Art Equity
THE PROMOTION
OF DIVERSE ARTISTS
IS ESSENTIAL.
It fosters more inclusive communities by enriching the diversity of our cultural landscape and challenging dominant narratives and stereotypes. Additionally, it has the positive collateral impact of allowing those often unseen to see accurate reflections of their life experiences, aiding collective healing.
REPRESENTATION, CULTURAL DIVERSITY,
& SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Justbeing
Art Expo
OUR EXPERIENCES MUST BE REPRESENTED AND MADE VISIBLE.
Our art expos provide a platform for artists of color to showcase their work, tell and celebrate our stories, gain exposure in the art world, and counteract the erasure and underrepresentation of our communities.
The Justbeing Art Expo will increase exposure for artists of color within the art world and contribute to their economic equity. We will elevate these artists by providing them with a platform to display their works and actively participate in the Expo’s events and discussions.
Up to 12 Art Fellows will be selected as the inaugural class. Each fellow will receive a stipend to cover the cost of travel to Washington, D.C., installation of their art, and participation in the Expo. Additionally, the fellows can sell their art without incurring administrative or gallery fees. This initiative will foster the economic sustainability of artists, allowing them to benefit fully from their creative work.
U.S. museums have historically undervalued the works and leadership of Black and LatinX artists. The mainstream art world's tendency to prioritize White male artists has resulted in galleries being often unwilling to represent Black and LatinX artists. This leads to their underrepresentation in major art fairs, and their works usually command lower prices at auctions. When included, their works are frequently relegated to specialized shows focused on race and ethnicity rather than being integrated into larger, mainstream exhibitions. Additionally, Black and LatinX professionals are underrepresented in museum leadership positions and curatorial and conservation roles. This underrepresentation perpetuates lower acquisition rates and reduced investment in the works of Black and LatinX artists.
Justbeing Inc. is committed to tackling these systemic barriers by providing spaces for Black art to thrive and advocating for greater diversity and inclusion in museums and galleries.
ART CAN BE A POWERFUL
TOOL OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.
We provide a platform for artists to address issues of racism and intersectional oppression in their works. We work to amplify their messages and engage our communities in the pursuit of collective freedom.
Mental Health
Mental health is a complex issue.
People of color face a range of systemic barriers to care, including financial hardship, lack of insurance, limited access to care, substandard quality of care, and poor outcomes. There is also a shortage of culturally competent providers and pervasive cultural stigmas. Despite experiencing higher rates of mental health concerns, people of color are less likely to receive mental health treatment than white adults.
Even when significant psychological distress is reported, the care provided is often of lower quality, and suicide is the third leading cause of death for Black men aged 18-25. Additionally, people of color have high rates of being uninsured, and those with health insurance often find that mental health services are not covered or come with expensive co-pays or deductibles.
Justbeing addresses these issues by subsidizing costs and covering mental health expenses. We are also working on a pilot initiative to train social justice counselors through a certification program for therapists interested in bridging the gap in care.
ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTHCARE IS INTEGRAL TO THE RACIAL EQUITY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.
Equitable Access &
Addressing Disparities
Justbeing Inc. addresses these disparities by providing supplemental mental healthcare coverage for the underinsured and uninsured. We aim to offer equitable access and culturally competent healthcare services so everyone receives the necessary care. Doing so can create more equitable health outcomes in our community and pave the way for a healthier, more inclusive future.
As of January 2024, we have provided $78,050 to subsidize or cover mental health care. We have supported individuals residing in DC, MD, and VA.
HEALING IS
SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Wellness Initiatives
CREATING SPACES TO JUST BE.
Due to the systemic inequalities they face, people of color experience higher rates of chronic illnesses, stress, and trauma. Historically, Justbeing Inc. has supported our community through these challenges by providing wellness retreats. These retreats create a nurturing environment where participants can address health disparities and improve their physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Our wellness retreats unite people of color from diverse backgrounds and experiences to foster community and belonging. We provide a healing space for our participants to feel seen, heard, and supported. These retreats focus on mind-body wellness, neurobiology, body regulation, mental health coping skills, psychotherapy, and wellness activities. Supplemented by yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices, we help improve our participants' well-being and capacity to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
Expanding on this foundation, Justbeing is launching new wellness initiatives that include coping strategies, education, and competent, informed care. These initiatives will encompass practices and programs that reflect the diverse communities we serve.
The retreats are a collaborative effort involving private and nonprofit organizations, allowing licensed mental health professionals to facilitate events. This collaboration enables a combination of subsidized care and insurance options and ensures that attendance and events are evidence-based, clinically recognized, and appropriate.
The program consists of semi-annual retreats with cohorts of 6-10 individuals. Our inaugural retreat was held in October 2023. Participants came together with our licensed providers to engage in transformative communal healing practices, grow, and connect with themselves and each other.
Our Wellness retreats allow participants to learn new skills that promote self-care and just being.
References
West, C. (1993). Race Matters. Vintage Books.
Hooks, B. (1990). Yearning: Race, Gender, and Cultural Politics. South End Press.
Museums Association. (2019). “Why Supporting Black Artists Matters.” https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/comment/2019/05/why-supporting-black-artists-matters/
National Endowment for the Arts. (2020). “Black Artists and Black Audiences Matter.” https://www.arts.gov/artworks/2020/black-artists-and-black-audiences-matter
Mental Health America. (2021). “Mental Health in Black Communities.” https://www.mhanational.org/issues/black-communities-and-mental-health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). “Mental Health Disparities: African Americans.” https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/african-americans
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2021). “Diverse Communities.” https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Diverse-Communities
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Black Mental Health Alliance. (2021). “Self-Care and Wellness Resources.” https://black-mentalhealth.com/self-care-and-wellness-resources/
NAMI. (2021). “Diverse Communities.” https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Diverse-Communities
Williams, M. T., Palar, K., & Surace, F. I. (2020). “Addressing Racism: Facilitating Cultural Humility in Clinical Settings.” American Psychologist, 75(1), 51-64. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000481
Franzoi, S. L., & Frost, R. O. (2016). “Self-Care for Mental Health Practitioners: The Importance of Vicarious Practice and Developing a Professional Identity.” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 47(5), 343-350. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000109
Diawara, M. (1998). In Search of Africa. Harvard University Press.