Social Impact Projects from Push
Artists at work
artists at work - this is our cultural workforce resilience project that we have deployed across ten states, employing 62 artists with a living wage and full health benefits as they continue to make their art and, also, bring their creative vision to a social impact initiative in their communities.
How to get unstuck
This is a little assignment I keep in my back pocket if I feel stuck in the studio.
1+1 = 25 sculptures
Start by writing a list of 50 materials in your sketchbook(preferably materials that you can find a lot of) i.e. Dryer lint, toothpicks, coffee grounds, etc..
Choose one material from your list and pick one material as a joinery i.e. toothpicks, gum, super glue, etc.
Create a sculpture a day using only one material and one joiner.
You only have one day to make each sculpture and can not work on it the next day.
soccer assist
the best thing you can do for humanity and our existence on this planet is to ditch your car. let's commune in the streets!
our friends Paula and Aaron run Soccer Assist, a wonderful organization dedicated to building fields in underpriviledged areas and we're happy to support this organization!
AIDS walk arizona
Co-chair for AIDS Walk Arizona - share the importance for HIV testing, prevention, education, and outreach in all communities such as tribal (rural/urban spaces) communities
Greater Hudson Promise
I recently cooked for Queer Soup Night at our friend Quinn's restaurant, Quinnie's (go visit if you haven't already, best chicken sandwich) which raises money for organizations through donation-based soup parties. That night we partnered with Greater Hudson Promise and I was really inspired by their work, hope to do more with them this year.
Pro Literacy
Both my parents were readers and they were fervent believers in public libraries as vital centers of our society. So, in honor of them (Mom died in 2020 and Dad last year) I’d suggest a literacy org and also urge folks to use their local libraries.
Picks for Palestine
Call Congress to demand they stop sending weapons to Israel.
Share your story: What's the cost of supporting Palestine in creative industries?
Pictures for Palestine: All proceeds go to MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians)
Filmmakers' Accelerators
I started running Filmmakers' Accelerators, and it gives me so much joy. It's a 2-month boot camp for people with documentary concepts, who don't know where to start, or want to understand the current filmmaking landscape and how to get in. In an intimate setting, we walk their ideas through concrete steps to make it a reality. We analyze and tackle the story, audience, the documentary and film landscape today, the pitching process and what it takes, as well as limiting self beliefs, and how to address them, creating a new mindset and approach to documentary filmmaking, using entrepreneurship principles for launching projects. I get to nurture other people's creative babies, and that is such a special feeling. Our next Accelerator starts in November.
CIANA
CIANA - Amazing organization providing legal assistance, different types of classes, and many other services for the immigrant community!
United Farm Workers of America
Begun in the early 1960s by Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong, and other organizers, the United Farm Workers of America is the nation’s first enduring and largest farm workers’ union. The UFW continues its activism in major agricultural sectors, chiefly in California. UFW contract agreements protect thousands of vegetable, berry, winery, tomato, and dairy workers in California, Oregon, and Washington state.
The Other Ones Foundation
The Other Ones Foundation is a nonprofit that offers humanitarian aid, case management, and extremely low-barrier work opportunities to people experiencing homelessness in Austin, TX. They're doing amazing work here.
The Tularosa Basin Downwinders
The Tularosa Basin Downwinders are the world's first victims of atomic warfare. They are fighting to be recognized by RECA, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. One of the only communities exposed to radiation that isn't acknowledged. The detonation of an atomic bomb in my hometown and the resistance to recognition of the Downwinders is among the most shameful in American history.
ASK chefs anything
I always try to support NGO's connected to my industry and therefore community. With Ask Chefs Anything, a fundraiser campaign I co-founded during COVID with Gaeleen Quinn, we were working with organizations supporting immigrants (since they are the most crucial demographic in the restaurant industry and hadn't benefited from the relief package) such as the Mercy Center in the Bronx, NY. I also more recently designed those fine bone china platters (medium and large) with The Sette team and artist Mary Clerté with all profits going to World Central Kitchen.
The Nicolas Gogan Foundation
The Nicolas Gogan Foundation is a fund for trans+ individuals to receive direct funding for gender-affirming care. Nico was a friend of mine, a dear self-proclaimed “fairy trans-father” who was a big advocate for his community. After his untimely passing his friends and family have built this foundation to honor his legacy and dedication to his community.
The National Abortion Federation
The National Abortion Federation is the professional association of abortion providers. The mission of the National Abortion Federation is to
unite, represent, serve, and support abortion providers in delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care.
Holy Cross Monastery
Holy Cross Monastery – During an emotionally challenging time in my life, I stayed in the guest house of the monastery a few times, where I was able to reflect, journal, and pray. It was an experience that many people don’t allow themselves. The community of brothers are warm and welcoming, and the space is open to all people of all faiths (even those who don’t identify with a religion). And they take care of everything! It’s a gift. One of the most memorable interactions I had during my stay was when I asked one of the brothers, what is it like to be removed from the world, and he answered, “I am very much in the world, and see it for what it is and what it does to people. Most people are not in touch with reality. That is why they throw themselves into work, or hobbies, or their iPhone. They confuse reality with distraction.”
WIN: Women in Neuroscience
With nonprofits, I am interested in two things, the idea and the results. With the organization, WiN: Women in Neuroscience, I have found both. The nonprofit grants college aged woman opportunities in the neurosciences, granting summer internships in neuroscience labs to Encourage and Provide Support to Young Women, 1st Generation, Underrepresented Minorities, & Economically Disadvantaged, to Pursue Studies, Careers and Leadership in Neuroscience & Neurology.
I love this idea, and there are measurable results. This organization began with 4 interns. In 4 years, they grew to 25. The women who have graduated from the program, are impressive, often putting themselves through undergraduate, achieving 4.0 + grades, often times working while attending college classes, and doing what it takes to pursue a career in the medical field, often the first in their family, carving out their own path. And for the cherry on top, the women do it all with graciousness and appreciation. And as the logo of the organization says, “Science is not gendered. Opportunities shouldn’t be.” I love helping create opportunities – not handouts.
Books unbanned
Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned initiative provide teens nationwide with free and open access to their wide-ranging digital collections.
Books have been banned in public and school libraries across the country due to claims of “indoctrination of a social agenda”. Complaints have included LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, anti-police sentiments, acknowledging sexual abuse, and content conflicting with a certain religious viewpoint. Books that speak to LGBTQIA+ and Black teen audiences are most targeted. Banned authors include James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, Maya Angelou, and J.R.R. Tolkien (for being satanic).
The brigid alliance
As we all know, access to safe, medically supervised abortion has become increasingly difficult in this country. Brigid Alliance is an incredible organization that provides support for those who need to travel for an abortion. They actually book, coordinate and pay for travel, travel expenses, and child care, serving as a single, trusted point of contact for every step of the journey, which is amazing.
border kindness
Border Kindness is a nonprofit that supports people leaving Central American countries with food, shelter, medical care, and legal services. (I know about them because of my dear friend April, who cooks under the moniker Masa Memory, and always donates a portion of her proceeds to them.)
Sogorea Te’ Land Trust
I’m based in Oakland, California and support Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, an indigenous, woman-led land trust that facilitates the rematriation of land to indigenous people. My family pays the Shuumi land tax, a voluntary annual contribution for non-Indigenous people living on traditional Lisjan Ohlone territory.
AMREF HEALTH africa
I have been on the advocacy team for Amref for 5 years! Better health education for everyone! I am a strong advocate for the the thriving health of the youth generation in Africa. Amref Health Africa is the largest Africa-based healthcare nonprofit, serving people every year across 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Amref began as the Flying Doctors program, bringing surgical services to remote communities and also extends its mission to covid health initiatives, and sexual education.
Aspen Ideas: Climate
The earth’s climate is changing, and it’s changing now. My team has been working with the Aspen Ideas: Climate conference as their digital partner, which has me thinking a lot about how to be climate solutions driven. Also - I am a big fan of artist Haley Mellin’s Art for Acres project, which supports land conservation through the purchase of visual images.
Ceramic World Destinations
I've been helping my ceramics professor Judith Schwartz for the past few years on a project called Ceramic World Destinations as a part of the digital transformation for her non profit organization - Museum of Ceramic Art New York. The database is like google maps but designed specifically for ceramic related destinations and has search filters like residencies, studios, galleries, etc...it's a free tool to the public that will benefit many in the field of ceramics. The website and database is currently in beta and we are working on a re-design and we plan for this virtual museum to feature artists of the BIPOC community via online exhibitions, lectures, educational resources, and interviews with artists and academics. Please consider donating so we can continue our efforts in building the platform.
QUEER/ART
I'm currently partnering with Queer/Art to fund raise for an amazing member of the trans community in Florida who I've had the joy of photographing before. At the intersectionality of being a black, disabled transwoman, Yocheved is always organizing and helping others in her community. She's a brilliant and wildly talented individual that we as a community need to hold up and support.
LANDBACK
After having a child a few years ago I started to think of how I would present holidays and explain why we don’t celebrate most of the standard American Holidays in my family. Thanksgiving being one of the most troubling I started to inquire how we could counteract. I have been following and contributing in many small ways to the landback movement. On the last Thursday in November my family celebrates new world foods and discusses how and why we contribute to the LANDBACK movement the rest of the year.
Black Painter's Academy
Friend of Push Azikiwe Mohammed's Black Painter's Academy has been running an independent food bank in downtown Manhattan for almost two years now, it is completely self and donation funded. The amount of food insecurity in New York is immense and has only been exacerbated by skyrocketing rents, inflation, and the fallout of covid. This food bank hands out between 80-120 bags of food every two weeks to the neighborhood and is completely volunteer run.
ERIE arts and culture
I recently donated to Erie Arts & Culture and the United Way's Purposeful Placemaking Initiative, a program intended to create 50 new murals over two years along safe walking routes for young people in Erie, PA.
JUNIOR HIgh LA
Maybe selfish, but Junior High is hosting a raffle to help us pay our staff living wages during this sexy lil era of critical inflation. Visit juniorhighla.com/forthecure to enter!
THE international rescue committee
The IRC (the International Rescue Committee) does such incredible and important work helping refugees all over the world. A number of our instructors received critical and crucial help from the IRC.
Indigenous Women Rising
We are all still obviously reeling from Roe v. Wade being overturned. I know that I am. Indigenous Women Rising has an emergency abortion fund to support indigenous, native, and undocumented people in Canada and the US who are pregnant to terminate those pregnancies safely. Other projects focus on health education and support for incarcerated indigenous women. Since restrictions on reproductive rights predominantly impact communities of color and marginalized communities this is a great initiative to contribute to. The organization is also founded and run by indigenous women.
Dyke march
in the spirit of pride month, my social impact choice is nyc dyke march. it was originally founded as a protest alternative to nyc pride, centering lesbians and other wlw aligned people. it's honestly my favorite day of the year and the highlight of my pride weekend -- and donations to them go to things like direct aid for dykes, wheelchair rentals to make the march accessible, and donations to LGBTQ+ causes. the protest is open to anyone who identifies as a dyke, regardless of gender expression or identity, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, race, age, political affiliation, religious identity, ability, class, or immigration status.
Palestine Children's Relief FunD
Palestine Children's Relief Fund. While all eyes are seemingly on the occupation/war in Ukraine at the moment, children in Palestine (Yemen, Syria, and Western Sahara too) continue suffering sans mainstream press attention, nor any corporate boycotts or unified sanctions and relief from Western nations in support of Palestine. It's important that we acknowledge and stand up for ALL oppressed, suffering, occupied/colonized, and displaced if we seriously want to see fair, equal change/progress globally. Honestly, there are a bazillion organizations that I could share that could use crucial funding, but PCRF is a start towards seeing immediate humanitarian support/results for a people receiving very little attention.
the other almanac
A great project to contribute to is The Other Almanac. Some of my collages will be printed in the final project. Here's how Ana Ratner, the creator, describes it:
"The Other Almanac is a reimagining of The Old Farmer's Almanac. In case you don't know it, the Old Farmer's Almanac is the oldest continuous print publication in the US. Although it's advertised as "for everyone", it's limited culturally, does not take stands and has historically catered to rural white american farmers.
I think there is huge potential for a new almanac - one that is deep, meaningful, and bridges across the urban and rural divide here in the US. There will still be small wisdoms, articles, tips, calendars, and star guides, but it will include words and art from professors, adult industry workers, farmworkers, scientists, medicine makers, incarcerated poets, activists, astrologers, midwives, and more."
Lysistrata Collective
Lysistrata Collective is an online based sex worker activist cooperative and emergency fund to support marginalized workers in crisis. You can read more about their mission and donate here.
Save the children of ukraine
In these uncertain times across the globe, consider donating to Save the Children.
The Downtown Women’s Center
The Downtown Women’s Center is the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless women.
Endless orchard
Plant a fruit tree in front of your home, community center, or school. Map and share it with everyone on www.Endlessorchard.com by Fallen Fruit - (our Creative Capital project)
Black Image Center
Black Image Center, a collective based in LA founded by young Black photographers who cultivate imagination through photography and economically empower Black storytellers and image makers. They’re doing such important and cool stuff!
texas equal access fund
As a native Texan, I’m deeply saddened at the repressive Senate Bill 8 not only because of its impact on the fundamental right to make decisions about one’s own body, but because of the way it disproportionately targets low income individuals across Texas. TEA offers emotional and financial support to those who are seeking abortion care.
Women for Afghan Women (WAW)
Women for Afghan Women (WAW) is a grassroots civil society organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of disenfranchised Afghan women and girls in Afghanistan and New York. In particular, WAW works to help Afghan women and girls exercise their rights to pursue their individual potential to self-determination, and to representation in all areas of life—political, social, cultural, and economic. WAW relentlessly advocates for women’s rights and challenges the norms that underpin gender-based violence to influence attitudes and bring about change.
BRAVE space alliance
resources by and for the black trans & LGBTQ+ community in Chicago. providing aid, care and resources to the south side!