Editor’s Note: This Voices series is an opportunity to learn more about the creators and changemakers in Alabama who are using their talents to make a difference in their community. Today’s Q&A is with The Flourish, a nonprofit organization dedicated to planting the seeds to help young artists bloom.
What inspired the mission behind the founding of The Flourish? What inspired the name?
The Flourish is actually based on a theory the co-founder Jahman Hill coined in his college thesis. The theory, simply called “the Flourish”, is the belief that Black people are infinitely possible beings, and just by us existing, we’re enough. We wanted to create an organization that helped people reach and realize their infinite possibilities through the arts, really discovering how they Flourish and Bloom just by existing and expressing themselves.
Can you discuss the founders? Can you talk more about who is on the team? What are the backgrounds that connect them to this work?
We’re co-founded by best friends Eric Marable, Jr, and Jahman Hill. Both are touring performing artists and arts educators. Jahman serves as the executive director, and Eric is the creative director. The rest of our core team consists of events coordinator Akeyla Chatman, director of media Janavian Young, marketing coordinator Jada Dumas, and administrative assistant De Tubbs. All of our core members are artists in their own right, and our background as Black creatives helps inform our ideology and decision-making.
What programs or resources do you offer to the community? What has been a recent initiative that you are proud of?
We have four major initiatives: The Full Bloom Initiative, which encompasses our arts education services to youth and adults; The Budding Artist Initiative, which encompasses artist development and arts events; our Black Arts District Initiative, which focuses on creating a Black Arts District in downtown Ensley, and our Root 4 Us initiative with a focus on organizational capacity building. We’ve been very proud of our new space, the Greenhouse, in downtown Ensley. The space touches all four of our initiatives as we host numerous community events, offer learning opportunities, and build towards changing the narrative surrounding Ensley and what the neighborhood can be.
What impact have you seen The Flourish have on your community?
We’ve seen creatives of all ages feel seen and heard. It has been amazing for us to connect with students and help them find purpose, to validate and support local artists as they develop their craft, and create a space where artists from around the city feel they can come and Flourish.
Can you share a specific project or initiative that your organization has undertaken to address a particular social justice issue, and what outcomes were achieved?
Recently, we have partnered with the Justice for Lakeith Smith campaign to raise awareness for Lakeith Smith, a Black boy from Alabama who was charged with felony murder at the age of 15 after police killed his friend. We worked with the campaign to host an open mic where students of Birmingham wrote poetry about Lakeith’s case and met with his mother, BronTina Smith. This spring, we’ve been working with two more schools to create hip-hop songs about Lakeith’s case, this time having students meet with BronTina and Lakeith’s lawyer, Leroy Maxwell. We’re proud that our students have been a part of raising awareness for Lakeith’s case, and we’re all awaiting Lakeith’s March 21st resentencing hearing.
How has your organization responded to the current political and social climate, and what role do you believe art plays in promoting social change?
We believe strongly in artivism, and we believe art can be used to directly challenge systemic inequalities. Oppression is an attempt to take our voices, while art is an attempt to not only use our voices but use them freely and creatively, to speak truth to power. The Flourish, as an organization, works with youth and adults alike to help them find their voice, realize self-worth,
and educate people on how they can use their voice effectively, from the recording booth to the voting booth. Art and activism have always been linked, and we hope to continue to cultivate and encourage people to recognize the power they have in creating.
How do you prioritize diversity and inclusion in your organization, and what steps have you taken to ensure that marginalized voices are heard and represented?
Our organization actively seeks to empower BIPOC individuals, starting with Black folk. We believe that Blackness is inclusive, and we cannot truly aim to empower Black folk without inclusivity. That being said, we often seek to collaborate with other organizations that work to uplift marginalized communities. Our organization is a reflection of our community and the people we serve because we live in and come from that community.
Why is it so imperative that we support youth artists in Birmingham and in Alabama?
They’re our future. Simply put. Birmingham and Alabama in general cannot continue to grow and become if the dreamers aren’t given the space and support to imagine what we can be.
What are the three best ways for someone to support your work?
- Financial support: Donating via theflourishal.com/donate.
- Communal support: Coming out to Flourish events, which can be found on our Facebook and Instagram @theflourishalabama.
- Network support: Tell your friends, people in your family, business owners, and artists about us. Encourage them to reach out and collaborate. We want to expand our network and grow through collaboration.
What’s next for the Flourish?
May 22nd-25th, we’ll be showcasing students from across the county with our 3rd annual Flourish Fest in partnership with Sidewalk Film Center. There will be visual arts exhibits, film festivals, and more. This summer, we’ll be launching our Full Bloom Summer Academy for Birmingham high school schoolers, a 6-week arts education intensive focused on creative writing, music production, and visual arts.
Help The Flourish bloom by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and on their website. Subscribe to our newsletters and get our stories delivered directly to your inbox.
