International Women’s Day 2023: Embrace Equity

Saturday, March 11th, 11AM – 12:30PM
In-person at Heaven Gallery
Free event, register to attend on Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embrace-equity-international-womens-day-symposium-2023-tickets-554438028067

Speakers: Tonika Johnson, Onyx Montes, Alma Wieser, Janell Nelson
⁠
Heaven Gallery and Equity Arts are excited celebrate four women change-makers that embody equity in their practices – this group includes artists, activists, and community leaders paving the way for social change. This year’s theme, Embrace Equity aims to elevate the conversation as to why equal opportunities are no longer enough. It is critical to understand the difference between equality and equity, and how it is an integral part of the future we envision. ⁠
⁠
The goal of this event is to inspire people to take on new initiatives while raising awareness and celebrating the achievements of our speakers. Collectively, we can all help create a more gender-inclusive and equitable world.⁠

_________

Tonika Johnson (@tonikaj) is a photographer, social justice artist and life-long resident of Chicago’s South Side neighborhood of Englewood. She is also co-founder of the Englewood Arts Collective and Resident Association of Greater Englewood, which seek to reframe the narrative of South Side communities, and mobilize people and resources for positive change. Tonika’s art often explores urban segregation, documenting the nuance and richness of the black community to counter media depictions of Chicago’s violence. ⁠
⁠
Onyx Montes (@onyxmontes) is a museum worker, social media manager, and pay transparency advocate based in Chicago. Onyx moved by herself to the U.S. from Mexico, at the age of 17 and studied art history at the University of Washington in Seattle. She’s the first person in her family to graduate from college. She has a Masters degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Museum and Exhibition Studies program, and is part of the inaugural Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Fellowship of Americans For The Arts and part of the 2022 NALAC Leadership Institute.⁠
⁠
Alma Wieser (@equityarts) has been the director of Heaven Gallery, the oldest art gallery in Wicker Park. Since joining the organization, she has expanded its capacity by introducing an innovative revenue stream in the gallery to sustain programming and reach a wider audience. Most recently, Alma has focused her efforts on Equity Arts, a development project that seeks to create a model for arts & culture preservation in gentrified neighborhoods. This work is an intersection of art, entrepreneurship and real-estate development that sees the power of the creative economy as a social good multiplier.⁠
⁠
Janell Nelson (@jnj_creative_), executive director and creative project manager, she is a graphic designer that wears many hats. A creative force who devotes her talent, skill and heart toward enacting equitable change, her mission is to “design for good”. ⁠
⁠
Coffee and pastries will be served.

Official Website

More events on this date

Tags: Alma Wieser, Chicago, Embrace Equity: International Women's Day Symposium 2023, Janell Nelson, Onyx Montes, Tonika Johnson, West Town