From weekly newsletters to internal emails, this is a record that includes various communications to my team at IDEAS xLab, our Board of Directors, and our organizational partners, artists, initiative participants, and broader support networks during COVID-19.
For Justice and Change. (6/3/2020)
First, to my Black friends and family, collaborators, community members, artists, activists, warriors… I love you. I am with you. Your liberation is crucial – it is interconnected with my health and wellbeing, and that of our city.
We find ourselves at the intersection of COVID-19, and a rallying cry for justice for the racial terror lynchings of Black community members including Ahmaud Aubery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade, and Chef David McAtee. Our city is at a breaking point as we fight the racism and inequity that has plagued our nation for centuries.
To my White friends, family, and networks – I ask you to consider what it means to take action. We need to be strategic in support of Black leadership so that we are being additive in our efforts, recognizing that the role each of us will play may look different. I’ve seen many of you stepping up already, it makes a difference.
Some actions that either I have taken, or seen others take include:
Coordinating with organizers and standing on the frontlines at a protest as a barrier between law enforcement and Black community members,
Engaging policy makers at the local, state, and federal level so that we can create systemic, lasting change,
Educating ourselves so we can translate information across our networks so that it reaches people and helps to evolve their understanding of what’s happening, with the goal of moving them toward action,
Investing in Black businesses, artists, activities, leaders, politicians,
Helping to bail people out of jail who may have been arrested while protesting,
Providing childcare for people to engage in direct action if being there in person is not possible,
Engaging our family and friends in difficult and uncomfortable conversations,
Leveraging the resources we can access in partnership with Black communities,
Recognizing that Black team members cannot shed what is happening at the door to go to "work as usual." Whether you are in the c-suite or a team leader, consider that the expectations around how/what will be accomplished need to evolve to support their mental/emotional/physical wellbeing,
In a time where polarization and cancel culture drive so much of how we engage, viral videos of murders and one-sided news reporting further divide us, especially online, we have to reconsider what it means to communicate. That is true for me, and for all of us.
Last year, our team at IDEAS xLab formed partnerships with the Frazier Museum, Roots 101 and others in Louisville to create the (Un)Known Project – a two-year initiative launching summer 2020 using art, creativity, public engagement, and experiences to support Louisville’s journey toward racial healing and reconciliation. We knew our city needed it. And now, it has never been more important - and we will have more updates to share in the coming weeks.
As one post shared by my friend Brianna Wright said, “My children and grandchildren will not be protesting for justice of Black lives. This change is going to happen now.”
If you haven't found your role as a participant yet, I challenge you to step up and stay strong in support of our Black community members. I am here as a resource (who continues to learn and evolve each day), as are many across our community.
For justice and change,
Josh Miller
Co-Founder + CEO, IDEAS xLab
Photo: No Justice, No Peace. protest in Louisville, KY June 2020. Photo by Josh Miller
In the shadow of a sundial. (5/28/2020)
The sundial seems like a very fitting image for how I think about time, collaboration, and inclusion right now. It gives a pretty accurate reading based on the location of the sun, but the edge of the shadow is fuzzy. There is a bit of a buffer if you will… one way or another. It could be a few minutes as people login and their audio connects to Zoom. It can be the process of adaptation as different partners take their next step into the virtual realm and your collaboration evolves. And, the space needed for understanding how team members are finding harmony in the chaos, as we move forward together toward a shared goal.
In a recent conversation hosted by the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion network – a group of over 900 CEO signatories dedicated to diversity and inclusion that I joined earlier this year as the 9th CEO from Kentucky, Mary Fairchild, Global Director of Diversity & Inclusion for F5 Networks, Inc. said, “how do we understand that each person is experiencing this differently (working in the middle of a crisis) based on their own situation and circumstances. To add on top of that, how do we continue to push for inclusivity and continue to slow down our decision making just long enough to consider other perspectives, but not too slow that we’re not head of the curve – ahead of what we’re facing here.”
During the same conversation, Sheri Crosby Wheeler, VP of Corporate Responsibility for Mr. Cooper Group acknowledged that it “has been a little bit of a challenge, just making sure that amidst all that’s going on, that we can still have some of that focus… on connections… on belonging… on learning.”
Their responses really resonate for me. The reminder that we have to slow-down just enough to take the macro view into account, while not losing sight of what is immediately in front of us, and the role of connection, belonging, and learning as part of the process and a factor that can impact our health and wellbeing.
As COVID-19 started to impact our work, causing workshops and speaking engagements we had scheduled with corporations that focus on uncovering and inclusion to be canceled, we adapted to virtual, seeing the vital role that creative approaches can play in continuing to support teams and leaders from across sectors as part of our work toward a more just, healthy, and hopeful society.
Just yesterday while talking to a reporter in Zoom, a pet hopped up onto their lap. I’ve had a conference call while a team member gardened, planting vegetables in their backyard. And, had to push a call by 15-minutes because someone’s virtual tele-health appointment was running late. Adaptation, being flexible, and seeking to understand these different circumstances all contribute to how we move forward and show up authentically.
Jean Dolan of Nike participated in our first virtual Showing up 100 workshop in early April. She said, "Not only does the Showing Up 100 Workshop provide an accessible means for self-discovery, it also creates a safe and non-threatening space to learn about and empathize with the experiences of others. No matter what groups we identify with, we all experience the impacts of covering certain aspects of ourselves. The more we take time to listen and be curious - about ourselves and those around us - the more we can support each other to live authentically!"
Today, Jean is our featured guest on IDEAS xLab’s Uncovering: Connection & Inclusion video podcast. I hope you’ll tune in at Noon via LinkedIn Live to learn more about her journey as part of our ongoing series of conversations grounded in curiosity and courage.
With gratitude,
Josh Miller
Photo by Josh Miller, runJMrun May 14, 2020
Creativity and freedom. Leaving your mark. (5/21/2020)
This morning, I stood on Louisville's waterfront park, watching geese floating on the Ohio River alongside park benches half submerged.
As the water rippled along the grassy edges of the park, I read today's leadership meditation from Aspen Institute. Inspired by Jackson Pollock's Number One, 1950 (Lavender Mist), Brianna Curran says, "Movement and passion are often linked closely, but for many of us it can be difficult to integrate movement into our work in an intentional way. Today, embrace movement in your own creative process. In what ways do you feel fully immersed in your passions? How do you bring a spirit of creativity and freedom to that which you’re passionate about? How are you leaving your mark on your work?"
Curran's words can be understood as physical movement, and, as forward progress toward what we individually and collectively seek to achieve. It's been nine weeks since COVID-19 directly and fundamentally shifted how we work, engage, and live. This has been a time that required all of us to evolve what it means to be creative, to be "immersed" in our passions.
In a recent conversation, Hannah Drake and I talked about how we've been busier than ever before. Not "busy" for the sake of being busy. But busy in the sense that storytelling, creativity, and engaging around topics that are meaningful and grounded in culture, have never been more important.
It's also been bitter sweet. We've closed up our office at Story - a decision we made as a team - and are working remotely. More updates on where we'll relocate coming soon. And, our work continues to evolve, as we seek to support and work with partners to leave our mark on the world, even if it's not in the way we initially intended.
With gratitude,
Josh Miller
Photo by Josh Miller, runJMrun May 21, 2020
Rain and COVID-19 can't stop us! Creativity and adaptability triumph. (5/14/2020)
"Be the difference. Speak up!"
That's one of the calls-to-action developed by Meyzeek Middle School students in collaboration with artists and the IDEAS xLab team as part of Our Emotional Wellbeing. The students who are members of the after-school clubs - Justice League and Bates Memorial Kingdom Academy - wanted to focus on bullying in all of its forms. They spent the past year working on the creation of an iMovie called "It's All Bullying: A-War-On-Us."
COVID-19 hit right before filming of the movie was completed. But that didn't stop the students from continuing to collaborate virtually. Zaxton Rothberg (in the center of the photo above) who filmed the movie has been working virtually with Kyle Gordon (a Louisville-based videographer) to edit the existing footage. They've collaborated with Zaxton's peers to work through scripting and other challenges. One hurdle that we had to tackle together - footage of the final scene didn't exist.
On Friday in the rain, a line of cars pulled up in front of Meyzeek on Jackson St. with students, one-by-one, donning a t-shirt and mask, and standing a safe physical distance away from the camera on the sidewalk, filmed the culminating scene of the iMovie. We also dropped off t-shirts - the central focus of the final scene - to more students Friday and Saturday, in the hopes of including as many people as possible.
Was it what the students originally envisioned? No. But, for most of us, adaptive has been the name of the game. And we all evolved - encountering new challenges, and making great new memories together.
We can't wait to share the full iMovie with you through a virtual screening and discussion as the students demonstrate what they've created, and share what they've learned. So - stay tuned for Our Emotional Wellbeing information and updates in the coming weeks!
Delve into more news from our team and collaborators below, including our first artist created tutorial for Universal Art, updates on the Uncovering video podcast, and more!
Our team and board could not be more grateful for the support of our Champions of Hope. We know your Inboxes are overflowing, and requests keep coming in. We appreciate you. We see you. And, your investment in us continues to make an impact!
With gratitude,
Josh Miller
Photo: Josh Miller (Left), Zaxton Rothberg (Center), and Chris Radtke (Right) after the filming of footage for the final iMovie scene. Photo by Kelly Rothberg.
Ongoing growth, development, search for harmony (4/21/2020)
This weekend, I revisited the Passion Paradox by Steve Magness and Brad Stulberg, which says, "You don’t define yourself by any single moment in time; you define yourself by an entire body of work in service of ongoing growth and development."
When I first read their book, I was using the word "balance" as I worked to prioritize the many pieces of my life, as if each component would be able to take up the same amount of space. They provide a contrast between balance (think of a scale with everything of equal weight as the goal), and harmony - things hold different weight, which may evolve over time, and collectively = 100%. In essence, find the healthiest relationship - harmony - of these things to each other. They said, "harmonious passion [is] associated with enhanced long-term performance, vitality, health, and overall life satisfaction."
Over the past few weeks, as each of us has been required to adapt our work, evolve our relationship to time, and each other, I've thought a lot about what and how we achieve harmony. Saturday, I realized I hadn't taken a day off from creating some kind of video content for weeks - whether it was the video podcast, Instagram, or Marco Polo with friends. So, my fiancé Theo and I spent the day making art, eating cookies, and watching movies. It was time to assess and reconsider what harmony meant in times like this.
Finding harmony in our personal lives is one thing, finding it as a leader, as an artist, is another.
At IDEAS xLab, we've worked simultaneously to evolve and keep initiatives moving forward (Our Emotional Wellbeing, Universal Art, etc.), while adapting and creating offerings designed for the times we currently face - like virtual workshops (including Showing up 100), keynote presentations, and strategic storytelling engagements like our collaboration with Derby Diversity & Business Summit.
As Kristina Newman-Scott, CEO of BRIC in Brooklyn, NY said during last week's Uncovering video podcast, the agitation of COVID-19 has made us ask "How might we reimagine serving the community.... using technology in a new way that is more than just this moment, but sustainable in the long-term? BRIC has been forever changed."
Her words ring true. We are all forever changed. Now is the time to focus on what will carry forward, what will be sustainable, what allows us to find harmony and contribute to creating a more healthy, just, and hopeful society. And, we're here to help channel the power of community creativity and culture to make that world a reality.
With gratitude,
Josh Miller and the IDEAS xLab team and Board
Photo: (Left) Artists Shawn Wade and Jazzy J lead Wednesday's Our Emotional Wellbeing IG Live with students from Meyzeek and young people from Louisville Youth Group. (Right) Participant feedback from our inclusion-focused offerings.
The role of art during COVID-19 (4/14/2020)
Last week was National Public Health Week, and our Hope + Wellbeing VISTA, Ashlee Van Schyndel - a graduate student at University of Louisville and the Governing Councilor and AJPH Editorial Board Representative for the American Public Health Association Student Assembly - wrote a blog post where she talks about the marrying of public health concepts and art to transform lives in support of a more healthy, just, and hopeful society.
She wrote, "One way public health interventions can manifest is through art... For instance, a friend of mine, Jenny, recently did a series of makeup looks on viruses [Coronavirus depicted above]—interpretations of viruses and using her face as a canvas. In the comments section, she was able to provide basic information vetted by places such as the Centers for Disease Control and other resources to people who may not be versed in public health. For one of the posts, I was invited to provide background on the disease as an anthropologist and public health specialist to educate her audience. Despite the fact that makeup may not be where you might expect to find information on diseases and how to avoid them, it demonstrates that marrying arts with information may help introduce and expose information to new audiences."
Jenny's use of makeup to visualize and educate is just one example of how important the arts have been during the COVID-19 pandemic. National movements like Creating Healthy Communities: Arts & Public Health in America are also featuring how the arts can impact public health, and recently launched a new COVID-19 arts-response repository . "This is an open-access repository to help professionals across sectors leverage creativity and the arts in responses to COVID-19," said Jill Sonke, Director, Center for the Arts in Medicine, University of Florida College of the Arts.
So - whether you're binging movies and shows on Netflix, reading, listening to hours of music, or creating visual art - I hope you remember how the arts may have supported your health and wellbeing during this time, expanding the way you understand the pandemic, and think about the future.
With gratitude,
Josh Miller and the IDEAS xLab team and Board
Read Ashlee's full post here .
Photo: A makeup interpretation of COVID-19 complete with information from Jenny’s Instagram virus makeup series.
How are you communicating with your team during this time? I shared a message this morning (April 13, 2020) with the IDEAS xLab team and Board as we continue to adapt with #covid_19
1) We all find ourselves having to redefine productivity, work-life harmony, and what it means to show up as best meets our health and wellbeing needs. Please remember to give yourself some grace. Take an extra hour in the morning to rest or a mid-day break to go outside. Reflect on what will best support your needs as we move forward, and do your best to take comparative judgement out of the equation. What is best for one person is best for one person - that doesn't mean it's best or feasible for me or you.
2) Art has been a tremendous outlet for Theo and I - we have a (what will become permanent) art station in our house. It's usable 24/7, and provided many benefits already - and enough artwork for an exhibit already.
3) This time has required that I challenge a lot of internal stories I told about myself about what I could do (physically, mentally, etc). I can already see the ripple effects and how they will translate re: how we move forward - and I hope you are taking time to take note and find solace in these moments. Having things stripped away also paves the way for new - stronger - ways of being if we open ourselves up to it.
Creative Interaction and COVID-19 Artist Resources (4/6/2020)
On Saturday, I ran the trails of Jefferson Memorial Forest, and paused to read a meditation shared by Todd Breyfogle of Aspen Institute. It asks, "What are the simple experiences or sensations that ground you? What are names of those who, in life or death, remind you of your better self? What are the seeds of promise around you, and to what ancient faith do you appeal? Where do you go to be reminded that, even in imperfection, you are enough?"
I harkened back to my conversations with Hannah Drake and Robert Curran during IDEAS xLab's Uncovering video podcast. We talked about grace. Grace to grieve. Grace to re-define productive. Grace to adapt and find new ways of working, being. Grace with ourselves, and with others.
We talked about creative interaction in the virtual realm, and the role that arts and culture - from music to movies, books, visual art and dance - play in supporting communities across the world as we seek to make meaning of our current experience.
As we head into another week of change and evolved ways of being - I encourage you to take a moment to grieve, and to reflect on meaningful moments. To explore the resources for learning and leadership created by Aspen Institute, and to engage with us we continue to build toward a more creative, just, and hopeful society.
Whether you're interested in our virtual workshops as a way to support your team, or IDEAS xLab's Uncovering video podcast, we continue to work and adapt to best meet the needs of our partners, artists, and the communities we serve.
With gratitude,
Josh Miller and the IDEAS xLab team and Board
#COVID19Artwork by Josh Miller, Spring 2020 | Acrylic ink and oil pastel on paper
Trust and transparency in uncertain times (3/30/2020)
Last week was filled with virtual engagements, including the launch of our Uncovering: Connection & Inclusion video podcast.
During my discussion with Darryl Young of the Muhammad Ali Center, he quoted Shawn Dove, asking, “What would you do if you were 10x bolder?”
And, during my discussion with Dayna Neumann of United Mail, we talked about the importance of trust and transparency when it comes to how leaders and teams engage with each other, and the impact it will have on the future of work.
Friday’s Eclectic // Eccentric virtual performance reinforced those notes and other sentiments shared across conversations held on Zoom, Facetime, and IG Live. Trust. The Horizon of Change. Collaboration and Adaptation.
As I ran this morning, I thought about those discussions, and about the ever-present feeling of uncertainty.
I reflected on what that means for me personally. "It will not be uncertainty that is my undoing, but inaction," I thought. For when my actions are grounded in curiosity, courage, connection - and creativity - uncertainty becomes the soil that births new life and ways of working
As we head into another week in ever-changing times, with questions, underlying facets of fear, and hope for the future, I encourage you to keep an adaptive mindset. It will not be easy, but we will make it through together!
We also want to thank our Champions of Hope - who continue to support us with monthly and annual contributions. ALL donations are appreciated, and allow us to continue doing our work and engaging artists!
With gratitude,
Josh Miller and the IDEAS xLab team and Board
Photo by Josh Miller (#runJMrun) from March 30, 2020 on the Big 4 Bridge, Louisville, KY
Free Workshops, Virtual Performance, and more! (3/18/2020)
I saw a recent post by Lisa Bilyeu that said, "It's not the strong of the species that survives, but the most adaptable." And, from Simon Sinek, "Now, more than ever, we need to embrace an infinite mindset... Let us embrace generosity, selflessness and a calm caution as we navigate this together."
These sentiments have permeated the way we work and communicate over the past few weeks. We have completely redesigned programs and developed new offerings, adapted to different ways of working and collaborating, and reminded ourselves that this process - ever evolving - is not going to be perfect.
In the coming weeks, we look forward to offering two free workshops, a donation-based performance to support participating artists, and launching our Uncovering: Connection & Inclusion video podcast (pilot series available here).
Programs including Universal Art and Whole Teacher, Whole Community have been taken completely virtual, and we look forward to launching the WholeCommunityKy.com platform soon!
You can checkout a short video with recommendations for how we are adapting programs and planning for the future on our Facebook page.
While out running yesterday, looking across the river at Louisville from southern Indiana (#runJMrun photo above), I thought about how we plan now for what the "new new normal" will be as we step back into our offices, our communities in the coming months. And, that we have the collective power to shape an adapted way of working, one steeped in inclusion, creativity, and belonging.
We are here on this journey with you - our Champions of Hope, our partners, allies, artists, and community members! Stay healthy, and safe.
With gratitude,
Josh Miller and the IDEAS xLab team and Board