Edify Justice Advocates
Edify Justice Advocates
Edify Extras: June 2023
Edify Extras resumes with host, Alex Dhanani. Alex is a content creator and the Founder of Bedroom Doozies (@bedroomdoozies), a project dedicated to uplifting and connecting the stories and work of marginalized voices to minimize feelings of isolation regarding one's identity and experience. Alex shares their own experience with identity and arts advocacy and discusses their upcoming Zine for the Harriet Tubman Effect Institute.
Follow Alex on Instagram @bedroomdoozies
Music for this episode by Evan Crommett and Nicole Justin
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It's June 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.
Alex Dhanani:Hi, my name is Alex Dhanani, and I'm a DIY digital creative and media consultant here at the Harriet Tubman Effect.
Nicole Johnson:They'll take it from here, giving you a little insight into their story and their work, after which they'll share 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.
Alex Dhanani:Being a non-binary lesbian, I personally faced the challenges of feeling isolated and navigating my identity. These experiences have fueled my determination to connect with others in my community who share similar struggles. I began my journey by creating projects right in my dorm room celebrating the stories and artwork of marginalized individuals. Through these initiatives, I aim to bridge the gap between loneliness and create a vibrant sense of community on campus. One of the highlights during my time at UT Dallas was the creation of Project Caught in the Middle, a collaborative endeavor with my best friend Sabrina. We transformed her small dorm room into an immersive photography studio inviting students from diverse backgrounds to step in front of the lens and embrace their true selves. We also formed partnerships with local artists and our LGBTQ Resource Center, nurturing a sort of tapestry of creative expression and inclusivity. It was through these transformative experiences that my passions for arts advocacy, I guess sort of ignited, and I realized that it was the path that I was meant to continue on. However, things took an unexpected turn when the COVID 19 pandemic struck. The bedrooms that once symbolized unity and creativity became physically separating, mirroring the motions of isolations. I had once felt this challenging period had me questioning a lot of things. One, how can I reconnect these distant bedrooms? To how can I continue building a sense of community when there are physical barriers keeping us apart? And most importantly, how can I ensure that my efforts are being accessible to all? During this time of reflection, I found inspiration in the work of punk activist Kathleen Hanna. Her approach and challenging traditional norms that professionalism and her unwavering dedication to her mission deeply resonated with me. She harnessed the power of art and music as vehicles to spread her message making it relatable and accessible to a wide audience, but in particular to young girls and a scene that was dominated by white straight sis able-bodied men. It was through her DIY sensibility grounded in passion rather than expertise that she empowered others to participate and contribute. This realization became a turning point for me, reigniting my commitment to arts advocacy, even with my limited experience in digital media. Little did I know though, that my perceived lack of skill would eventually become my greatest asset. With a sort of newfound perspective, I began on the creation of Bedroom Doozies a DIY zine that dives deeper into the experiences and creative work of underrepresented artists utilizing accessible resources. I took charge to design the zine by handwriting art, free Photoshop dupes, and of course through collaborating with many talented individuals. Emphasizing that anybody can create impactful art when driven by passion, bedroom, doozies became a tangible representation of empowerment, amplifying the strength and voices of marginalized communities. As my journey continued to unfold, I found myself increasingly drawn to the behind the scenes aspects of art advocacy. Collaborating with DIY musicians, I brought my design expertise to help them create visual assets and amplify their voices. Additionally, I took on the role of hosting zine workshops, guiding others and exploring self expression through art. These experiences deepened my understanding of the transformative power of creativity and its ability to transcend barriers. Throughout this journey, I had the privilege of knowing Nicole Johnson, the visionary founder of HPE, Nicole recognized my passion and dedication and brain to my personal projects, and welcomed me and as a media consultant here at the Harriet Tubman Effect. Through my role, I've been able to extend my love for creativity and empower marginalized individuals on a larger scale. The Harriet Tubman Effect has become my sanctuary, teaching me the invaluable lesson of self advocacy, and strengthening my belief in the power of storytelling. Working at HTE has allowed me to channel my creativity and drive into making meaningful impact. I'm super grateful for the opportunity to amplify the voices of historically marginalized individuals and contribute to fostering a more inclusive society. I firmly believe in the transformative potential that lies within the intersection of arts and advocacy, and I'm committed to continuing this journey of empowering marginalized communities through creative expression. We've now reached the part of the show where I get to share announcements, upcoming events and other opportunities to get involved with Harriet Tubman effect and our community. From June 17 through June 19, HTE will be hosting the Latern Library and Storytelling Festival. This pop up museum will be a multifaceted storytelling experience for guests who are interested in dismantling systemic oppression. In this pop up space, participants are given access to a digital and physical library of stories and a variety of mediums. All of which cater to cultural competency, cultural humility and sustainable social change. The experience seeks to help guests focus on the healing and their workplace as a part of their dismantling systemic oppression efforts. This is a place for like-minded leaders across industries who are seeking mutual understanding and support around dei progress and American workplaces. For more information on these as well as other upcoming opportunities, please be sure to check out HarrietTubmanEffect.com. Also, be sure to follow us at the Harriet Tubman effect on Instagram, as well as download the Harriet Tubman effect app to further engage with our community.
Nicole Johnson:I want to thank our guest host for leading today's episode. Please let our listeners know where they can follow and support you.
Alex Dhanani:If you'd like to support my work, please follow@bedroomdoozies on Instagram and be sure to keep an eye out for my upcoming zine with Harriet Tubman Effect.
Nicole Johnson:The Edify podcast is produced by Harriet Tubman Effect. Our production team includes Tony Ponella Adam Shaff and Belen Moyano with music by Alexandria and
