Alternate ROOTS supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in community, place, tradition, or spirit. We are a group of artists, and cultural organizers based in the U.S. South, creating a better world together. As…
Author: Melisa Cardona
40 Magnificent Feet of Visibility: Creative Placemaking in Tampa, Florida
Detail of the mural “Painting Ourselves Visible” mural by Aya Tarek. Photo by Ameena Khan. September 2021 | Nicole Garneau “Painting Ourselves Visible” seeks to celebrate and increase the visibility of Arab, Middle Eastern/North African (MENA), and Muslim…
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE OF “NORMAL:” JAVA, DJEMBES, AND DJELIS
L-R Kam Kelly, LaQuita Marie Staten, workshop participant, and Corey The Talented Blind Guy leading the 757 Unity Drum Circle, June 2020. Photo by Karen Pino. September 2021 | LaQuita Marie Staten What do you get when you…
SOULCENTER’S VISION OF WAYMAKING IN THE SOUTH
SoulCenter participant Ekio with Dr. Shanya Cordis. Photo by SoulCenter Fellowship Alum, Marcus Hughes, The Riff, 2019. September 2021 | Shanya Cordis The vision to create SoulCenter came to Erin Michelle Washington, Founder and lead Waymaker, in successive…
I KNOW YOUR STORY. DO YOU KNOW MINE?
September 2021 | Jennifer Oladipo See members of the Lumbee tribe sitting together: sharing stories; sharing a practice; sharing space; sharing breath. I’ts the first weekend in July 2021: Lumbee homecoming weekend in Pembroke, NC, and it’s one of…
YINGGE AND HIP HOP UNITE
Ancient Chinese and modern-day American social justice heroes come together to defeat universal threats to humankind in the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company’s original piece “Together,” co-choreographed by Kerry Lee (Chinese dance) and AJ Paug (hip hop). Video stills from the…
2021-2022 EXCOMM PROPOSED SLATE
It is our honor to introduce you to the 2021-22 Executive Committee Slate. This slate was chosen through an open nomination process, which brought forth a selection of very qualified nominees that were then vetted by the Executive Committee officers…
2021 UpROOTing OPPRESSION SERIES
2018 ROOTS Week UpROOTing Oppressions. Photo by Melisa Cardona A continuación en español. Welcome to the 2021 model of Alternate ROOTS’ very own organically grown, custom-made anti-racism/anti-oppression workshop series. ROOTS has a long history of anti-racist and anti-oppression…
REGISTER FOR ROOTS WEEK 2021!
A continuación en español. Virtual ROOTS Week 2021 Southern Soil: Collective Liberation in Harmony with the Land Tuesday, August 3-Sunday, August 8, 2021 Register Here! ROOTS is an ever-growing, ever-evolving coalition of people committed to building a just world…
Mel Cardona
MELISA (Mel) CARDONA they/them/theirs & she/her/hers Platforms Whisperer & Visual Story Alchemist [Communications Specialist] melisa@alternateroots.org Mel is a first generation queer Latinx self-taught artivist who grew up between Atlanta, GA and her parents native land of Colombia. They cut their…
Jennifer Williams
JENNIFER WILLIAMS she/her/hers Wordsmith [Communications Coordinator & Wordsmith] jennifer@alternateroots.org Jennifer M. Williams is the Communications Coordinator & Wordsmith at Alternate ROOTS. She is passionate about collaborating with artists and recently served as the Public Programs Manager at the New Orleans…
Ryan Crane
RYAN CRANE they/them/theirs & he/him/his Road Mapper [Executive Assistant] ryan@alternateroots.org Ryan Crane is a black, gender non-conforming, gulf south native, queer, artist, critical thinker, and curator currently residing in Bulbancha. Ryan uses archival, critical theory, philosophy, and various material mediums…
indee mitchell
indee mitchell they/them/theirs & he/him/his Mastress of Cultural Exuberance and Agitation [Cultural Organizing Programs Administrator] indee@alternateroots.org indee mitchell (they/them/theirs, he/him/his) is a New Orleans based performance artist, Queer Black feminist, and cultural worker interested in experimental and community centered work…
Nathalie Nia Faulk
NATHALIE NIA FAULK they/them/theirs & she/her/hers Mistress of Cultural Exuberance and Pleasantries [Cultural Organizing Programs Coordinator] nathalie@alternateroots.org Nathalie Nia (Nate) Faulk (they/them she/her) born in Lafayette, Louisiana and living in New Orleans for the last eight years, is a self…
DeMarcus Akeem Suggs
DeMarcus Akeem Suggs he/him/his Resource Synergist & Resident Hype Man [Development Director] DeMarcus@alternateroots.org DeMarcus Akeem Suggs is a creative synergist with over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit cultural sector. He is a dance artist, educator, and arts administrator…