Essence McDowell - "Lifting As They Climbed" - dr. nick alder

Essence McDowell will discuss Lifting As They Climbed. She will be joined in coversation by dr. nick alder. A Q&A and signing will follow the discussion.

At the Co-op

RSVP HERE (Please note that your RSVP is requested but not required.)

About the Book: Geographically, historically, and politically, Lifting As They Climbed gives readers an in-depth understanding of the numerous Black women, from the nineteenth century to today, who empower(ed) their neighborhoods and communities. Lifting As They Climbed showcases seventy-eight women—activists, artists, musicians, and more—through sites and landmarks on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Including Margaret Burroughs, Gwendolyn Brooks, Mahalia Jackson, and many others, this book is a testament to women whose stories have gone largely untold, and whose lives reveal powerful connections between their endeavors and present-day struggles for radical community-building and solidarity. With no “official” landmarks to preserve the history of their social justice efforts, this book is an intervention against their erasure.

About the Author: Essence McDowell is a writer, communications strategist and creative director. She utilizes community engagement, digital design, and communication technologies to strengthen community institutions, and advance justice-based organizations. She has worked with national and local entities: Illinois Humanities Council, Chicago Torture Justice Memorials, Latino Policy Form, Black Feminist Future, and Chicago Public Schools. Essence is the former director of arts and communications at the Social Justice Initiative, where she co-founded the Chicago Justice gallery and created over 50 public programs, community events, and symposia. Essence is also an arts leader who has developed numerous exhibitions including 2019 Black Chicago Resists, 2020 Belonging: Place, Power and Impossibilities, and the 2023 Climates of Inequality: Stories of Environmental Justice which is currently open to the public in Chicago. With a vision of centering the power and expertise of Black women and girls, she has ventured into filmmaking. As she celebrates the publication of the new Lifting As They Climbed guidebook, she has also unveiled her debut documentary film, Invisible Giants.

About the Interlocutor: dr. nick alder, ph.d., (they/themme/theirs) is a creative co-conspirator, healing + liberation spacemaker + community designer making healing and liberation irresistible. their work nurtures the creative spirit + crafts ecosystems of care, + possibility. they are guided by the words of Audre Lorde, “without community, there is no liberation."