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Creative Economy Jobs Losses As High As 64% Last Summer in Capital Region

March 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

Performing Arts, Food & Drink, Film & Recording Among Hardest Hit Sectors

ALBANY – Creative Industries sectors suffered some of the highest percentage of job loss in New York’s Capital Region by the end of summer, according to new statistics from the New York Department of Labor. In the third quarter, the Performing Arts and Spectator Sports sector saw a 64% decline in jobs over the year – the highest percentage lost out of any other sector in the eight-county region.

“This industry has been devastated,” said Philip Morris, President and CEO of Proctors Collaborative. Proctors laid off 160 full-time and 53 part-time workers, plus has hired no stage hands for a year, the equivalent of 3 million dollars of annual payroll. There are now 32 full-time staff, representing an 80% loss in full-time staff positions at Proctors.

The Food and Drink sector suffered $43 million in lost wages – more wage loss than any other employment sector. Heidi Knoblauch, owner of Plumb Oyster Bar in Troy, had to lay off 100% of her workforce. “We employ people from all walks of life. Restaurants give people an opportunity to enter and re-enter the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for us – it has cut off our ability to contribute to our community,” she said. “The effect of losing restaurants will reverberate through our downtowns.”

Other hard-hit Creative sectors include Motion Picture & Sound Recording with 59% of jobs lost – the second highest percentage of jobs lost in the region. Apparel Manufacturing saw 41% of jobs lost, and Museums / Parks / Historic Sites saw 29% of jobs lost.

“The losses in the Creative Industries has been overwhelming,” said Maureen Sager, Executive Director of the Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy (ACE), a not-for-profit organization organizing and advocating for Creative workers, businesses and venues. “In 2018, the Creative Industries were the fourth largest employment sector in the Capital Region, with over 36,000 workers. Thousands of those jobs have been lost. It’s unthinkable.”

Morris added that the recovery will be extremely difficult. “The supply chain for so much of it, like theater, is months long. That means a recovery will be years. Federal support will help enormously, but more importantly we need artists back working and audiences back in seats.” When asked about the April 2^nd limited reopenings, Morris said, “Vaccines and social distance reopenings are just the beginning. We can’t really return until we can welcome full houses again.”

Additionally, over half of those working in the Creative Industries are freelance workers, who, statistically, have experienced more COVID-19-related financial hardship than traditionally-employed workers. “Musicians, actors, dancers, filmmakers, waiters, cooks…so many people have been cut off from their livelihoods,” said Sager. “Their employment options slammed shut in March 2020, and it has yet to be seen if they will eke back in 2021, if at all.”

Film director / producer Michelle Polacinski “had a full-time salary job at Branch VFX, a visual effects production company in Albany, before it shut down permanently in June. “Branch VFX laid off its entire staff of 15,” says its former Executive Producer, Sam Margolius. “The company had hired just over half of its workforce from local talent while attracting the other 50% to move here. These workers – and Branch VFX – were great for the local economy. So much related business activity is lost.” Branch VFX provided services for major motion pictures and series, including The Joker, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Jessica Jones.

“The film industry completely shut down for longer than many other industries, so it’s been especially hard for us,” Polacinski said. “I have since returned to freelance work out of necessity, but I only get about one gig a month if I’m lucky, which is never enough to pay the bills. It’s also harder having to commute to New York City or drive for hours in other directions just to work.” Freelance director Micah Khan estimated that he lost 60% of his paid work in 2020. “I had work lined up for the entire year of 2020,” he said.

Policinski and Khan have started a 518 Film Network group on Facebook, to connect and promote the Capital Region’s independent film community, which has seen the disproportionate job loss associated with both freelance workers and the Film / Sound sectors.

ACE has a survey to help understand services needed and other concerns for the Creative community. The survey can be found at: https://www.upstatecreative.org/ace-creative-economy-survey-income-employment-loss-2020-21/

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Contact:

Maureen Sager, [email protected], 518-248-9348

Heidi Knoblauch, Plumb Oyster Bar, [email protected]

Sam Margolius, [email protected]

Philip Morris, Proctors Collaborative, [email protected]

Michelle Polacinski, [email protected]

This report was prepared with data assistance from the Center for Economic Growth (CEG).

Author Noelle Gentile: Advocate, Educate, and Love

March 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

Director, writer, acting coach, and educator Noelle Gentile (age 42) has two remarkable daughters–Isla (age eight) and Lucia a.k.a. “Lulu” (age six). Born and raised in Albany, NY, Noelle spent 13 years in Brooklyn before returning home to Albany with her family after Isla’s birth.

A Family’s Journey

Author Noelle Gentile draws on all her strengths as an advocate and educator supporting her daughters Lucia and Isla, who is autistic and has epilepsy.

Isla’s Diagnosis

Noelle’s daughter Isla was diagnosed with epilepsy in February 2016 and on the autism spectrum in June 2018. (An estimated 30% of people diagnosed with autism have epilepsy, too.) Isla also has global delays. She struggles with side effects from the epilepsy medications. Yet, Isla “deeply connects with other people,” Noelle said. “She has incredible instincts about who other people are.”

It was a long journey. There were several diagnoses, starting with when Isla was 16 months old. An MRI showed non-specific brain damage. Noelle was devastated. “I didn’t understand it,” she said. “I didn’t know what it meant. Both the epilepsy and the autism diagnoses we had to fight for. We were relieved because we had a better picture of what was happening and how to support her.”

Noelle reiterated that a lot of the heartache of having a child with diverse abilities stems from the world falling short of embracing the child with adequate compassion and understanding.

Noelle’s husband has a lot of trauma surrounding Isla’s seizures, and related anxiety. Noelle remarked that it is different for her. She has done a great deal of processing Isla’s journey through her writing and art. Noelle said of herself and her husband, “We understand where each other are, but we’re not fully in the same place.”

Finding Schools and Resources

Noelle described how her family has navigated school, medical, and other systems for Isla’s wellbeing. Noelle said, “I have had to sharpen my tools.” Naturally a people pleaser, she is now less so. “Isla has challenged me to let that part of me go,” Noelle said.

She wishes there had been more resources available at the beginning of her journey through different abilities with Isla. That said, she remembers Isla’s time at The Spotted Zebra Learning Center–an inclusive preschool center in Albany–with gratitude. Noelle is committed to building Isla’s opportunities to flourish, through positive change in the world. “There’s a collective of us that wants to see this change,” Noelle said. Indeed, her dear friend Alyssa said, “Isla doesn’t need to change for the world; the world needs to change for Isla.” Through Make-a-Wish Northeast New York (with help from Make-a-Wish Southern Florida), Isla had her wish to swim with dolphins in Florida beautifully granted. (Make-a-Wish grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses.)

The Story of Two Sisters

In her role as author, Noelle Gentile wrote the children’s book Isla and Lulu from the perspective of Lulu–Isla’s then-four year old sister. Love between sisters personalizes this book’s themes of inclusivity and open dialogue amongst people seeking to embrace those with diverse abilities. Noelle decided to write the book after finding out that Isla was at risk for SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). Noelle observed that some people were distancing themselves from her family. The book means “to bring people towards us instead of further away.”

Asked about challenges she has overcome as a parent, Noelle remembered a family vacation on Cape Cod. Her two daughters were playing on the beach when two little girls approached Isla. Noelle felt anxious. Often children who approached often left when they realized Isla was different. But the two little girls stayed on and played with Isla. It turned out that they had a classmate with diverse abilities. Perhaps the world is, little by little, changing for the better.

Living Out Loud

As an advocate, Noelle tries not to center on herself as “Isla’s Mom” in the experience. The book Isla and Lulu and the people it can touch play a large part in her advocacy. She is also “gearing up to do speaking” about Isla’s medical experiences.

I asked Noelle what inspires her advocacy work. She spoke of a miscarriage eight years ago, and how she was not encouraged to speak about the experience. “Where’s our story?” she found herself asking. Noelle emphasized how important it is to see yourself reflected in literature, film, TV. It’s important for the world to respect Isla’s journey. “I want my family to be able to live out loud,” Noelle said.

Written by: Effy Redman

Effy Redman is a memoirist, educator, and disability advocate living in Ballston Spa, NY. She has published work in the New York Times, Vice, Ravishly, and Chronogram, among other places. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from CUNY Hunter College.

LIVING ONLINE Series: Raya Malcolm : Actor | Musician | Devising Artist

March 9, 2021 By Corey Aldrich

In the spirit of collaboration and best practice sharing, I thought it would be interesting to share perspectives from our fellow creatives to see how folks are getting along as we all craft new ways to practice our craft. For more on my LIVING ONLINE series, click here.

How did you become interested in being an actor? How long have you been acting in front of a live audience?

I’ve always loved playing pretend, performing, and watching theatre. But on an 8th grade field trip to Washington DC, we saw a production of Macbeth at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre. I remember my theatre director at the time and I basically clung to each other during the whole performance, absolutely riveted. The show ended and I was like, “I want to learn to do THAT.” I’ve been acting in front of a live audience since probably the 2nd grade. Long enough for me to really miss and appreciate it, given the current pandemic circumstances.

Your public facing self is always so vibrant and effervescent, how do you manage to stay so damn perky?

Haha well, thank ya!! Oh gosh, I don’t know. I like people! I like learning about who they are, what they’re working on, what they’re into. It’s exciting to bear witness to people’s experiences. I’m almost always better for it. So, I guess the possibilities and opportunities to connect with others keeps me peppy. And coffee. I really like coffee.

How has the pandemic affected your artistic practice?

It’s allowed me to really slow down and do some much needed self reflection. Grow up a little bit. Take more ownership of who I am and who I want to be, as a person and as an artist. It’s allowed me to till the soil, if you’ll bear with a metaphor. Tear up old roots and weeds and get the ground ready for new artistic projects to develop.

How is this affecting you financially?

It’s been honestly fine for me. I’m very fortunate to be able to live with my folks (I am extremely thankful for them), which has allowed me to save up some money. Having a bit of a cushion opens up possibilities for whatever my next move will be.

What’s your plan for 2021? Working on anything we should know about?

My plan for 2021 is to kick some serious creative butt!! I’m gonna be working a whole bunch with Troy Foundry Theatre (TFT). We’re bringing back the Trojan Alley Series we created last summer and have two new productions in the works (check us out). I’ve also been regularly singing with Emily Curro & Shannon Rafferty (both local creatives & TFT company members); we’re working towards putting together a set list to hopefully debut live at a TFT Alley Series event. If we ever come up with a band name…. And personally at the moment I am getting things together for a solo road trip across the country. Gonna be a nomad for about 5 weeks and get my senses and mind blown by all this country has to offer. Ready to be in awe of absolutely everything.

What advice would you give to other actors struggling with the same challenge right now?

Giving advice…hmm. First, breathe deeply. And find someone to hug. Hugs are great. More hugs. And then check out how other theatres and actors are coping and adapting with the given circumstances. Notice what resonates with you and follow your intuition. Might lead you to new opportunities you didn’t expect, might lead you to want to drive across the country in search of spiritual growth – who knows. Either way, it’s all good. Keep on the path.

A longtime ACE Contributor, Corey works out of Troy, New York. He runs a freelance consultancy for all aspects of brand development and business process management / development. Current projects include cash flow analysis, strategic market planning, 3rd party project oversight, public relations, event planning and front end visual brand design / design-build projects. He has a focus in not-for-profit arts and mission oriented organizations. In his free time he works on honing his craft as a photographer and guitarist. ([email protected])

5 Black-Owned Health & Wellness Businesses in CapNY

February 24, 2021 By Arielle Steele

Jamel Mosely and Rachelle Pean of Root3d, photo courtesy Collaborative Magazine

Now more than ever, the adage “health is wealth” rings true. As the world gets smaller in the face of COVID-19, taking care of oneself can seem like a daunting task, especially for those in Black and brown communities. Black and brown folks are more likely to be on the frontline in service positions that do not provide effective protections against the virus. We also historically have had less access to adequate health care. Knowing the threat COVID-19 poses it makes it difficult to even feel safe with one another.

With that being said, I believe that no one can take care of you like your own. As a Black woman in Upstate NY, I know that finding community can be a challenge. However, there are leaders here who are taking a holistic approach to wellness. By finding healing in one another, we find a sense of home, and we also ensure that Black business endures in the Capital Region. So if you’ve got your tribe and are looking for something new, or are searching for a wellness space, here is a brief list of Black-owned businesses dedicated to uplifting and serving Black and brown communities in the 518.

Root3d

Co-founded by Rachelle Pean and Jamel Mosely in 2019, Root3d is a local wellness center that uses a mixture of therapy, energy work, and movement based classes to address health in the Cap Region.

Root3d originally started out as a yoga class run by Pean at the African-American Cultural Center, but when she noticed that she garnered a sizable following she decided to answer the call for more.

“I noticed that when we had the yoga classes, people would stick around after and start talking about things like body image or how breathing is helping them manage depression. Having a space where it’s all about connecting with your body and your breath automatically opened up a space to talk about emotional health. It just made sense and goes together with healing. It’s the three dimensions of healing, which the Root3d stands for: mind, body, and spirit.”

Their Mission

Root3d aims to create a safe space where participants can feel free to be their whole selves, “We have a space where we feel like we’re seen, we’re heard, and we’re safe and then we can show up with [our unique individual] needs. And that can shape the space.” Root3d makes room for the multitudes that human beings contain, especially people of color.

How They Serve the Black Community

“The fact that most of our teachers/healers are Black and brown– there’s something that happens when there’s someone that looks like you. You see yourself represented in a space, whether it’s the teacher or other people in the class, something in you goes, ‘Oh this is for me too.'” Their offerings also aren’t one size fits all because of the range and wealth of knowledge of the instructors. Per Rachelle Pean, the teachers just offer their experiences and what they know, which is not one size fits all healing.

Why They’re Passionate

Founder Rachelle sees the connections between the present and the past in how Black and brown people are approaching wellness. “I know our origins, I know how we heal ourselves. I know how much we heal in the community. We’re not just about the individual. It makes me so passionate to see us coming back to that and to see that the Root3d is one of many.” Relying on the whole in order to restore the self is the driving force behind Root3d.

Where to Find Them

Root3d is located at 165 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12202. However if you would like to take classes virtually instead of in-person classes, you can catch them on their Instagram live streams or register for their Zoom classes.

Red Door Beauty and Wellness Garden

Wellness does not have a particular look, in fact it can have many! Established by hairstylist Erin Hundley, Red Door Beauty and Wellness Garden is equal parts beauty salon as it is wellness center as it focuses on non-traditional healing methods. Hundley also has a consignment shop within the salon which features independent products from Black women.

Her Mission

Erin states, “My focus is the integration of inner and outer beauty through hair, mind, and spirit.” Her special blend of hair services, life coaching, and offerings of the wellness sanctuary for relaxation supports this ethos. She wishes to establish a place of peace for BIPOC, especially Black women as we experience an intersection of violence in our lives. “We choose battles in our lives and I choose not to fight my hair. As Black women we have always had to to fight. I get so tired of fighting. That’s the groundwork of my business, healing that.”

How She Serves the Black Community

Outside of aiding BIPOC with styling and transitioning to natural hair, Hundley offers mentorship as she wants to offer what she didn’t have coming into her own as a Black woman. She showcases independent Black creatives in her consignment shop that features hair care products alongside crystals, incense, and tonics. Her consignment shop has lowered rates as she wants to help indie creators get their foot into the door.

Why She’s Passionate About Her Work

While Hundley’s interest in holistic health came much later in life, she’s always had a natural affinity for hair. “My grandmother and mother used to always go to the hairdresser, and I always gravitated towards [this work]. My cousin was like my test dummy, If I would go to the hairdresser with my mom I would watch the hairdressers and would try it out on my cousin. And she would let me!” Growing up in that atmosphere sewed a deep love for hair as Hundley came into her own as a woman.

Where to Find Her

Red Door Beauty & Wellness is still open during COVID and you can book an individual session here . Her shop is located at 510 State St, Schenectady, NY 12305 and support the creatives she features in her consignment shop here.

Healing Whispers

Though we traditionally think of health as it relates to the body, there are nontraditional ways to address spiritual health as well. Josy Smith does just that with her business Healing Whispers, located at 251 Karner Rd, in Colonie, NY.

Josy Smith is a Reiki Master Teacher, spiritual path coach, and an astrologer based in the Capital Region. In her work with Reiki, a Japanese technique that encourages clients to meditate and open themselves up spiritually to clear any negative energy in their bodies, Josy helps her clients heal a vulnerable space.

Her Mission

In her work Josy emphasizes connecting people — namely Black and brown folks — with their ancestors. “Who we are are who we come from. [I want to help] people understand that venerating your ancestors it’s who we are. It’s who we come from. It’s the source of so much power especially for Black people. The ancestors are those Healing Whispers that come to us in our time of need.” To Josy our ancestors are a form of guidance and protection. They create a sense of the divine inside of us.

How She Serves the Black Community

Healing Whispers’ physical location is closed due to Covid, but check back for updates or **book a tele session**

Josy not only services the Black community spiritually she also creates space for burgeoning independent business owners in the capital district. “I offer fully furnished professional rooms to rent for practitioners at very affordable prices. Commercial real estate is ridiculously expensive. For any practitioner who is looking to test the waters of their business, but do it in a way that fits their pockets, I provide that space. This starts from $20/hr and grows to different packages. She also has historically lended her space for local activists.”

In terms of local activism Josy also opens the space and calls in the ancestors for Black Lives Matters rallies, protests and meetings. She ensures that the space becomes sacred and allows for activists to stand on the shoulders of those from the past.

Why She’s Passionate About Her Work

Josy Smith has always had a love for spirituality. She got her start as a Vodoun practitioner with the blessing of a well respected Haitian mambo, or priestess. After she received a divination, her mentor priestess directed her to become initiated in the practice. From there she pursued her spiritual journey and has studied other works such as astrology to help guide others.

Where to Find Her

You can book a tele session with Josy here. You can also find her on Facebook.

Shia O’ Doula Services

For our expectant parents who would like to expand their prenatal care, there are options other than the standard OB/GYN.

Shia O is a doula who works in conjunction with nurses and OBs to help ensure the safety of parent and child before, after, and during delivery. Shia O gained her doula certifications in 2019 via BirthNet and has been active since.

Her Mission

Shia O says a doula “is a person who provides emotional and physical support to a person during pregnancy and childbirth. We are not medical professionals but we assist during labor and delivery. A lot of what I do is postpartum care. I stay on until people are settled and then I check in periodically up to 6 weeks later after the baby is born, or even longer if the parent wants it.”

How She Serves the Black Community

In terms of service toward Black parents, Shia O’s main role has been as an educator. “I like giving people other ideas. As a community we get stuck in our ways: if you get pregnant, you go to a doctor, you do things in a very specific way. And it’s like, no! Actually midwives and doulas are the ways we’ve been doing it since before [Black people] came here. So just having that conversation of education. Everybody doesn’t want the same thing, but it’s an option for you.”

Why She’s Passionate About Her Work

Shia O has a background in non-profit work as a care manager working with underprivileged youth. From the experience of supporting a teenage couple with their pregnancy, Shia O realized that this is another dimension of service she could enter.

“I love children, I love babies all the way up til they’re 21 in my program [at the non-profit]. I have a lot of genuine love to share and that is my passion. My commitment is to work with folks, it doesn’t matter your socioeconomic status, your race, your gender. I’ll meet people where they’re at.”

Where to Find Her

Shia O is based in Troy, NY and serves clients around the area. If you or someone you know would like to utilize her services you contact her at [email protected] or find her on Instagram.

Indie Vibez

Looking for an energy shift or a yoga class? Well look no further than Indie Vibez. Founded in 2017 by Bronx born energy worker Sasha Baxter, Indie Vibez is a brand that not only offers Kemetic Yoga classes and Reiki healing sessions, but also offers resources to aid cleansing like crystals, candles, and sage.

Her Mission

Through Kemetic Yoga and Reiki sessions, Indie Vibez wishes to begin healing with energy, “Healing energy rides on the breath. Through breath and slow movement, my goal is to assist with breaking up those kinks– those energetic blockages throughout your physical body so that your energy can flow more freely.”

So what is Kemetic Yoga? Kemetic Yoga is yoga that’s rooted in the belief that yoga has roots in Africa, specifically Kemet. The poses are influenced from hieroglyphics. Though there is not much of a written history, the practice relies on the oral histories and research to carry on the tradition.

How She Serves the Black Community

Sasha believes that Reiki gives Black people a chance to see what healing looks like for the individual first before the community. “As Black people, a lot of what’s been ingrained in us– a lot of it being necessary– starts with the community first. Sometimes that looks like not prioritizing ourselves. With reiki all we ask of you is to lay on the table and be open to it and it just flows. It’s a beautiful transformative process that allows you to start healing with ourselves first. That’s how you make change.” Sasha is among the few health and wellness professionals who genuinely strive for healing her customers and also upholds her wellness branding with integrity.

Why She’s Passionate About Her Work

“Through Reiki I have healed a lot of things and felt love deeper. I’ve experienced the world differently. I’ve learned to dream bigger and I’ve actually seen those dreams come to fruition. The way that Reiki has changed my life is something I think we all deserve.”

Where to Find Her

Sasha currently leads biweekly Reiki Meditation with The Root3d Tuesdays at 6:30, and offers remote individual Reiki cleansing. She hopes in due time that she will be able to open Indie Vibez’s doors in the fall.

While this is just a sample of what the Capital Region has to offer, these bold and dynamic businesses are representative of the community we wish to maintain in the 518. Community that builds the individual so that they may become part of the whole. If holistic health isn’t your speed, we encourage you to take a look at our index of Black Businesses. There you will find a variety of services that believe in the spirit of supporting one another.

Written by: Arielle Steele

Arielle is a local writer who has a passion for community, film, dance, and Beyoncé. When she is not working at Ayco, she can be found working on her next film project or trying out a new hairstyle.

5 Young Black Leaders: CapNY Influencers

February 24, 2021 By Naava Dae

For these five up and coming black leaders, leadership is more than just leading a group or organization. Each show their love for the community in the work they do. Their stories showcase the beauty and necessity that strong leadership provides.

Adaviah Ward: Guiding youth of a future to success!

Adaviah Ward, 26, is one of our young black leaders as a teacher at KIPP/ Albany Community Charter School. A native of the South End of Albany, she observed community problems like gun violence and drug use. These became powerful influences on her approach to leadership. She says, “These things made me want to impact change and do what I can for the young people in my area. I think Albany has endless good opportunities to offer.”

Adaviah’s love for young people led her to be a strong community leader. As a teacher she gets opportunities to impact her students. “My greatest accomplishment as a leader is being able to work with my students and watch them grow. I definitely pride myself in this each day,” she says.

She believes strong leadership starts with who you are as a person. “It’s important for people to be comfortable with you,” she said. “Be responsible and accountable, and remain open minded to growth and guidance from others.” Adaviah knows she exhibits these qualities when she leads, saying, “I am personal with my story. I am receptive and open to guidance. And I am consistently working to get better. I have the heart of a leader.”

Ignorance as an Opportunity for Growth

As a young black leader, Adaviah notices the assumptions that are made about the black community by people not of color. She says, “People who don’t look like us already having thoughts about us. They can be ignorant of our gifts and authentic selves.” But this doesn’t stop Adaviah; instead, it fuels her want to be better. She says, “When someone tells me I can’t, my goal is to prove them wrong. It becomes an opportunity for both of us. It teaches them not to label others and it helps me grow more into the leader I aspire to be.”

Adaviah’s inspirations comes from the community that she serves. She speaks on her family and how each of them play a huge role in her life: her mother’s strength, her father’s determination, her siblings’ encouragement, and her grandparents’/godmother’s religious support all helped shape her qualities as a leader. In addition to her family, Adaviah’s friends and coworkers keep her focused on her goal of continually making change in her community.

Deontae Guy is committing to positive leadership opportunities!

The next young black leader in this series is 19-year old Deontae Guy. A full-time student at Ithaca College, Deontae is involved with the school’s student government, and he will be running for student body president. He also is a member of the public safety department and the information technology department. In addition to his involvement at school, Deontae is a licensed youth and young adult minister, preaching sermons to inspire congregations to live a Christian life.

Deontae genuinely loves to lead. The qualities that he believes are necessary are being vocal, staying true to yourself, and being committed to your goal. He says, “Commitment is key because as leaders we stand for something greater than ourselves.” His three brothers/mentors, Michael Poindexter, Randy Stith, and Liam Staley, all offer him their support, giving him advice in his spiritual leadership as a minister, and how to balance Christianity in daily life outside of church. It was with their help Deontae was able to grow into a stronger leader.

Learning To Be a Young Black Man in a Predominently White Society

Deontae’s environment also encouraged him to develop strong leadership skills. He was born in Albany but lives in the Clifton Park area. He says, “There [Clifton Park] I had to learn to be a young black man in a predominantly white society.” He faced some racial discrimination, especially by administration at the all-white high school he attended. But Deontae wasn’t letting those difficulties hold him back. He says, “While I couldn’t do things the way I wanted then, I could take the experience of people using my blackness against me and pour it into my leadership. I could help bring solutions to those problems.”

Deontae receives his motivation through God. “I’ve tried hanging in the back, but I don’t think I can get away from [leadership]. I think being a leader is just who I am. When God gives you the talent, you can’t run from it. Leading is what I’ve been called to do!”

Theresa Ford is creating safe places for everyone to heal!

Theresa Ford, 26 is a licensed master social worker located in the Capital Region. Additionally, she is working on becoming a doula, and is a healing jeweler. Born in Harlem, NY, and living in NYC most of her life, Theresa noticed a big difference between her hometown and the Capital Region. But her ability to lead is something she can do anywhere, and she has chosen to do so in the Albany area.

To Theresa, leadership is all about honoring safety in yourself and your community, being responsible and sustainable, and valuing what your community looks like. “I do that every day. Encouraging other people to share by creating those safe spaces,” she says.

Healing Herself And Others

Through her leadership, Theresa is able to heal not only herself but others, and that motivates her to keep going. In addition to healing, she encourages others to unite and lead in their own lives. She takes an active role in many young people’s lives. “I am supporting them while they heal. And this is changing the dynamics of their lives and their household. Their world is becoming more positive because of my work.”

Theresa gets a large amount of motivation from her family including her late grandmother. “Even though she isn’t physically here with me, I have a strong connection with my grandmother. I think it is important to connect with your elders especially when leading,” she says. Theresa also receives support and strength from her mother and coworkers. Theresa’s biggest leadership achievement was continuing to work and inspire through 2020 despite all the challenges that it presented. She says, “I worked the whole year as a therapist and a jeweler. I kept true to myself in a moment of adversity. I’m proud of myself for that.”

Ozymandias Mercy Morris Jr. is inspiring through his connections!

Ozymandias Mercy Morris Jr., 27, is a direct support member for the company Lexington Arc, where he supports people with disabilities. He also has a successful art platform on Instagram where he shares his music and love for positive mental wellness. All of these roles in Ozymandias’ life demand strong leadership skills. And Ozymandias definitely possess them!

Using Connections As Community

As a young black leader, Ozymandias builds connections with the people around him. “I’ve lived in Albany my whole life. I lived uptown and downtown; I’ve had friends from different hoods and suburbs. All of these environments gave me new perspectives as I navigated different communities and social systems. That is important to leadership.” He emphasizes learning from people around you, which can only happen when you’re actively seeking connections. “Being there for each other is necessary. Especially for the younger generation, because they need that guidance,” he says.

Ozymandias’ greatest accomplishment is the development of a music program for kids at the Albany Public Library. Impacting young lives for the better is extremely rewarding for him. He says, “Leadership is being able to produce, connect and inspire. I was able to inspire and connect with the kids over my music program. I am happy I was able to do that for them.”

Arielle V. King is prioritizing healthy communities for all!

Having integrity. Using really good listening skills. Knowing how to problem solve in a group effectively. Being confident in yourself and your team. Staying loyal to the groups you lead. These are some of the qualities that make good leadership in the eyes of 22-year old Arielle V. King.

Arielle is a law student located in the DMV area in Washington DC. Her main focus is her environmental justice career path, which will help her advocate for cleaner and healthier communities. She also pushes herself to make other impacts, too. She owns her own small business, Writing Wrongs LLC, that focuses on helping organizations foster communities of anti-racism and safe spaces for students. Additionally, she helped found the club E.L.E.V.A.T.E 518, an all-female club in the Capital Region that is designed to bring women together and bring more visibility to political issues that concern them.

Strong Role Models in the South End

Growing up in the South End of Albany, Arielle always had strong leaders to look up to. She says, “I felt so loved and supported growing up because of the networks I’ve made. Seeing people that look like you in roles that you want is so empowering.” Among the people she admired growing up is her mother, who continues to inspiration Arielle in how she leads today. She also receives support from other black leaders in Albany as well as black women in her career field. She says, “There have been so many men and women who have supported me. They know who they are, and I am grateful for each of them.”

Though Arielle is doing various forms of leadership in her life right now, she believes the biggest accomplishment she made was during elementary school. She says, “In the winter during fourth grade I noticed other kids walking to school without a hat or scarfs. I knew that wasn’t right, and I went to my mom to figure out how I could help.” Arielle began raising awareness of the issue and asking her community to donate winter gear so that she could distribute it to schools for kids who need them. Her initiative provided hundreds of children with coats and winter gear. This coat drive is something that the Capital Region is still doing today. She says, “I think my greatest achievement is still yet to come, but being able to make an impact at such a young age was really amazing!”

This is just a peek into the lives of these young black leaders as they continue their work to making the world a better place. I cannot wait to see what they achieve in 2021 and beyond.

Written by: Naava Dae

Naava Dae is a writer and content creator from the Capital Region. She created her self-titled brand, The Naava Dae in 2017 and uses it to inspire people who encounter her work on multiple platforms. For more content by Naava Dae, visit www.thenaavadae.com and check her out on Instagram @realnaavadae.