Moderator for Q&A Panels
““Trauma is more than an individual matter. It is systemic; it’s bigger than us. If you’re not traumatized, then we have to ask more questions what is happening around us. And if we can lead from a place of love and joy and resiliency, that is the kind of movement that will sustain us for many generations to come.””
I had the opportunity to moderate this powerful panel discussion on trauma and resiliency with Dr. Carrie Johnson of Seven Generations Child & Family Services-U.A.I.I. and Dr. Clandis V. Payne (The Healing Well), hosted by Center Theatre Group.
*This discussion took place prior to the performance of Head of Passes, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney (Oscar® winner for Moonlight) in Fall 2017.
We dive into historical and intergenerational trauma, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, microagressions, spiritual bypassing, how trauma specifically affects communities of color (and why we trigger each other!!), how trauma is stored in the body, and ways we have always practiced healing and resiliency.
How amazing is it we can turn our tragedy into beauty?
Post-Show Audience Engagement Conversations for Luis Valdez’s play, Valley of the Heart, at the Mark Taper Forum in Downtown Los Angeles. Photo by Jocelyn Lopez, pictured alongside Lakisha Michelle May (December 2018)
EVENT HOST
As an experienced performer, moderator, and host of special events, I specialize in creating safe spaces for individuals to express themselves and to be heard. I co-founded and organized one of the largest open mic events in Long Beach for 5 years called "Break the Silence" and served as the main emcee. Event organizing and curating experience include film screenings, poetry readings, theater productions, and staff retreats. Past clients include: Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Arts Council for Long Beach (2x grant recipient), Great Leap Inc, Jobs to Move America, Asian American Drug Abuse Prevention, and many more.
One Imagination presents: Voices of Our Community (Album Release) 2010 in Long Beach, CA
Hosting Tuesday Night Cafe (May 2016) at Union Center for the Arts | Photo credit: Mike Murase
I've host other well-renowned open mics throughout Los Angeles such as Tuesday Night Cafe and Sunday Jump. I've also been requested as a moderator, panelist, performer, and guest speaker for topics connected to the arts, trauma, resiliency, and healing.
Cambodia Town Film Festival 2015: Q & A Discussion for "The Roots Remain" Documentary Screening
Get UP! Stand UP! Speak UP! An evening of Art and Stories to benefit the Serve the People Institute at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum, November 2015 hosted by Senator Warren Furutani
"Mulheres Da Terra" (Women of Earth) Documentary Screening and Q&A Panel of local birthworkers of color to discuss birth stories, disparities within the field, and ways to advocate for birthing justice.
Event organized and curated by June Kaewsith
CURATOR
Event organizing and curating experience include film screenings, poetry readings, theater productions, and staff retreats. Past clients include: Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Arts Council for Long Beach (2x grant recipient), Great Leap Inc, Jobs to Move America, and many more.
From 2015 - 2017, I served as the annual curator and host of Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival's Youth Media Program: From Vision to Reel, where I aim to select films that highlight underrepresented stories captured by Asian American and Pacific Islander youth and recruited community organizations to act as co-sponsors.
If Hollywood doesn't tell our stories, then who will?
We are the ones we have been waiting for.
"The purpose of these events is to create an opportunity for emerging and accomplished artists of Southeast Asian (Cambodian, Thai, Lao, Hmong, Vietnamese, etc) descent to share their work in a safe and supportive environment, and to expand people’s perception of 'Asian America' that goes beyond East Asian narratives. We aim to inspire audience members to own their story and share it through creative outlets as a way to educate others of our unique and intersecting identities." - June Kaewsith
“The true artist, however, is a truth teller who has the ability see reality untainted by cultural filters. Artists can shake us out of the cultural trance that leads us to consume harmful products, play the mark in Wall Street con games, and support corrupt politicians. Talented artists can help us see beauty, meaning, and possibility where it may otherwise escape our attention. They can take us on an imaginary journey to a future no one has yet visited to experience possibilities we may not have imagined. Our movement needs the contribution of millions of artists devoted to liberating human consciousness.”
- Excerpt from article “Are You a Cultural Worker?”
Contact me for availability and rates. I am limited to a small number of volunteer opportunities, though am open to it dependent on the event and subject matter.