LiveRANT Resilient Heart Panel Discussion
“Crumbling Climate: Navigating the Quiet Terror of Earth Destabilization”
May 19, 1 – 3 pm

Free and open to the public. RSVP recommended

Join us for the first discussion on May 19th featuring thought leaders across the arts, humanities, and social sciences, the LiveRANT Resilient Heart discussion series aims to amplify the ways humanity leans into its ability to survive unprecedented eco-social disruption through emergent, empathetic response while providing safe and brace design space for the exploration of the threats to our resilience. Featured speakers include Erika Allen, Urban Growers’ Collective; community activist Brandi Mack; Anthena Gore, Elevate Energy; and Dr. Kim Ruffin, Roosevelt University moderated by MINDFULRANT, LLC founder Toni Anderson.

A production of MINDFULRANT, LLC, a transformational, action-based curation and change strategy initiative, MindfulRANT examines the through-lines of oppressive narratives that stymy the imagination, freezing intelligent feeling and nuanced thought. Multidimensional resilience emerged as praxis to simultaneously soften and strengthen humanity’s heart as an evolutionary response to provoke collaborative trust practice with the goal of thriving lovingly and courageously in the face of global destabilization, eco-social, and systemic shifts.

Erika Allen is the Co-Founder and CEO for Urban Growers Collective, President of Green ERA Educational NFP, and Co-Owner of Green Era Sustainability Partners. Her work exemplifies a strong commitment to sustainability with her dedication to the eradication of environmental injustice and promotion of regenerative, urban agriculture within Chicago. Her commitment to the public sector through the promotion of sustainable agriculture, forging economic opportunities for low-income individuals and creating access to healthy food has made a strong and considerable impact. Erika has dedicated her professional career to public service, developing sustainable community food systems, and addressing structural racism and its inherent barriers to justice.

Previously, Allen founded and was the Director of Growing Power – Chicago for 15 years from 2002 to 2017, and was a Chicago Park District Commissioner from 2012 to 2018. She is the Co-Founder of the Chicago Food Policy Action Council, serves on the Board of Grow Greater Englewood and Leadership Council for Growing Home, and is an Advisor and Stewart for the Community Food Navigator project. Allen has been appointed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (ICAE) for a 3 Year term (2022-2024) and was selected in 2022 by the Biden Administration to join the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee for Illinois. Allen holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her MA in Art Psychotherapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago in December 2022.

Anthena Gore is a social design researcher and impact strategist using systemic design and agile management practices to address the intersection of cultural and environmental complexity. She has a decade of experience in managing strategic projects and partnerships to advance inclusive climate action and social equity. Anthena believes there are always opportunities for innovation where there is clear and organized intent, diverse perspectives, and operational efficiency.

As a Living Systems thought leader, Brandi Mack, offers a shining example of learning from nature. Brandi embodies a mission of “rebuilding soil” in all she does as a community activist, restorative justice leader, holistic health educator, birth consultant, master gardener, and permaculture designer. Brandi Mack aka Mama B is a mother of 3 Melanated Magical daughters, a spoken word poet, and round song singer. Rooted in California from Oakland to the Sierra Foothills, Brandi is excited to work with communities to re-imagine a world that works for everyone, especially the Mamas!

Dr. Kim Ruffin is an Associate Professor of English at Roosevelt University and a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide working in the Chicagoland area. She hopes to meet you while birding with the Chicago Audubon Society. Through her company, Cardinal Encounters, she celebrates the joys of life on Earth. She fell in love with the outdoors climbing trees, playing on dirt mounds, and riding bicycles off homemade ramps in flip-flops. Inspired by her family’s legacy of nature stewardship, she became an educator and author. A desire to open more doors for nature connection led her to become a Guide. She is excited about inviting people to encounter other forms of nature and each other.

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