Respond to every call that excites your spirit.  Rumi

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I am pleased to share that I, along with my friend and collaborator Joanna White (of The White Gallery) will be co-producing a documentary about the life, art and career of Yvonne Pickering Carter.

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Joanna and I met last year while I was in, what was supposed to be, a period of “resting and nesting”.  We became fast friends, connected over a range of things, and have kept in touch.  Some time ago, while in the process of clearing out a home in Wadmalaw Island, SC, Joanna, and her team came upon some beautiful artwork.

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The artist was Yvonne Pickering Carter. 

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This article in THE NEW YORKER talks about the discovery and a showing of Ms. Carter’s art in a show in New York City.

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A few weeks ago, I stopped by the gallery and Joanna began to share more about Ms. Carter and show me her work.   She was ahead of her time, one of only a few Black women focused on abstractionist art, working, and featured alongside Sam Gilliam, John Biggers, Betye Saar, David Driskell and many others.  After graduating from Howard with both a BFA and MFA, she went on to work as an artist for over 40 years and an instructor of art, ultimately chairing the art department at the University of the District of Columbia.

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Joanna shared her desire to produce a documentary celebrating Ms. Carter and needed an interviewer for the project.  I offered to help and the next thing you know…we are collaborating.

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For me, this is special for so many reasons, not the least of which is Ms. Carter was raised in Charleston, SC and her work was featured at The Gibbes Museum of Art in 1978.  (And, I am so pleased to be working with them this fall to facilitate learning sessions on inclusion, diversity, equity and access.)

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Sometimes you choose the work and sometimes the work chooses you.

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In this case, it is the latter.  And I am so grateful. 

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This project comes as I celebrate my first anniversary as an entrepreneur and, happily and busily, build my portfolio of work.

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We plan to share more as the project develops.

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Thank you so much for your support, introductions and well wishes. 

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They are truly appreciated.

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Leilani

LEILANI BROWN, LLC

Understand Culture.  Inspire Talent. Elevate Performance.

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#CuriousLeilani