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A collective that centers marginalized voices in our 🎨 art, 🤸movement, ✨story telling, 🌈 joy and power as we work closer towards collective liberation ⚡

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Chapter 3 // Bloom

2024 Mission & Programming

• Movement workshops

• Chapter 3 // Bloom // 5.18.24

  Are you ready to connect with marginalized voices in the community, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and experience the power of the arts to inspire change? At Irresistible Revolution, we believe that art has the power to create positive change in the world. Our mission is to inspire and empower people to bloom into their full potential through the transformative power of the arts. We are dedicated to fostering a brave, inclusive and accountable space for individuals from all walks of life to come together and celebrate the richness and diversity of our communities. As a marginalized voices, we recognize the unique challenges and struggles that we face in our every day lives. We stand in solidarity to create a platform for marginalized voices to be heard and stories to be shared. This year's theme of "bloom" speaks to our commitment to growth, both as individuals and as a community. We aim to create opportunities for BIQPOC artists and audiences alike to explore new perspectives, challenge their assumptions, and discover their own unique creative potential. Through our events, workshops, and collaborations, we strive to foster a sense of connection and belonging among all who participate. We believe that by coming together in the spirit of collaboration and creativity, we can create a more vibrant, just, and equitable world. Join us in this year's Irresistible Revolution as we explore the theme of "bloom" and unleash the power of the arts to transform ourselves and our communities.

• Fire circle

Artists

• Mariah Barber (BYD)

  Mariah Barber (they/them/theirs) is an author, certified health education specialist, and researcher who has been working in the field with people helping them to uplift their voices for over a decade. Barber‘s work historically has been focused on the intersectionality between biological and social sciences on a global scale. They are the founder of the start up Invisible Strengths aimed at created a more intersectional and inclusive future of work. Her professional experience includes working as a radio personality, spoken word artist and in 2022 they were the 20th women of the world poet.

• Ebony Qualls

  Ebony has taught and performed in multiple cities throughout Asia, Canada, Europe, South America and the United States. She has toured internationally with the world famous Bellydance Superstars and Bellydance Evolution and has performed in and choreographed for Zoe Jake's House of Tarot. She is most honored to be a guest instructor on Rachel Brice's Datura Online, the leading website for belly dance instructional videos. Ebony has taught and presented at health and wellness events/centers Wanderlust, Lululemon, Daybreaker, Kripalu and Ecstatic Dance. She has performed onstage with Grammy nominated band Thievery Corporation, with electronic musician and performance artist Peaches, and with Turkish/Electronic fusion recording artist Oojami. She is the co creator of the Black Bellydance Bundle, a project that increases diversity and inclusivity in the bellydance community. Ebony's playful spirit flavors both her performances and her approach to teaching belly dance since 2003. A combination of strong technique, musicality, and innovation are the foundations of her colorful dance presence. Ebony teaches and performs both traditional raqs sharqi and her own dynamic fusion belly dance style, which is fueled by her background in both oriental and urban dance genres. Along with her love of dance, Ebony is in love with teaching. A founding instructor of Sahara Dance - Washington DC's Center for Middle Eastern Dance, her students describe her as "approachable" and her classes as "fun" and "challenging". She teaches weekly classes online in both traditional and urban fusion formats. Newcomers to belly dance are Ebony's favorite students, as they are a major source of inspiration to her. Ebony continues her own regular dance studies and has trained with world-renowned master instructors from traditional raqs sharqi and fusion bellydance circuits.

• Reed Bmore

  Reed Bmore is a mixed media street artist who engages with a viewer’s imagination and memory. With a background in graffiti art, Reed Bmore primarily showcases his creativity and various interests through wire sculpture, often seen hanging on traffic line wires. He wants to insert himself, his vision, into Baltimore’s social and cultural environment, to connect to the city’s unique beauty and charm in any way he finds meaningful, original, and relevant.

• King Flirty Rico

  King Flirty Rico hopes to not only to allow you to feel comfortable in your soft girl era, but also hopes to bring out your naughtiest desires. With his charming nature and primitive instincts, his goal is to win the hearts of all he performs for. Rico is also a nominee for DCs Best Drag King 2023 for a new awards ceremony and also running for that title with Blade at the end of the year

• Solera Lee

  Solera is the Transgenderlesss DMV Doll originally from a small town in Pennsylvania. A show producer, local hostess, and diverse performer. Solera is known in drag most predominantly for her high energy pieces, her lighthearted and engaging interactions, as well as being a regular dance floor closer at house and techno events around the east coast. A star continuing on her rise, and one not to be overlooked, Solera aims to bring a great time for every-one, every time.

DJs & Musicians

• Gabz

  Gabz a D.C. based djay is a long time lover of music. You can find her playing classic house jams around the DMV with the Soul service collective.

• Amarachi Ubani

  11-12pm Amarachi Ubani, better known as "DJ Rachi" or even "The Dancefloor Connoisseur," is a Nigerian-American DJ and producer from Lanham, Maryland, a small suburb of Prince George's County. This small town is where he found a love for skateboarding subculture, eventually immersing himself in the lifestyle, sounds, and fashion that came with it. After he attended college at Stevenson University in Baltimore County, Maryland, he left inspired by a particular dorm-room mate who had introduced him to turntables. He decided to launch his career using his newfound passion, which has taken him to various states in the US. Currently, he can be heard performing regularly in DC and Baltimore at several nightclub venues, creating vibrant remixes and sounds to complement his aggressive, eclectic yet mellow style of music and personality.

• Brooklyn the Kid

  Emerging artist Brooklyn the Kid (she/her) is a vocalist, songwriter, and showstopping performer. She birthed her career in Washington D.C.’s Rap/Hip-Hop scene in 2019. Brooklyn the Kid is heavily influenced by the 90's Rap scene and genres ranging from Bachata to Classical. Some of the artists you see that influence her music are Mac Miller, Notorious B.I.G., Hiatus Kaiyote, Celia Cruz, and Miles Davis. Having bold lyricism and taking creative risks is what Brooklyn the Kid is all about. She can create her unique style by blending influences of Hip-hop, Boom-Bap, Latin, Jazz, and Alternative music.

• Electrocute

  electro-cute (she/they) has been DJing and dabbling in production for 12 years, rising through the ranks in the underground rave scene in NYC. electro-cute started out spinning electro and has since expanded into mixing downtempo house, high energy tech house, and global house and global bass. electro-cute samples global musical palettes as an homage to her Middle Eastern, South Asian, and European ancestry and takes you on a melodic musical journey through all genres, musical keys, energy levels, and cultures. electro-cute currently host conscious dance and meditation events in the DC area with the project lovingly named Soul Fire Experiences, as a nod to the passion for the conscious community and seeking to ignite and uplift the community’s creative passions.

• Afro.fem

  "Influenced deeply by black futurist electronic music, afro.fem sets contain a whirlwind of drums, bass and vocals chops."

Education & Resources

• Wheel of Privilege and Power | Intersectionality | Just 1 Voice

  The wheel of privilege can help you visualize the spectrum of power, identity erasure, and marginalized communities to explore intersectionality.

• #BlackoutTuesday: Performative Activism’s Issues | Qy'Darrius McEachern | TEDxTexasStateUniversity

  What if I told you it was more important for Black people to be liberated from anti-Black racism, than it is for you to be PERCIEVED as a good person? Over the year of 2020, we saw an increased level of awareness in non-Black people on the real issues of anti-Black racism across the United States, which led to an increase in performative activism. This talk dives into this phenomena, its impacts, and what real allyship looks like with Black people. A DEI speaker, consultant, and content creator who has committed himself to researching and educating people on the systemic oppressions impacting us every single day through an antiracist lens. He is the founder of McEachernSpeaks, which specializes in providing an IMPACTFUL experience through consultations, workshops, + conversations aimed at leading organizations to analyze unjust systems and create equitable spaces. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

• Calling Out vs. Calling Forward with Justin Michael Williams

  Calling people out doesn’t work. No matter what has occurred, shaming or blaming someone else (also known as being called out) shuts down the centers of their brain that activate learning and growth. It’s literally biological for them to get defensive when they are called out. That’s why it’s critical to learn how to call people forward. Calling forward is an INVITATION. We are calling them toward something new. We must also be willing to be called forward, too. Learn how to bridge divides with dialogue. Healing Conversations is a 10-day course with author and public speaker Justin Michael Williams in which he shares his effective, life-changing 10-step system for having important conversations with yourself and others, no matter the topic. You’ll come away from this 10-day course with a new vision for your life and the world, along with healthy ways to set and enforce boundaries, the confidence to speak up for yourself in any situation, and templates you can use to enable and support honest and healing conversations. Learn more here: https://www.onecommune.com/healing ABOUT JUSTIN From growing up with gunshot holes outside of his bedroom window, to sharing the stage with Deepak Chopra, Justin Michael Williams knows the power of healing to overcome. He is the author of Stay Woke: A Meditation Guide for the Rest of Us, a top 20 recording artist, and transformational speaker whose work has been featured by The Wall Street Journal, Grammy.com, Yoga Journal, Billboard, Wanderlust, and South by Southwest. With over a decade of teaching experience, Justin has become a pioneering millennial voice for diversity and inclusion in wellness. “There are lots of conversations about change, not that many conversations that actually change something. My promise with the course is to help you actually change something.” ~ Justin Michael Williams CONNECT WITH US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onecommune/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wecommune Twitter: https://twitter.com/onecommune ABOUT COMMUNE Commune offers video courses and online workshops led by world-renowned teachers in personal development, yoga, meditation, health, sustainability, and social activism. Commune courses are designed to educate and empower people to create positive, lasting change in their lives and communities. Our mission is to make well-being and spirituality accessible for everyone. 14-DAY FREE TRIAL Start today: https://www.onecommune.com/try-commune-membership #innerwork #justinmichaelwilliams #healing

• Racism as a spectrum

• Racism as a Spectrum

• White Supremacy at Work

• Black & Asian American Solidarity: Exchanging Ideas, Sharing History

  Listen to this episode from Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi on Spotify. Cathy Park Hong is a Korean American poet, writer, professor, and the poetry editor at The New Republic. Her recent book, Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography in 2021. Hong and Dr. Kendi have a deep discussion about the uniquely Asian American experience of living at the intersection of racist vilification and the stereotype of the “model minority.” For further reading, resources, and a transcript of this episode visit pushkin.fm/show/be-antiracist-ibram-kendi/ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

• How microaggressions are like mosquito bites • Same Difference

  For people that still don't think microaggresions are a problem: just imagine that instead of being a stupid comment, a microaggression is a mosquito bite.

• adrienne maree brown: pleasure activism

  We must recognize that “pleasure is a measure of freedom,” that’s the first ambition writer, healer, and teacher adrienne maree brown has for her book and guide, “Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good.” In our movements and communities, we’re constantly trying to find ways to measure liberation and freedom, and love seems like as good a yardstick as any. What would it look like to love without fear? adrienne has joined us on the show before to discuss organizing as science fiction and the work of Octavia Butler. In this interview, she speaks with us from Bluestockings, a feminist bookstore in New York City about the legacies of the erotic --- from Octavia Butler to Audre Lorde and what it means to not just survive, but to seek and find pleasure. Like adrienne, the book is wildly popular and out now from AK Press.

• Irresistible Podcast Episodes — irresistible

  Find us on RadioPublic, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast listening platform. See below for all of our episodes, show notes, information about our guests, further resources, and full transcripts:

• Exercise

• lorde lesson uses of anger

  Table of Contents: 00:17 - What’s going on? 00:34 - What’s wrong with the way things are? 02:12 - How can anger be productive? 03:24 -

• Joy as Resistance

• What is intersectionality?

  Commissioned and Produced: Professor Peter Hopkins, Newcastle University - http://www.ncl.ac.uk/gps/staff/profile/peterhopkins.html Design, Animation & Sound Design: Stacy Bias - http://portfolio.stacybias.net Music: Courtesy Kai Engel and licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial License http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Caeli/Kai_Engel_-_caeli_-_05_machinery_1506 Special Thanks: to Newcastle University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Fund for providing funds to support the production of this video and to Kelechi Dibie and Vijaya Kotur for their advice and support.

• Active Listening Exercise

• Faith Ringgold: Artist & Activist - YouTube

  Faith Ringgold on fighting to get women and African-American artists into museums and the power of art. Faith Ringgold is one of America's most gifted and generous visual storytellers.

• DISABILITY | How You See Me

  "Society doesn't correlate disability with being attractive... but we CAN be stylish, gorgeous, stunning, and FABULOUS." For those with disability, what do you feel makes you a FABULOUS person? How do you think people see you as someone with a disability? We love to connect with YOU, no matter what language you speak. Help SoulPancake create captions in your language by clicking here: http://bit.ly/27FqhGH ▃ ▅ ▆ SUBSCRIBE to SoulPancake ▆ ▅ ▃ http://bitly.com/SoulPancakeSubscribe THE SPOONFUL, our weekly dose of good stuff from across the web: http://ow.ly/t7K7p MERCH STORE: http://bit.ly/soulpancakeshop Buy our BOOK: http://book.soulpancake.com Follow us on FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/soulpancake TWEET us at: http://twitter.com/soulpancake Visit our WEBSITE: http://soulpancake.com

• Internalized Oppression:Superiority

• Alice Wong: Making Space For More Disabled Asians

  “I feel like being Asian American and disabled… there's no way to separate those things.” Alice Wong shares her journey of becoming comfortable in her own skin as a disabled Asian American activist and hopes to make room for more to join in. Subscribe to HuffPost today: http://goo.gl/xW6HG Support our work: https://www.huffpost.com/subscribe Read: https://www.huffpost.com/ Like: https://www.facebook.com/HuffPost Follow: https://twitter.com/huffpost

• Audre Lorde reads Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic As Power (FULL Updated)

  Audre Lorde reads the essay "Uses of the Erotic: the Erotic as Power." There are some ad-libs, but this reading is pretty faithful to the final text, which can be found in Lorde's essay collection Sister Outsider, among other anthologies. One of the most important essays of the 20th century.

• Social Model Animation

  A rather quaint little film that explains the social model so well.

• A Message from the Future II: The Years of Repair

  Do we have a right to be hopeful? With political and ecological fires raging all around, is it irresponsible to imagine a future world radically better than our own? A world without prisons? Of beautiful, green public housing? Of buried border walls? Of healed ecosystems? A world where governments fear the people instead of the other way around? “A Message From the Future II: The Years of Repair” is an animated short film that dares to dream of a future in which 2020 is a historic turning point, where the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic and global uprisings against racism drive us to build back a better society in which no one is sacrificed and everyone is essential. The film is a sequel to the 2019 Emmy-nominated short film “A Message From the Future” with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and features the art of Molly Crabapple, with the political storytelling of Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis, and Opal Tometi. The cast of narrators from around the world includes Tometi, Emma Thompson, Gael García Bernal, and the Nigerian poet and activist Nnimmo Bassey. Produced with The Leap Please visit their site at https://theleap.org and subscribe to their channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcaa_RkWkP_DHG4tx5c94Pw Watch Part 1 "A Message from the Future" with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9uTH0iprVQ

• Toni Cade Bambara

  On the Shoulders of Giants: Toni Cade Bambara In 1981 Bambara was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Literature Grant because of her excellent publications. She would write and narrate the script for the documentary The Bombing of Usage Avenue in 1986, later that year she would win the Best Documentary Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. She also won the Documentary Award from the National Black Programming Consortium in 1986. Bambara moved to Philadelphia with her daughter in 1987, published two novels and wrote nine screenplays. On the Shoulders of Giants was created by Joseph A. Ward. Mr. Ward is a graduate of Florida A&M University and holds his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He possesses over six years of experience in delivering academic success presentations to grades K-12, college-aged students, and middle aged adults. By working in diverse venues such as grade schools, college campuses, juvenile divergent programs, correctional Institutions, religious communities, homeless shelters, and foster homes has become skilled at providing valuable life training to a wide variety of community members. To schedule African history education classes or life skills trainings click here: http://ontheshoulders1.com/contact/ Book Joseph Ward for public speaking engagements: http://ontheshoulders1.com/contact/ ***Please subscribe to our channel for new videos every week*** To order your copy of On the Shoulders of Giants Vol:1 North America click the link: http://www.lulu.com/shop/joseph-ward/... On the Shoulders of Giants Vol: 1 North America focuses on 10 heroes from Mexico, America and Canada. This book is for the brave,trailblazing men and women in history, who used their talents to empower and uplift their people, and fight for their freedom. When one is knowledgeable about their past, their sense of self worth will improve, they become vessels to pass along information to the next generation. Our 10 heroes are trailblazers we can be proud of for serving their people. "We stand on their shoulders." Enjoy!! To subscribe to our On the Shoulders of Giants mailing list click the link: http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.co... Visit us at http://ontheshoulders1.com/ Ontheshoulders1@gmail.com FB: On the Shoulders of Giants Twitter: @Ontheshoulders1 Google+: Ontheshoulders1

• Disability + Pleasure Activism

  Tune into a joyful hour where Claudia Alick and adrienne maree brown explore the intersection of disability justice, pleasure and liberation. Come for the real talk on activism, pleasure and disability. Stay for the dance party! Hosted by Disability Visibility Project + Integrated Community Services. Follow this link for a video description and transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qqdk_6yz4944me5tC4yBAqzg22kle4mln_F5s2ypETE/edit?usp=sharing For more from these amazing thought leaders: Claudia Alick: http://www.claudiaalick.com/ adrienne maree brown:http://adriennemareebrown.net/ Alice Wong: https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/

• Van Jones Quote

  The boundless capacity of the African American spirit in this country to say Hallelujah anyhow, to use our joy as a weapon, to use our creativity as a weapon, to use our moral clarity and our deep experience as a weapon not just to save Black people but to save all of these people.

• Liberation - Poster Art for Social Justice - Ricardo Levins Morales

  Poster art by activist/artist Ricardo Levins Morales featuring quote attributed to Lila Watson: "If you have come to help me..." Union and USA printed.

• Systemic Racism Explained

  Systemic racism affects every area of life in the US. From incarceration rates to predatory loans, and trying to solve these problems requires changes in major parts of our system. Here's a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it. ------- act.tv is a progressive media company specializing in next generation live streaming and digital strategy. Our YouTube channel focuses on animated explainers, livestreams from protests around the country, and original political commentary. Main site: http://act.tv Facebook: http://facebook.com/actdottv Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/actdottv Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/actdottv

• Mozambique� s Samora Machel: A Life Cut Short (Ohio Short Histories of Africa) by Isaacman, Allen F.,Isaacman, Barbara S.: Very Good paperback (2020) | HPB-Ruby

  AbeBooks.com: Mozambiqueâ s Samora Machel: A Life Cut Short (Ohio Short Histories of Africa): Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!

Organizers

• Jasmine Baker / Educational Director

  (she/they) Jasmine is a Haitian/Liberian flow artist, fire performer, and activist living in the DMV area. Jasmine began her flow journey 7 years ago and fire training in 2019. Motivated by the growth, self-awareness, and joy flow arts continues to bring to her life, Jasmine's fire magic leaves audiences captivated.

• Jona Monét // Arts & Humanities Director

  Jona Monét (she/they) is an Artist with a passion for making big statements, designing with purpose while using Art for Advocacy. She earned a degree in Digital Art and Design at Towson University, then moved to DC to pursue the Arts. She gained a variety of clients such as Beretta USA, Bet +, Essence Festival and the Department of Transportation and Extra Pulp and assisted community initiatives with groups such as One DC, Link UP and Black Lives Matter. Jona Monet has taught art classes ranging ages Pre-k 3 - adult with community partners such as Project Create, Friends of Anacostia and Sitar Arts. Most recently seen on Fox 5 live painting during DC Open Streets Anacostia,and as a model with Studio Muze, Jona Monet continues to share her love of art to empower and inspire.

• Hai Thai // Operations

  Hai Thai(he/him/his) is just a regular guy who is really bad at talking about himself. He is an avid movement artist whose interests span wide ranging disciplines, from the urban outdoors of parkour, to the outdoors-outdoors of climbing and high-lining. Having immigrated to the United States at the age of 2, his formative years have shaped the way he views cultures and norms in modern society.

• Sam Child // Director of Volunteers

  Sam Child (they/them/she/her/he/him) I’ve been a registered nurse for 12 years. Specializing in pediatrics, cancer and blood disorders, and emergency medicine. I am a founding member of Refugee Health Alliance est. 2018, a nonprofit free medical clinic and advocacy center for migrant refugees in Tijuana, Mexico. Currently studying to be a family nurse practitioner. I am passionate about accessible health care that respects the autonomy and individuality of each patient. I love collaborative activism and street medicine. In my free time, I love to be outside in nature, dance, act and participate in theater, clown around, and make community art projects with my friends!

• Nicky Pham // Creative Director

  Nicky (she/they) embraced dance & movement at the age of 13, to heal from and combat teen bullying and depression. They've dabbled in many different movement arts during their journey - including powerlifting, funk culture, flow arts and fire flow – but was drawn to the healing power of yoga and meditation following an injury in 2014. Making the transition to teacher in 2017, Nicky’s classes are creative explorations of movement as a means of both inner healing and self expression. Their goal as a creative and movement teacher is to offer brave spaces where others can genuinely tap into their power, find healing through their expressions, get closer to their individual self and step into their roles as a whole. Nicky is a skilled content marketing and creative specialist in their full-time career. They are the Creative Director of Irresistible Revolution, organizer, yoga teacher and creative based in the DMV area. Their extracurricular activities include pleasure activism, making videos, dancing, and lighting things on fire.

• Amos Britton

  Bio TBA

Consent & Accountability

• Irresistible Revolution Braver Spaces

  ↑ Click to Read Braver Spaces Policy ↑

• ↑ Click to Fill out Form ↑

  Intersectionality considers that we all have caused and been harmed. We commit to creating a culture of accountability, where we hold ourselves and each other accountable for any harm caused, whether intentional or unintentional. We are not qualified as judges, juries, mediators, therapists, or counselors and it would be irresponsible and potentially harmful for us to act as such. We commit to keeping a close watch on our events and acting accordingly. As far as harm that has taken place outside of our events, we recognize patterns of harmful behavior as grounds for temporary or permanent banning from IR events. We will provide a library of applicable community resources and be allies in supporting the healing and growth of our community. There is no “perfect” in the pursuit of accountability, but we commit to resourcing ourselves and holding space for you to the best of our ability. We commit to the ongoing process of peacemaking. We encourage our community to look deep within themselves so as to do the same. At this time, are you in a space where you can write about harm experienced or witnessed? Take a minute to check in with yourself. Do you need the support of a friend while filling out this form or do you need to come back to this another day? Please answer the following questions if you are able to do so. Listen to yourself and take breaks as needed. None of these questions are mandatory, only helpful for us. Some of these questions will not be applicable to your experience. Please note that all reports are confidential and will not be shared beyond the IR organizing board. (click button above to fill out form)

• Restorative Resources