Edify Extras: April 2023

Edify Extras continues with our podcast's own Executive Producer, Belén Moyano.  Belén shares her journey from immigrant to activist to curriculum designer within our community as the co-creator of the 5 steps of Edify. 

Belén also shares notes from what's coming up this month with Harriet Tubman Effect and the New World program.

Follow Belén @belencitamoyano or at her website, belenmoyano.com.

Subscribe to Edify Justice Advocate Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow us to learn how to engage with the Harriet Tubman Effect Institute and further dismantle systemic oppression.

The Edify Podcast is produced by the Harriet Tubman Effect Institute.

Download the Harriet Tubman Effect app: iOS

Transcript

Nicole Johnson: 0:00

It's April and this is our monthly Edify Extras episode, updating you on stories of dismantling systemic oppression from founders, fellows and justice advocates in our community. I'm Nicole Johnson, founder and one of the lead curriculum designers of the Edify, dismantling systemic oppression curriculum. I'm here to welcome you and also introduce you to today's guest host

Belen Moyano: 0:26

Belén Moyano, a creative artist, producer and activist.

Nicole Johnson: 0:32

She'll take it from here giving you a little insight into her story and her work, after which she'll share some announcements of some events and ways in which you can get involved in our community. I hope you enjoy the episode and gain a bit of encouragement on your journey in dismantling systemic oppression.

Belen Moyano: 0:53

I think it's impossible to avoid becoming an advocate when you identify as a person of color in America. You can't escape the ways in which the system is sometimes stacked against you based on the color of your skin. This is true of race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. When you belong to a marginalized group, there's usually something that will spark the desire to advocate for equality. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and immigrated to the States when I was nine years old. My identity as an immigrant shapes a huge part of how you move through the world, especially as I've navigated the immigration system for the last 22 years of my life. My journey of finding home has been a long one, but one that has enabled me to empathetically see the hardships of various communities around me. In 2020, Nicole Johnson and I were both working for a theater education studio as the only two people of color serving a diverse community of theater artists. We both had traumatic experiences with the owner. For Nicole, it was racial aggression. I experienced gaslighting and intense public contempt when I sought to address violations of labor laws. After learning of others varied experiences with abusive behavior at the studio, we decided to create a safe community space where employees could air their grievances to be shared later with management. After the intense and valuable three hour session, Nicole told me she had an idea for a five step advocacy workshop and Edify was born. I had the immense honor of shaping the curriculum with her helping realize her vision of nourishing advocates. edify became a program that empowered individuals to utilize their identity, imagination, influence and impact to initiate change via storytelling. I was a part of the first cohort of justice advocates working through the edify curriculum we had created and had no idea what would blossom from this seed we had planted. I've noticed that many advocacy initiatives are born of trauma as a way of making sense of gaslighting or aggression. Often as we set out to try to fix things and focus on others, we realize that much of the early work is in healing ourselves. From there we can expand from a place of personal power. I'm forever in awe of Nicole. Her tenacity and fighting spirit beautifully embody the mission of Harriet Tubman effect Institute. She has taught me, through her example, how to be a courageous leader who inspires and instills courage and others. I've been on a bit of a sabbatical for the last year or so investing in my own healing and creative work, but I still produce the podcasts are currently listening to and continue to work alongside Nicole and imagining a new world. I believe in this work so deeply because as a theatre artist, I've seen storytelling touch hearts and create lasting change. My own experience in marginalized spaces has shifted because my narrative has changed. I've decided to tell the story that standing up for one another raising our voices together creates happiness in and of itself. Okay, so now that you've heard my story, we've now reached the part of the show where I get to share announcements of upcoming events and other opportunities where you can get involved with Harriet Tubman Effect and our community. This month marks the start of the next quarter of HTE's A New World program. A New World is a 52 week program that involves participation in an ongoing research study. A space for like minded community classes and an accountability practice. Throughout the year we will work through a resource book that explores your relationship to culture, power and compensation. With a focus on building community leading with grace, self assessment and reparations. registrations are open leading up to the first meeting beginning on April 10. The weekly meetings occur on

Mondays from one to 2: 5:22

30pm Eastern or Wednesdays either one

to 2:30pm or 7 to 8: 5:27

30pm Eastern. You are welcome to choose whichever session works best for your schedule. Later this month, Harriet Tubman effect will once again host the lantern night. This free virtual event invites theater workers of all backgrounds to join HTE for a night of healing practices and support and telling your story of workplace oppression affinity groups for bipoc And why identifying attendees will be available, you will gain healing practices a completed article or rendering of your story and resources for sustainability and dismantling systemic oppression. Lantern Night is a space to navigate the storytelling necessary to heal. Your stories are shared publicly as a form of truth telling and learning in our community. So join us on April 24, from 7 to 8:30pm Eastern and bring your favorite snacks, drinks and whatever you need to feel cozy and comfortable at home by participating in this virtual event. For more information on these as well as other upcoming opportunities, please be sure to check out Harriet Tubman effect.com. Also, be sure to follow HTE @HarrietTubmaneffect on Instagram, as well as download the Harriet Tubman Effect app to further engage with our community.

Nicole Johnson: 6:59

I want to thank our guest host for leading today's episode. Please let our listeners know where they can follow and support you.

Belen Moyano: 7:06

You can connect with me on Instagram@belencitamoyano on my website at Belenmoyano.com, or catch me currently on the road across North America with the Hadestown national tour. I also recently produced a six episode comedy musical podcast called McCobb mortality services. That's mccobb spelled MCCOBB, which you can find on all major streaming platforms or at www.mcobbmusical.com Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more edify podcast content coming your way.

Nicole Johnson: 7:46

The edify podcast is produced by Harriet Tubman effect. Our production team includes Tony Ponella, Adam Shaff and Belén Moyano with music by Alexandria and Evan