The Clap Back is Back! This time, we're digging deeper into ourselves and the world around us. We're going in and coming out the other side to see how we really feel about what's going on with
CLAP BACK: THE RESURGENCE. *dun dun DUNNNN*
Remember when 2016 finally came to an end? We couldn't wait to get to 2017. And now that we're halfway through 2017, it's looking a whole lot like 1939 and it doesn't seem like we'll be out of these woods until somewhere around 2021. This year is testing many of us beyond what we thought we could handle. But guess what: we're still here. And we're not going anywhere. And we're certainly not going back. So we may as well talk about it, get clear on where we stand as individuals, take inventory of our boundaries, and eat Kita's cake!
THE CLAP BACK FORMAT
Five illustrious panelists are invited to answer hard questions that get to the root of some of the fears that we all have about what it means to be human. The audience gets to ask questions of the panelists in real time and offer stories of their own. To mitigate tomfoolery, we'll fearlessly explore ourselves using the 5 Guiding Principles of the Clap Back:
1. We are here to listen and learn from each other.
2. Each individual is an expert on themselves.
3. We are all students. We are all teachers.
4. We speak from our own experience. If we want advice, we will ask for it.
5. This space is held for Black Women. Respect the intention of this space.
MEET THE PANELISTS
I am honored to have Poet Lightning, De-Andrea Blaylock-Johnson and Raquita Henderson as panelists for the 2nd time, joined by new panelists, Dr. Marva Robinson and Dr. ClauDean "ChiNaka" Kizart. I've met all these women on various walks through St. Louis life, all doing everything they can to be the change they want to see in the world.
POET LIGHTNING
Poet Lightning is an award winning Spoken Word Artist (including Hottest Spoken Word Artist 2009-2012), producer, host, St. Louis native, and proud mother of three. She performs throughout the country, but always makes it home to produce and host the open mic show Hustle & Flow....The Experience, which celebrated its 5th anniversary in 2016, marking its place as a staple among St. Louis open mics.
Poet Lightning is host of Love Jones Theory and My First Love is Poetry, which has brought out poets like Jus Will and Mreld Green. She is a spokesperson for Girls Holla Back, an outlet for providing awareness of HIV/AIDS to young ladies between the ages of 12-17. She has been recently added to Adam's Rib, an all female collective based in Atlanta, GA, founded by profound poet Georgia Me. No matter where she goes, she heats the air with love and expressions of confessions from her transgressions.
Poet Lightning is instrumental in inspiring writers to get on the mic for the very first time with an entity called Poetic Cherry Pop Awards. It is introduced at all three shows she hosts here in St. Louis metro. Here is where she gives a certificate to those brave souls who embrace the mic for the very first time. Get a taste of the Poet Lightning to understand why "Thickness makes 'em weak."
THE ATTRACTION I WANNA B YO FREAK WHO THE HELL IS BOO!?
DE-ANDREA BLAYLOCK-JOHNSON, MSW
De-Andrea Blaylock-Johnson is licensed in the state of Missouri as a Clinical Social Worker and has worked in the field of mental health since 2004. She is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and live as whole persons. De-Andrea firmly believes you must be the change you wish to see in this world and endeavors to positively impact her clients through her interactions with them. As the owner of
Sankofa Sex Therapy, LLC, she helps individuals and those in all types of relationships reach their goals. She conducts workshops about sexuality and intimacy building and is an Executive Committee Member of the Women of Color Sexual Health Network. In addition to being your favorite sex therapist, she's a hunter of fabulous earrings.
RAQUITA HENDERSON, RELATIONSHIP PHOTOGRAPHER
Raquita Henderson is a relationship photographer who works best with people who value partnership in their personal and professional lives. She is the owner, lead photographer, and primary creator of awesomeness at
Pinxit Photo. She also owns Pinxit Studio, where the Clap Back is being held (Thanks Raquita!).
"I am a hard person to put in a category. I’ve been a “creative” all my life. And hard to categorize for just as long. Painting, poetry, cooking; anything that makes people happy I love to be involved in. My dad gave me a camera when I was 12 and started me on my own affair with photography that has spanned over 20 years. I shot my first wedding in 1990, and have been on this path ever since.
For me it’s all about story telling and having the.best.time. Whether in a portrait session or a wedding day there is a story unfolding – and I love to find it, capture it and give it back to you to enjoy and relive over again.
I’m supposed to tell you how much I love caramel macchiatos and romantic comedies, but I figure that can wait until we meet in person. I’ll forgo the traditional “I am passionate about photography” speech mmm’kay?
It would be my biggest honor to join you in your life, with your family and friends, to capture images you will cherish."
DR. CLAUDEAN "CHINAKA" KIZART
Dr. Kizart is an Íyaloriṣa, fully initiated priestess of Obatala with an uncanny relationship to Oshun in the Lukumi, an African-Cuban tradition (popularly known as Yoruba). As an Espiritista/Spiritualist she began seeing spirits as a child and began training with an elder Íyaloriṣa, with over 30 years of experience in the Voodoo, Palo, and Lukumi traditions. As a Clairvoyant & Trance-medium she uses her gift as a beacon of light to help others remember their light as well. She is also a literacy trainer, college instructor, and fierce advocate for first–generation college students.
Dr. Kizart offers Spiritual/Psychic and Tarot Card Readings, Simple Prayer Spiritual Products, Rose Water (to relieve stress), Florida Water (to consecrate crystals and for some spiritual baths), Basil Floor Wash (to remove stagnation and bring good luck), and Spiritual Baths to help clients gain insight on love, business, career, family, health, and more.
DR. MARVA M. ROBINSON
Dr. Marva M. Robinson is the oldest child of Marva J. Robinson and G. Preston Gridiron and the proud mother of one son, Preston, whom she credits as her biggest teacher. Born to an ambitious mother in St. Louis, MO, she was quickly exposed to sports, arts, and theatre at a young age. She received her high school diploma from Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day school and immediately went on to pursue her dream and passion of becoming a Psychologist. She completed her undergraduate studies at Saint Louis University and her doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University where she graduated with a specialization in Forensics and a focus in Child, Adolescent and Family Psychology.
Dr. Robinson currently serves as the Past President of the St. Louis Chapter of The Association of Black Psychologist, an organization focused on addressing the mental health needs of people of the African Diaspora. She also works with the respected Better Family Life organization as a clinician in their gun violence de-escalation program.
Dr. Robinson started her private practice Preston & Associates Psychology Firm, LLC in 2013 so she could have the freedom to reach families where they are. She has worked with her colleagues in St. Louis Association of Black Psychologists to address the acute crisis needs of the Ferguson and greater St. Louis community. Dr. Robinson has conducted workshops in an effort to help prepare her colleagues for addressing community trauma. Her recent trainings have been held for the Missouri Psychiatric Association, Washington University Clinical Psychology Graduate School, and the St. Louis Veteran's Affairs.
A repeat guest on MSNBC and NPR, Dr. Robinson shares her insight on the role of a clinician in the midst of community turmoil. She is currently working in St. Louis, Missouri full –time with veterans in addition to recently joining the adjunct professor staff at Webster University.
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Kita Anthony, Bringer of Cake
"I am an artist, daughter, mother, sister,
friend, BLERD (Black Nerd), baker,
and avid reader. Learn about my
movement to amplify our voices at
http://melaninatedmargins.weebly.com"
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We'll be meeting Thursday June 1, 6-8:30pm at Pinxit Studios There will be light snacks and drinks. No alcohol this time, but you can BYOB. Kita is bringing cake (Thanks Kita!)! Bring your daughters and your sons, and food to share. This is an open event, still, it is a non-censored event. Parental discretion is advised.
