Write for Change, and the Serendipity that Follows

Shelley knew what he was on about when he said "Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world." He's been saying the same thing writers have known since the first cave man started dreaming in symbols on the cave walls: writing changes the world. If not the whole world, then one world at a time. Suddenly, you have the words to describe every detail: who you are, what you look like, how you feel, and everything you're experiencing, right down to the pebble stuck in your sneaker that's been stabbing you in the heel all afternoon. Writing is an act of liberation. Set the words free, crack the world open wide, and see how everything changes.

This is what we believe in at Floodmark, what we're passionate about: helping the full power of the written word find its way into the hands of a creative community who cares. And you know what? Good things come when you follow your passion. It's not always easy, and passion demands you put in the hours, but somewhere along that road serendipity is waiting for you to unknowingly walk into its embrace. Hence, the beauty in this wild universe. 

So, when I was offered the opportunity to lead a creative writing workshop on identity at Q-Cafe for the LGBTQIAP+ community at Loyola University, I realized it was time to start practicing what I preach. From there, the SDMA department at Loyola was kind enough to invite me to present at their Q-Summit in April following my first presentation. Just like that Floodmark had a whole other avenue of getting our message out into the world -- to hopefully change it. Serendipity. 

We're presenting at Loyola's Q Summit today to discuss creative discovery and identity through poetry! They're giving out awesome buttons -- "Ask Me About My Pronouns". Just goes to show how much the way we name things impacts our perception -- language can change the world, folks. #bethechange #askmeaboutmypronouns #lgbtqia #writerslife #writingcommunity #writingblog #beinspired #npm2016 #npm16 #poetrymonth #nationalpoetrymonth #nationalpoetrymonth2016 #poetrycommunity #poetrygram #poetryofig #writersofig #loyolachicago #qsummit #writeitdown #creativewriting #lecturer #lucqsummit

A photo posted by Floodmark (@floodmark.poetry) on Apr 9, 2016 at 7:44am PDT

And it doesn't stop there, folks. At  Q-Summit, it was my pleasure to make the acquaintance of Vanessa Sheridan, the director of Trans Relations and Community Engagement at the Center on Halsted in Chicago, an authoress of three books on gender identity and transgender issues in the workplace and beyond, and one of the most inspirational, warm, passionate people I have ever had the fortune to meet. The Center on Halsted is the third largest LGBTQ+ community center in the country, behind NYC and LA. Vanessa and I had kept up our correspondence since Q-Summit, and recently she offered to give Floodmark a tour of the Center. To say it was a lovely afternoon would be an understatement. We learned a ton about the incredible work the Center is doing in Chicago, a lot about the remarkable work Vanessa is doing, took a stroll in the sunshine, and shared some great conversation.

(source)

I'll let Rukmini take it from here. She sums up our experience and  our takeaway as Editors at Floodmark perfectly:


I was especially excited to visit after seeing Phillip Dawkins' play, Charm, last year. Charm tells the story of an etiquette class run by Mama Darleena Andrews at a community center known as The Center. It's based on "Mama" Gloria Allen's real-life charm school at the Center on Halsted. I don't cry easily while reading books or watching theatre (movies are another story, I will often bawl while watching them), but I cried a lot while watching Charm. The reason I cried so much was because Charm told the story of a community--a fragile, often dysfunctional community, but a community nonetheless. And that's what stayed with me most about our visit to the Center. No longer fragile, certainly not dysfunctional, it provides a community for so many people--from the 70+ LGBTQ+ seniors who live in the apartment block we visited to everyone who uses the space and participates in the seemingly unlimited variety of programs it offers. Vanessa explained the architecture to us, saying that all the glass walls and windows serve not just to let in natural light, but as a symbol for a community that no longer has to hide in attics and behind closed doors. Just like the Center, we at Floodmark, and as citizens of the world, need to provide more spaces filled with light, openness and acceptance.


And that's precisely what we aim to do here at Floodmark: open the shades and let the light of inspiration stream through the windows. I hope our little creative community, growing larger with every post, can bask in the warmth with us.

And who knows what's next? Surely, you'll see more of us giving back to our community and finding ways our message can help make our corner of the world a little brighter, a little better.

As always, much, much more to come.

For more information about the Center on Halsted and the services it provides the community, you can visit their website. Our sincerest and most profound thanks to Dominique Petrassi and the Loyola SDMA Department, who gave us the inspiration and opportunity to find our way to make a difference in the LGBTQIP+ community, and to Vanessa Sheridan for her beautiful friendship, passionate soul, and commitment to making a difference for all in the LGBTQIAP+ community. 

&