Domestic Violence Awareness

Raise your hand if you have been or know someone that has been raped, molested or sexually assaulted. I've got mine raised, how about you? In 2010, a friend and I organized a rally for a 14yr old girl that had been gang raped. During the rally I asked this question and the number of hands shooting up was heart breaking, a harsh reality. Someone that had brought their daughter shared with me that when she raised her hand and her daughter asked if she had been raped. She hadn't been but she knew some women who had been. This single action created an important dialogue. When those hands were raised, I didn't feel alone, I was among people who understood my past.

I'm not certified or any type of specialist but I've been there and one of the most strengthening moments for me was to know I wasn't alone. Being able to share my story and shedding my tears in a safe space helped me evolve; I'm no longer a victim but instead a survivor.

Because of moments like this I'm excited to create Voices In Color - Domestic Violence Awareness Month edition. Being given the trust of women sharing their story with me means more than I can express. I only hope I do them justice.

Good night,
Kiki

2012 isn't over yet!

It's June 5, 2012. Can you believe the year is half way through?! Some friends were sharing this revelation with me and it just hadn't occurred to me we were coming up on 2013 so quickly. They began talking about what the first half of the year meant to them and what changes they planned to make in the coming months. I sat listening and realized, I haven't done as much as I had wanted for myself, for my own company. So when it was my turn to share all I could say was that this needed to change.

Over the course of the past 6 months I've been able to do the following which is definitely a reason to celebrate!
1. Become a sponsor for Miami's Women's Weekend
2. New logo
3. Invited to produce a show in San Diego
4. Few people interested in volunteering
5. Few people interested in sharing their stories

Well, 5 is my favorite number! Although these are all amazing accomplishments, I know I can be doing more. One of my goals for the year was to write more. After searching for a venue in San Diego I realized I was moving in the wrong direction. When I completed VIC in Oakland I moved shortly after and have been adjusting ever since. I never took the time to really go back and work on the show, to develop it more. I was pushing to produce another one because there had been so much interest and a high from it, which is more than I could have dreamed of! But I knew, this wasn't the right step for me. After this, I made the decision to not produce a show in 2012 but to focus on working the content of the show so it would be at it's best in 2013.

2012 isn't over yet! After a short conversation with a friend I was encouraged to do something for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. After an hour I had a venue and 3 volunteers to work the show! Determination and persistence is key. I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do and was determined to make it happen. All night I began brainstorming and the excitement flowing through my veins cannot be described!

This morning as I'm sitting in front of my buddhist altar, chanting, I began envisioning pieces and one that popped in my mind was a story that shows domestic violence happening through the generations but a woman becomes stronger knowing that she's going to break this "tradition" by stopping it from happening ever again in her household. This imagery brought tears to my eyes!