Oil on canvas
66 3/4 x 48 1/8 inches (169.55 x 122.24 cm) 
Courtesy of the artist 

Oil on canvas
64 x 48 1/4 inches (162.56 x 122.56 cm)
Courtesy of the artist

Oil on canvas
65 3/4 x 48 1/4 inches (167.01 x 122.56 cm) 
Courtesy of the artist

We honor our ancestor Ruth and the seeds planted in her garden. May those seeds bloom into caring for ourselves and each other with the utmost intention. 

We honor our ancestor Geraldine’s laugh and the memories she shared with her family over a home-cooked meal. May we take every moment possible to create as many of those memories as we can with our families.

We honor our ancestor Heyward and his recognition that each of us has value. May we remember that we are all worthy of love and care regardless of our life’s circumstances and bring that to our interactions with our community. 

We honor our ancestor Roberta and the ray of sunshine that she was. May we be the sunshine in our own lives and light up the lives of those around us. 

We honor our ancestor Aaron’s bravery and courage to protect our community in the face of danger. May we be fearless in protecting our brothers and sisters.

We honor our ancestor Andre and his love for his family. May we remember to cherish our loved ones and never take their love for granted. 

We honor our ancestor Celestine’s resilience and her courage to live, and may we choose to live courageously every single day.

We honor our ancestor Pearl’s faith. May we carry with us a comforting belief in something bigger than ourselves. 

We honor our ancestor Margus and his contagious energy. May we bring an energy of love and healing to everyone we meet. 

We honor our ancestor Kat and her warrior spirit as an activist for her community. May we tap into our own power to demand a better life for ourselves and each other.  

May we honor the lessons of love that can be found in the lives of the ten ancestors we gained on that day, and in the generations of ancestors before them. 

Oil on canvas
65 x 50 1/2 inches (165.1 x 128.27 cm)
Courtesy of the artist

Mourning until Morning
Jilllian Hanesworth (American, born 
 

In the morning when we rise, give us freedom
Give us a rhythm to dance to and a light bright enough to eliminate the hurt
Give us a new reason and a why
A new sky without a cloud in sight
In the morning, give us healing
Turn the sadness into acceptance and acceptance to ammunition  
Take the fire from around us and place it within us 
Give us the boldness to burn it all down to protect our own
In the morning when we rise, dry our weeping eyes
Let each tear water plants of purpose 
Allow hope for tomorrow to sprout from our dampened land 
A land stained with the blood of our ancestors 
Let us become their legacy finishing the work they began 
And beginning new works with their vision in mind
In the morning let us rise
Let our legs sore from marching
Our knees bruised from praying
Our minds weary from worrying
All find a peace beyond our own understanding
And even while in the thick of it 
Give us the encouragement needed to remember that tomorrow is on its way
Give us the wisdom to know when to rise
But until that time
We’ll be mourning until morning 

Acrylic on canvas
53 1/2 x 38 5/8 inches (135.89 x 98.11 cm)
Courtesy of the artist

Finding the Words
Jillian Hanesworth

We searched for the words in the music
We sang the same songs at the same time as if they were the gospel 
We hugged in the streets like old friends despite the new wounds 
We searched for the words in the food 
Barbeques and drive-up pantries nourishing the soul by nourishing the body
We waited for them to come in the silence
Ten moments of silence
Ten deep breaths
Ten protests commanding change in a world where reform doesn’t work
Thoughts and prayers sailing through the city like air
We searched the breeze hoping the words would be hidden there
But the thoughts didn’t ease the pain and the prayers didn’t solve the problem
The generations of problems
Of skin color becoming life sentences 
No speech from the top of the mountain protected the people in the valley 
Or the people east of Main Street still searching for a finish line to run towards
Once the cameras cut off and the commotion quiets
We’re left still searching for the words

Join Naila Ansari as she guides you in a joy-through-movement exercise intended to foreground positivity and self-reflection.

This is the moment to put on your best
Your three-piece suit or floor-length dress
You shine a bit brighter and greet others with a smile
With a heart warm enough to make summer stay a while
And even in the silence your imprint leaves a mark
Every day is Sunday with you 
A lifetime is one day with you