black lives matter

Cover art for episode 39 of Changes Big and Small with Sebene Selassie

The Only Way Out is Through

Sebene Selassie is a teacher, author, and speaker who explores the themes of belonging and identity through meditation, creativity, and spirituality. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Washington, DC Sebene began studying Buddhism 30 years ago as an undergraduate at McGill University, where she majored in comparative religious studies. She has an MBA from the new school where she focused on race and cultural studies. For over 20 years, Sebene works with children, youth, and families, nationally and internationally for small and large not for profits. Her work has taken her everywhere from the Tenderloin in San Francisco to refugee camps in Guinea, West Africa. A strong believer in the power of arts-based learning, she has planned, coordinated and taught a variety of creative programs, including intergenerational photography, digital storytelling, and youth media. Sebene is a three-time cancer survivor of stage three and four cancer. Her first book You Belong: A Call for Connection will be released by HarperOne in August.

You can connect to Sebene on her website, sebeneselassie.com. She’s a teacher also on the 10% Happier app. And there are lots of great meditations from one minute to much longer ones.

You can connect to me on the Changes BIG and small website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube. You’re also invited to join the Changes BIG and small Facebook community.

Remember that change begins with one small step. Have a lovely week.

Find the full show notes at https://changesbigandsmall.com/39

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cover art of changes big and small profiling Bryon Summers with his camera fighting racism

Fighting Racism Frame by Frame with Bryon Summers

Currently, I’m focused on a special series exploring equality, justice, and anti-racism. Today, I’m speaking with Bryon Summers who lives in New Jersey. I contacted Bryon after seeing this photo on Instagram. I explained to him that this is why I contacted him. The podcast starts with his response to my confirmation.

Bryon Summers has honed his craft as a portrait photographer, capturing classical images of guests of the hip hop and culture podcast, “The Combat Jack Show”, in addition to hosting two of his own weekly photography based podcasts, “We’re Getting Better” and “Shooting With Shooters”.

Since moving to New York in 2013, Summers has worked on personal photography projects that eventually led to art exhibitions in New York and Washington, DC after taking the stage at a Creative Mornings New York event, Bryon was bitten by the speaking bug. Since then he has used his experiences in media, fine arts and personal life to share with audiences.

In addition to creating ‘We’re Getting Better”. Summers has held educational workshops at universities and agencies about diversity in the media. In 2016, Summers has turned his attention to helping to change the negative narrative of black men with the goal of photographing 1000 men and boys with the “We Love You” project. The series was installed as a mural in DC, as well as online with the Google Cultural Institute.

Amongst other topics, Bryon and I talk about social change movements, being a black man in America and racism, demonstrating and other forms of activism.

Find more work from Bryon including his social links via the weloveyouproject.com and bryonsummers.com.

Find the full show notes at https://changesbigandsmall.com/36

Join the Changes Big and Small Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/changesbigandsmall1

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In Support of Black Lives Matter

This is a special episode of Changes BIG and small. I put out this episode in support of justice for George Floyd, who was killed when a police office knelt on his neck for 8 minutes 46 seconds while he cried for his life. I support justice for Breonna Taylor who was killed in her own home. There is a long list of black men and women who have been killed by the police in the United States including Dominique Clayton, Eric Reason, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery. I’m not American but I kneel with you and support the fight for justice. Black Lives Matter.

Find the full show notes at https://changesbigandsmall.com/35

Join the Changes Big and Small Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/changesbigandsmall1/

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