abolitionist ferment. The growing slave trade and the enactment of Black codes placed the city’s Black women within the rigid confines of a social hierarchy ordered by race and gender. At the Threshold of Liberty reveals how these women--enslaved, fugitive, and free-imagined new identities and lives beyond the oppressive restrictions intended to prevent them from ever experiencing liberty, self-respect, and power."

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

CLIENT FEATURE

THE KRESGE FOUNDATION COHORT

OUTLINE OF THE THEME + GOALS Best practices in art and development How the cohort can practice rest + healing and decenter productivity Capital absorption - Public funding, how folks might secure government grants as opposed to private grants Equitable evaluation - How do you know how to evaluate the work that you’re doing

WHAT THE CONVENING ENTAILS: PRESENTATIONS The BASED Cohort is made up of 34 grantees who represent over 17 organizations. During the convening the grantees with be giving presentations revolving around the theme and work so far. There will also be time spent learning from and networking with one another, gaining new insights in creative practices and securing grants.

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

CLIENT FEATURE

THE KRESGE FOUNDATION COHORT WE ASKED TSAL TEAM MEMBERS, WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT?

FREDA SENIOR CONSULTANT

I'm excited to be involved in a creative practice process, going to Detroit, and networking with the cohort.

INDIA

CHOCOLATE CITY CLEVELAND PROJECT MANAGER

This is the first time the group has been able to convene in person since the pandemic, I'm excited to see them share with each other. I'm also excited to use owl to stream it live.

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APRIL 2023

IG LUNCH SCHEDULE

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

IG Lunch is an intergenerational space to focus in and learn about Cleveland’s Black History through folks bringing in photos, stories, items, and themselves to the space.

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APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

FREEDOM FRIDAY SCHEDULE

FREEDOM FRIDAY IS YOUR AFTER WORK KICK IT BFEFORE YOUR WEEKEND PLANS. CONNECT, UNWIND AND ACTIVATE WITH COMMMUNITY.

MAY

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WE OUTSIDE: KICK-OFF SUMMERTIME! What's a better feeling than the Friday before a 3-day weekend?

Kick off the holiday weekend at ThirdSpace for our first Freedom Friday! As always we will provide drinks and snacks and you all will bring the vibes and a good time.

JUNE GAME NIGHT

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A little competition never hurt nobody! Join TSAL for a night of fun with some card games or board games. We hope there's a little something for everybody.

JULY

TSAL TINY DESK

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Unwind with an unplugged night of live music at TSAL! We began our tiny desk series last summer and are excited to bring it back.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE DATES SOON! 21

APRIL 2023

TSAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

JUNETEENTH PREVIEW BLACK IS FREE This year’s theme celebrates and honors those who have explored just how free they can live.

FRIDAY JUNE 16 - MONDAY JUNE 19

22 thirdspace ACTION LAB

PEACE.

Art by Jacob Lawrence

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