Release Day with Chicago Creatives

April’s Theme is Procrastinate The things that we perpetually push to tomorrow’s to-do list can become a mental weight. Even though we know the welcome relief that will wash over us when that thing we’re avoiding is complete, still, we delay, just a little while longer. Procrastination can be a sort of art form: the art of deferred action. It’s a technique that’s got a bad reputation, one often tinged with shame. But it can also be a way to claim the ways you wish to your time. It harbors creative possibilities, too. In that game of waiting-waiting-waiting until it’s almost too late but not quite, a coiled spring of potential energy hides, ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice. Narrowing a timeline can be a fruitful creative constraint, an exercise in trusting the unknown. When a window of opportunity shrinks, improvisation and spontaneity might unfurl like a flower in a time-lapse video blooming at super speed, a confetti cannon of petals bursting in full color. Our Turin chapter chose this month’s exploration of Procrastinate and Elisa Talentino illustrated it.

March’s Theme is Ripple

Everything you do has the power to create its own ripple effect. Like an object breaking the water’s surface, our actions can cause a series of ever-expanding waves of impact stretching far beyond our individual reach. Whether we theorize it with dominos, snowballs, or butterflies – it’s about momentum, and as momentum builds, even the smallest actions can end up having a profound impact.

One voice can inspire a movement, a single act of kindness can save a life. No matter how minuscule it may seem in the moment, what you do matters.

This month, we invite you to pay attention to your personal ripple effect. To examine how your impact expands beyond your inner circle and find ways to pay positivity forward. If you’re feeling brave, this month can be a time to explore the depths of your world. Dare to plunge below the surface and invite deeper connection in. Our Tel Aviv chapter chose this month’s exploration of Ripple and Masha Manapov illustrated it.

On Friday, Chris Mosier shared his inspiring journey redefining the boundaries of athletics for trans folks! ⚡️

While many of us were just finishing our coffee on Friday, Chris Mosier had already ridden 9 miles on a bike. ⚡️ He gave his talk from the Edge Athlete Lounge - a place that served as a safe haven for him as a young athlete learning to be comfortable in his own body. He’s used to blazing trails - as an athlete, a coach, and one of the leading voices in inclusive policies in athletics through his platform, transathlete.com. Chris is a six-time member of Team USA, and was the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympic trials in the gender in which they identify. Before that, he was the first transgender athlete to make the men’s US National team. But through it all, Chris said the thing that contributed to his success was feeling like himself. Chris says he feels most like himself while sweating - pushing his body to its limits. And that’s what his talk was really about: the journey of becoming himself. Through his times as the school mascot in college, to all the moments he hid himself from loved ones, his coming out of hiding ultimately freed him. His motto?

“Be who you needed when you were younger.”

As a respected thought leader in inclusive athletics, Chris had a lot to share about how we can be better allies to young trans athletes:

     🌈 Use pronouns and recognize others’ pronouns.

     🌈 Small comments make a difference - especially when talking to kids.

     🌈 Push lawmakers for more inclusive policies. Take Action Here.

February’s Theme is Divergent Technologist, author, and designer John Maeda explains, “A divergent thinker takes an idea and expands it. They look for new ways to connect it with other diverse things […] I’m in favor of a synthesis to connect the convergent and divergent.” As creators, builders, and thinkers, how can we get better at solving complex problems? A promising starting point is for us to be in the same spaces with those we’ve traditionally deemed different. Moments of divergence can create beautiful futures when we are willing to leave space for change. Take a step back to reflect on what winds of change you want to welcome into your life today. Our Valencia chapter chose this month’s exploration of Divergent and Núria Tamarit illustrated it. It is presented Globally by Basecamp and HEY

On Friday January 29, Englewood artist Tonika Johnson shared the vision behind her project, Folded Map!

On Friday, we talked about grocery stores. Yep, you read it right! Visual artist and photographer Tonika Johnson has a creative knack for sparking important conversations. She got us thinking about segregation in Chicago with the Folded Map pledge:

I, [insert name here] promise to visit a grocery store in a neighborhood different than my own.

Johnson is a visual artist and photographer, and also a co-founder of R.A.G.E. and Englewood Arts Collective. Her art and active role in her community is what earned her a spot as a 2017 “Chicagoan of the Year”.

The grocery store pledge came as part of her talk about Folded Map - Johnson’s renowned multi-media project which explores the differences of Chicago neighborhoods (she pointed out: it’s America’s #1 most segregated city). Folded Map brings together “Map Twins” - folks living on the same street on different sides of the city - to meet each other and talk about real estate, economics and stories of their neighborhoods. She asks her participants questions like:

• Why did you come to your neighborhood?    
• What’s missing in your neighborhood?    
• Is your place of peace in your neighborhood or somewhere else?    
• How much do you pay to live in your neighborhood?
  

She starts these conversations through everyday actions (like groceries!). Her goal is to foster intentional and introspective real-world experiences of different neighborhoods. It’s an idea sparked from her own high school commute, which started at 5:45am and took her thirteen miles north on the bus every morning. The project is personal, profound and action-based. It’s no surprise it’s been featured in museums and publications across the city. Tonika has big plans to expand the project to more cities. We had guests hailing from other cities like Indianapolis, Milwaukee and LA - all curious to meet their own “Map Twin”. Wanna find yours?

Download the Folded Map Action Kit and learn how to find yours in any city!

CMChi encourages everyone to take the Folded Map Pledge and share it to social media. #CMPromise #CMCHI #FoldedMap Learn more about Folded Map website, and sign up for updates on the project.

Alina Celeste Hevia is an educator and fellow at the Jubilation Foundation and musician and creator at gocreativeprograms.com. Her talk was about children and how they learn about their human connection to the world around us through animals and plants. She also brought her ukulele and a little music moment to our morning with a song called “If I Had A Rooster”.

Britt Hankins is a Logan Square resident and an SEO analyst at VMLY&R, and she shared what she’s been doing to bring nature into her orbit during quarantine. Through her talk about the little ways to find nature in your day and space, she helped us reframe what “connecting with nature” can mean. Her top tips: fresh air, plants, pets, and biking!

Ozzy Gámez is a plant extraordinaire and a co-founder of The Plant Shop on Elston. He talked about how his passion for plants developed in his home country of Belize and how he brought that influence to Chicago - and we’re so grateful he did! We learned of the therapeutic effects of plants, and the way they shaped his life growing up alongside clear waterfalls, lush leaves, and his grandfather’s farm. He also brought a few do’s and dont’s on raising plants. With Ozzy’s help, Chicago will soon become a jungle of houseplants!

• DO give them quality sunlight, let them breathe, learn about their home climates and find the right spot in your home for them.
• DON’T over-pot, over-water, or put them through too many changes.

A promise is doing something “because I said I would.” Promises can come in all shades, depths, and forms: appointments, acts of kindness, creating and quitting habits, agreements, and resolutions. Thanks to life’s unpredictability, we make and break them all the time. But what is the value and impact of being individuals of our word? In the Albanian culture, the word “Besa” means a code of honor and faithfulness. It exceeds the meaning of merely keeping a promise, thus becoming mythologized in its divinity as a solemn oath. Promises that are made and kept are exchanges of power We invite you to make and keep one promise to yourself and one promise to others this year. When applied towards positive impact, even the smallest fulfilled promises can create meaningful ripples of change. Our Tirana chapter chose this month’s exploration of Promise and the talented Jolin Matraku illustrated the theme.

December’s Theme is Biophilia Appreciate living things.
Commune with nature.
Bring the outdoors in.
Coined in the 1960s by Erich Fromm, “biophilia” refers to a beautiful idea: Whether it’s a human, an animal, a plant, or in the wild, humans have an innate desire and instinct to want to connect with nature and other living systems. The increasing hum of busy neighborhoods and cities, heavy traffic, and superficial reading on our devices can numb our natural senses. However, even in the most urban environments, we express our biophilia by placing a newly potted plant in the corner or allowing greenery to grow organically up concrete walls. Every day, we have the opportunity to grow into relentless stewards and protectors of our living environments, and not just lovers and beneficiaries of it all. Together, we exist. CreativeMornings speaker Missy Singer DuMars aptly said, “The nature around us is the nature within us.” Our Düsseldorf chapter chose this month’s exploration of Biophilia, Lara Paulussen illustrated the theme, and our new Global Partner Skillshare is presenting the theme globally!

When we embrace radical ideas for positive change, we must be willing to reconstruct what we see and act otherwise. Better doors and realities can only open when we collectively start to move differently. “In the space of ‘ideas’ is where we can radically change systems,” explains artist and cultural organizer Favianna Rodriguez. “And that is, how do we completely re-envision our society?” Being radical can also be as simple as exercising a new level of hospitality and generosity. Entrepreneur and activist Tanya Torp shares, “It’s radical when you let other people lead, and you get out of the way. I define radical hospitality as ‘transformational connections through welcome.“ This month, we encourage you to quiet your mind and think about a few areas you’re willing to shake things up. Together, let’s create more radically profound, kind, and welcoming rooms. Our San Diego chapter chose this month’s exploration of Radical and Maheswari Janarthanan illustrated the theme. Mailchimp is presenting the theme globally! 

“Community is not bound by physical space..”

On Friday, CM/Chi partnered with chapters in Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Toronto to come together and speak to this month’s theme of Transit, chosen by CM/Cle. Dubbed CM/Great Lakes, it was a morning of poetry, music, art, and thoughtful conversation with dynamic speakers, proving the community is not bound by physical space. 

Attendees heard a stirring poem by Julio Montalvo Valentin and a song by Jan & Greg Thompson of The Human-Kind Quest, written especially for the CM/Great Lakes event, celebrating and referencing the beauty of the Great Lakes Region.

Dr. Chris Bobko shared his thoughts on hyperloop technology, introduced by Elon Musk. With his team at Hyperloop TT, he is focusing on bringing this new mode of transportation to life. “We can shrink distance measured by time… Techonolgy can help bridge the gap.” Chris shared how hyperloop technology can completely re-imaging the passenger experience, eliminating travel delays we see today journeying by car, airplane, railroad. The Midwest region is the perfect testing ground for hyperloop technology after the Great Lakes Feasibility Study showed current modes of transportation are outdated and inefficient. This technology would introduce high speed rail with point-to-point travel and would be environmentally friendly. 

Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner for the City of Toronto, spoke with passion on her belief that now is the time to engage in city building and take ownership of our shared future. “We should use transit as a tool to evaluate what we are doing… in our best moments we need to make sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.” Drawing from the documentary, The Social Dilemma, Jennifer said it influenced her to be aware that something invented for positive impact and use can turn into disastrous catalysts of division. She encouraged the audience to stand your ground and do what you can for your own community and be an advocate, especially in this time of pandemic. “Governance, inclusion, and human lives… make sure all voices are heard.” 

Musician Ernie Adams, an international touring drummer and professor, shared that his life and career are always in transit. “I am in constant transit…constantly moving, even as an infant.” Constantly surrounded by music, thanks to his father, Ernie got his first musical gig at age 15 and immediately found his calling. “[Music] gave me new opportunities and musical connections… and I felt like I started to belong.” For Ernie, transit also meant travel, locally and internationally, touring with some of the biggest names in music. He encouraged the audience, “When it is safe to do so, travel and explore. Get lost. See different parts of the world, as we explore, we also explore ourselves. Embrace those differences.” He closed by encouraging the audience to stay grateful and inspired. 

Digital Illustrator Kiyomi Negi-Tran (@letskeepdrawing) created beautiful live sketches as Dr. Chris Bobko, Jennifer Keesmaat, and Ernie Adams spoke to our audience.

We would like to thank EVERYONE who made this inaugural event possible:

1. Deaf Access Services for providing ASL interpretation for this event. 
2. The Great Lakes CM Chapters and their AMAZING hosts: Kelly Atkinson (CM/Buf), Marlene Paez Dukes (CM/Chi), Thomas Fox (CM/Cle), Anne Marie Sumner (CM/Det), Emily Scholl (CM/GR), Paul Oemig (CM/Mke), Mar Reyes and Ivan Wanis Ruiz (CM/To)
3. Our amazing speakers: Dr. Chris Bobko, Jennifer Keesmaat, and Ernie Adams
4. Michelle O’Sullivan and the team at Trope for allowing CM/Chi to utilize the beautiful gallery space located in the Wildman Boiler & Tank Co. building on Chicago’s West Side.
5. All of our incredible sponsors!