Inside the Walls

Daviree Velazquez Phillip works with historically excluded and oppressed peoples to create pathways and systems of care for our communities. As an ​​External Facilitator for Threewalls, she held the space for the difficult and authentic conversations we needed to heal together. As you’ll hear in this conversation, Daviree and I are very aligned. I had a great time discussing with her about what it’s like to work as an organizational health consultant, modeling behavior, how she checks in with herself first before taking on new projects and intuitive leadership. I’ve learned from her that “grace has an expiration date.” Find out also how we can all grow from setting boundaries and collective rest. Links and resources mentioned:Daviree’s LinkedInTogether+ThroughThreewalls

This is the second part to my conversation with Colin D. Lord where we continue our discussion about his work at Threewalls. Tune in as we explore what we mean by leaning into discomfort, the privilege of having a voice, and being apologetic. Colin D. Lord joined Threewalls at a crucial time where we had to address anti-racism and explore how we could fully serve the ALAANA/BIPOC  artistic community from within. Colin has a lot of experience across the country working in non-profit work and education, and it’s his mission to address issues around disparity of education. Links and resources mentioned:Giving Voice to All through Art with Colin D. Lord, Part 1A Better Chance004: Quality Attracts Quality with Devin MathewsGlass Curtain GalleryThreewalls

Too often we see beautifully written diversity and inclusion statements on company websites, but they’re rarely practiced. Colin D. Lord joined Threewalls at a crucial time where we had to address anti-racism and explore how we could fully serve the ALAANA/BIPOC  artistic community from within. I bring Colin on to the show to reflect over what he’s learned at Threewalls over the past four years, while he is taking a hiatus from his board membership. Colin has a lot of experience across the country working in non-profit work and education, and it’s his mission to address issues around disparity of education. Tune in to our conversation as we discuss educational access, supporting black women in leadership, Colin’s “not on my watch” mantra, the power of humour – and going to the same high school as Rihanna.Links and resources mentioned:A Better Chance004: Quality Attracts Quality with Devin MathewsGlass Curtain GalleryThreewalls

As one of our longest-standing board members, Devin Mathews has played a critical role in realizing our vision. He joined Threewalls thirteen years ago, so he’s seen how a small arts organization can grow smartly by expanding deep from within. His work ethic is always quality over quantity.Devin has over twenty years of experience investing in technology companies and helping management teams build their companies. He’s also co-founder of ParkerGale, a small private equity firm. As we continue to reveal what goes on behind the scenes, we learn more about Devin’s intentions for Threewalls’ financial stability and resilience. Links and resources mentioned:001: How Is Your Heart Beating?Threewalls

At Threewalls we’ve been taking time away to heal, rest and process. Amidst a global pandemic, the continued assault on Black lives and Black bodies – and of late, the Insurrection – we’ve been needing a lot of collective care.This episode reflects over what love and health means for our organization. Tune in as I uncover the impact of collaboration, dealing with anti-Blackness and letting go of Whiteness. Let’s continue to do the work and hold the space for the humanity of Black artists and creatives, as well as Brown and other colour, intersectional identities, and the deaf and disabled. Links and resources mentioned:‘Salvation: Black People and Love’ by Bell Hooks: https://www.amazon.com/Salvation-Black-People-bell-hooks/dp/0060959495 Episode 1: How Is Your Heart Beating?: https://three-walls.org/podcasts/episode1/ ‘Dear Science and Other Stories’ by Katherine McKittrick: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Science-Other-Stories-Errantries/dp/1478011041Public Thinker: Katherine McKittrick on Black Methodologies and Other Ways of Being: https://www.publicbooks.org/public-thinker-katherine-mckittrick-on-black-methodologies-and-other-ways-of-being/ 

Within just four years, today’s guest Chiblie Coleman moved from being Board Treasurer to Board President at Threewalls. It’s been an amazing journey of learning and growth for Chiblie, so I’m excited to catch up with her to discuss what it means for the BIPOC and ALAANA artistic community to thrive.Chicago born and raised, Chiblie is an artist herself with a career in finance. We met at a networking event, and her service has been invaluable. Join us as we discuss her future strategies for Threewalls, building relationships, the opportunities with virtual communities – and our love for food.Links and resources mentioned:001: How Is Your Heart Beating?The Arts and Business CouncilIn-SessionBreaking BreadThreewalls

How do you check the beat of your heart, throughout your work? In our inaugural episode, we explore how Threewalls is keeping in tune with its heart. As we disrupt the notion that power resides only at the top, we need the right board of directors to celebrate racial, ethnic, cultural diversity and who understand everyone has power. Learn how we became who we are today, an artistic space for BIPOC and ALAANA. In this episode, we explore how Threewalls has evolved to being inclusive, how we recruit the right directors, and what the future shapes up to be – it’s an ongoing thing once you have your dream board.Links and resources mentioned:The Arts and Business CouncilThe Field FoundationWood Fund of ChicagoThreewalls

Hosted by Dr. Jeffreen M. Hayes, Inside The Walls is a podcast that celebrates the power of Black radical imagination. Through interviewing board members, curators, artists, and so many more talented people, the show will offer how art connects segregated communities, people, and experiences together. This show is brought to you by Threewalls, a contemporary arts organization that holds space for new and unique voices within the Chicago artistic community, from a diverse set of perspectives and approaches. In this trailer episode, Jeffreen shares how Threewalls came to be what it is today – and a taste of what’s to come throughout the show.Links and resources mentioned:Threewalls