care-centric
guidance
What care-centric guidance can you offer the world to (re)shape our ways of being, relating, and making?
The language of being a care-centric “guide” came through when engaging with the Social Change Ecosystem Framework by Deeper Iyer. My role as a guide grew from organizing local experiences with peers as a Black girl in Virginia, my mentorship with artists and designers navigating the field, my lived experience as someone creating from a disabled body, and my stewardship in weaving more care within design and movement spaces.
When I say “care” I mean being actively concerned about the wellbeing, safety, and breath of others, and the refusal to abandon ourselves and each other.
It’s through this living definition I’m learning that when we take the same rigor with our care—as we demonstrate in our creative practice and movement work—we can build the practices and worlds that will also care for us.
This truth is carried forward within the various aspects of my approach to being a care-centric guide as I stay committed to sharing what I’ve learned, move with humility and curiosity, and choose collaboration (instead of expert energy) so folks can also listen for—and trust—their own ideas and answers.
guidance
Creative lives, programs, and projects I've contributed to as a care-centric guide to support the manifestation of new trajectories, desired futures, and communities of practice.
FACILITATION
ADVISING & GUIDING
working with
groups
When working with groups—cohorts of students, organizations, networks, movements—I focus my interest and energies on communities who want to build cultures and systems of care into their collaborative ways of relating and making.
Over the years, this has looked like designing and facilitating sessions to tend to specific needs or desires, advising design and research projects, guiding structures and processes, offering feedback on the conceptualization and development of projects, and teaching community courses.
MENTORSHIP
GUIDING & SUPPORTING
working with
individuals
As I revisit the intimate process of working with individuals, I’m particularly interested in building a relationship with people who want to weave the tender power of care into their creative life and daily practice.
In the past, I’ve focused sessions with folks longing to locate and communicate their life’s work. I’m now offering longer journeys for ongoing guidance where we can go deep on a specific project or world you’re designing into existence—with care.
I really loved how she skillfully facilitated a discussion in which we were able to come up with our own solutions with a focus on actually designing a life that facilitates healing.
I left intrigued by this thought and inspired. Often we look for answers outside of ourselves and her session was a reminder that often the answers we seek are within. Even so, people like her are needed to help others come to that realization. Denise Shanté was very authentic, calming, a great listener and sought to meet us where we were.
— Kelly, Session Participant