As an active member of the Harlem community, I was constantly looking for ways to support community wellness. I saw an opportunity to do this when Vivian Kurutz, the Founder of the Harlem Wellness Center, reached out to the community to see if people were interested in planning an event for the National Day of Racial Healing.

I helped move the event planning team’s ideas into action by sharing my conflict resolution and production skills. The team developed a year-long program, including seasonal public art experiences alongside a dialogue series, aimed at increasing racial understanding amongst Harlem community members. It launched on the National Day of Racial Healing, January 19, 2021, with a day-long, socially distanced, self-reflective labyrinth walk in Marcus Garvey Park. While walking the labyrinth alone, participants were invited to reflect on the question, “Harlem + Race: What is Bubbling Up for You?”

50 people visited the labyrinth over the course of the day, reflecting on their race and that of their neighbors, including African American, Asian, Latinx, and White people. In follow-up conversations, some people told me that the launch event made them feel supported enough to explore questions of Race in Harlem. Others mentioned the experience was emotionally impactful.