Future
Artist-in-Residence
The Artist-in-Residence program at Grace Downtown Church was created as an opportunity for our church to:
1. engage the arts
2. experience God’s beauty
3. bridge outside the church
4. support an artist
The artists of various disciplines are invited either from within or outside of our congregation to serve as the Artist-in-Residence who:
connects with their own artistic interests and desires to express themselves more fully
connects with our church community through the arts
connects with those beyond our church who consider themselves irreligious or who practice other faiths.
The residency includes learning about the city of DC and/or creating and sharing art that would engage DC residents.
Teaching Capital Fellows “Leadership, Vocation & Society” Class
“Using Creativity to Process & Heal from Trauma”
This workshop is an opportunity to identify a painful physical, emotional, mental, cultural, or spiritual experience one has encountered and to move through healing steps of creative expression. Participants of all experience levels are encouraged to bring artistic tools of their choice, such as writing/drawing utensils, blank pages, musical instruments, Play-Doh/clay, etc. for the meaningful creative segment.
(Annual Workshop. Last: Nov 14, 2022)
Grace Meridian Hill Worship Service
Presenting my “Warrior Songbirds” spoken word poem.
“Warrior Songbirds” is about liberation from slavery, resilience of Black folk through trials of oppression, and divine deliverance. This story features lyrics from Negro Spirituals which were the cries of faith that helped to fortify Black folk who sang as they fought for their freedom and dignified treatment throughout history.
MLK Memorial Service
Having left an indelible legacy, today we will celebrate and reflect on the life and contributions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. born January 15, 1929. We will worship, hear spoken word and other poems, and reflect on Rev. Dr. King Jr.'s imprint on the world.
My spoken word poem: “Where Harmony Lives”
“Voices of Lament” Book Release
Voices of Lament: Reflections on brokenness and hope in a world longing for justice
In 2020, I began working on a book with Women of Color from sundry tribes and nations around the world.
This collection of essays, liturgies, and poems mines the depths of Psalm 37.
I wrote the acrostic poem “Alpha and Omega” and co-wrote a poem dedicated to young Generation Z girls.
Visit the Voices of Lament book website to learn more, to purchase your copy, and to gift a copy to someone you love.
#VoicesofLament #WailingWomen
[Editor: Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)]
"Illuminate" at The Kennedy Center
“Illuminate: Mind, Body, Community”
Activate your imagination with this sensory exploration of healing sound, movement and creative expression.
Imagine yourself as the key to unlock all doors.
The doors that are closed to you, your mind, your body, and your community.
Join us to illuminate a pathway.
You’ll experience soulful movement, song, poetry, and more.
Artists: Mazaré, Ahmane’, Vee Msanii, Jessica Valoris
Friday Aug 26, 5:00-5:45 pm Illuminate Performance // River Pavilion
Friday Aug 26, 6:00-7:00 pm // Illuminate Performance (Part 2) // Millennium Stage // Grand Foyer
We will perform live at two distinct and unique events at 5:00 and 6:00. We invite you to both!
The 5:00 event does not require tickets and will not be livestreamed.
The 6:00 event does require (free) tickets and will also be livestreamed!
Reserve tickets & access link here or on the main Kennedy Center website. Extra tip: Search “Illuminate”
The Gospel Coalition's Women's Conference 2022
Conference Theme: “Remember Your Joy: Salvation Stories in the Old Testament.
This will be my second year speaking at the TGCWC, y’all!
My Two Breakout Panels:
~Creativity, Art, and our Christian Witness~
~People Pleasing: How to Say No~
You can sign up here:
Teaching Capital Fellows “Leadership, Vocation & Society” Class
“Using Creativity to Process & Heal from Trauma”
This workshop is an opportunity to identify a painful physical, emotional, mental, cultural, or spiritual experience one has encountered and to move through healing steps of creative expression. Participants of all experience levels are encouraged to bring artistic tools of their choice, such as writing/drawing utensils, blank pages, musical instruments, Play-Doh/clay, etc. for the meaningful creative segment.
Kennedy Center "Unbound" Ring Shout
Videos from event:
The essence video: 4+ min
One of my solo pieces: "Untangled in Hope" : 3+ min
In collaboration with other local artists, I’ll be performing in a modern-day “Ring Shout,” inspired by the cultural tradition born out of the American slavery era where enslaved Africans sought to hold onto their native traditions and maintain their spiritual connections. Thematic elements of ring shouts include: the past, present & future; hope & despair; story telling; call & response, and seeking God. Our title is “Unbound” and we invite you to explore what being unbound means to you through our performance montage of embodied theatrical expression, singing, soulful movement, poetry, and more. Location: Reach Plaza @ The Kennedy Center. Event page for “Unbound” Ring Shout as a part of The Mumbo Connection.
"3, 2, 1" Spoken Word Poem Filming
“3, 2, 1” is the DC-centric spoken word poem I wrote to inspire communities to endeavor to keep each other safe.
I collaborated with muralist Rosy Sunshine Galvan @rosy.sunshine, who drew inspiration from the poem to create a pavement mural.
Poem & mural commissioned by the DC Department of Transportation.
Worldwide, cities are recognizing that when strategically paired with other traffic safety measures, painted pavement art can help decrease traffic accidents and keep pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone safer.
Collaborators: Rosy Sunshine, Chalk Riot, Pipkin Creative.
You can read the poem “3, 2, 1” here.
You can visit the mural at 14th St & Meridian Place NW, Washington DC.
Nerdacity Podcast
A podcast interview with DuEwa Frazier on the Nerdacity podcast.
I’ll be shooting the poetic breeze, talking about how the pandemic has impacted my creativity, releasing a brand new poem into the sound waves, and more! You can listen to the podcast once it’s released on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.
Nerdacity podcast: Self-care, Women, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Books, Film, News, and more
The Gospel Coalition Women’s Conference 2020 (In year 2021)
“Leveraging Creativity for the Glory of Christ” - Panelist
“J.S. Bach famously signed his compositions with the letters S.D.G.: Soli Deo Gloria, or, Glory to God alone. But how do we create for God’s glory alone? What are the spiritual practices that help guard against self-promotion? Further, how does creativity enhance corporate worship? How does it bridge connection to our irreligious friends and neighbors? In this panel discussion, we’ll begin visioning how human creativity through performance and art does good in the world.”
Institute for Cross-Cultural Mission Retreat
“Where is God in the Natural Disaster?” - Using creative expression to process and heal from trauma
This workshop is an opportunity to identify a painful physical, emotional, mental, cultural, or spiritual experience one has encountered and to move through healing steps of creative expression. Participants of all experience levels are encouraged to bring artistic tools of their choice, such as writing/drawing utensils, blank pages, musical instruments, Play-Doh/clay, etc. for the creative segment.
The Poetic Justice Conference
“Bright Red Bag” - Using creative expression to process and heal from trauma
This workshop is an opportunity to identify a painful physical, emotional, mental, cultural, or spiritual experience one has encountered and to move through healing steps of creative expression. Participants of all experience levels are encouraged to bring artistic tools of their choice, such as writing/drawing utensils, blank pages, musical instruments, Play-Doh/clay, etc. for the brief and meaningful creative segment. [My workshop time: 3:15 pm]
Teaching Capital Fellows “Leadership & Vocation” Class
Lesson #1: Strengths-Based Leadership
Lesson #2: Cultural Empathy
Lesson #3: Women and Ministry
Co-Teaching “Leadership & Discipleship” Course at Reformed Theological Seminary
Lesson #1: Cultural Intelligence
Lesson #2: Cultural Empathy
Lesson #3: Women and Ministry
Lesson #4: Women and Ministry- Part 2