2 minute read

INTERSECTIONAL DISABILITY ADVOCACY THROUGH MOVEMENT AND MUSIC

MASSACHUSETTS MINUTE

Abilities Dance Boston seeks to disrupt antiquated ableist beliefs and disseminate the value of intersectional disability rights in Greater Boston and beyond. Our organizational goals are to build a better Boston by thinking of intersectional equity through a disabled lens. We realize there is no such thing as a hierarchy of oppression, and that all forms of discrimination must be eliminated to work towards a truly equitable future. This foundation has inspired our Intersections Series, V2. This show was created by Founder, Executive Director, and Artistic Director Ellice Patterson and Director of Music, Andrew Choe, who both identify as disabled, neurodivergent, and QTBIPOC. Patterson especially felt that disability work can be really white and racial equity work can be ableist, leaving out those who identify as both. This show honors people living at said intersections, past and present, while interviewing them and researching their journeys to bring it all to life on stage. This production truly showcases what advocacy in the arts is when disabled folks are in positions of leadership to create their own and others› stories. We also partner with the Disability Policy Consortium to highlight current bills that are on the state floor and work to match these bills to the honorees› life journeys and humanize these bills. We hope that with a deeper intersectional disability cultural competency, the audience will take away that not only can they advocate for more access in their communities, but with their legislators to get these bills passed. In an effort to be as accessible as possible, Abilities Dance Boston provides unlimited free tickets for live and live streamed audiences who can›t afford to see our work, including that of the deaf and disabled community. Accessibility is important to us—and to all who want to see our work.

Abilities Dance Boston

SISTA CREATIVES RISING: A BLACK WOMAN OWNED ENDEAVOR PARTNERING WITH BRAIN ARTS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN AND FEMMES

We’re Claire and Amaranthia, a Black-invisibly-disabled mother and daughter team sharing our healing journey through our developing business, Sista Creatives Rising. Our mission is to help marginalized women/femme creatives gain accessibility and visibility in the arts to facilitate personal healing.

Together we develop virtual, disability-accessible art shows for BIPOC marginalized women/femmes called “Art & Mind.” A survivor of childhood domestic violence, I entered Mount Holyoke College in 1999 as a Frances Perkins Scholar at 32 to develop my mission of helping my mother and other marginalized women. Amaranthia saw me battle against the intergenerational legacy of abuse and was inspired to fight against bullying in her own life.

With each show, we raise funds for Brain Arts Org, a non-profit in Boston supporting underrepresented creatives. In 2021 we raised $751 during our first show, “Reflections of Women, Femmes and Our Mental Health During COVID.” This year we’re also partnered with Dancing Queerly Boston.

In March 2022, I was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, which manifested as a massive tumor on my spine. I had emergency surgery, neuropathy, and a frightening paralysis scare. Six days after launching Sistas, I lost my mobility and was losing it by the hour. In remission, I’m in the 1% to walk again after such surgery. Still recovering, we’ve decided to relaunch and work on the next “Art & Mind.”

Our open call is June 1st. The new show called “I Know Who I Am!” tells stories through documentaries of Black women/femmes who’ve used art to heal from crises. We’re challenging the concept of open calls, where artists must depend on “free exposure”, by working with Brain Arts to compensate artists. The five finalists and two entrepreneurs will receive $200.00.