Category: Ally Stories

by Andreu Rydbom. Recently, Andreu Rydbom (Public Allies Central Florida ’23), surprised us with a one-of-a-kind painting to celebrate the bond within our movement. This beautiful piece is a timely reminder to reflect on on our past while maintaining hope for the future. It was only a year ago, in a painful and misguided restructuring, Read More

By Laylah Muhammad El   In this assortment of works Laylah explores the Black Identity through soft visuals with a lot of soul. She is an artist from the East Coast who specializes in digital arts and media. As a Black Muslim, she finds it imperative to depict diverse people within her art. You can Read More

By Colton Jonna Manley   I am without my body, but a soul.  How could they ever know,  The fate that lays beneath my skin. It leaves me ill, trapped with its intent.  For I know the plans they make for me,  But I have created my own reality.  A soul grown to a sun, Read More

By Monea Bailey   At a young age, I would express my artistic freedom through varying outlets. Maturing my craft allows me to see how my gifts can be used to make room for the freedom of others. Through the stroke of a brush and the power of my lens, I aim to help my Read More

By Imani Lowe   I created this compilation of mediums to express how I feel being a queer Black woman in love with another queer Black woman. I commissioned a painting months ago of me and my girlfriend by an artist and her IG handle is Nathematical. I inserted the renderings into the collage because Read More

By Alexandra Smith                        – after Gwendolyn Brooks                    We think of lukewarm water, hope to get in it.   sunday morning sun shines through the open window to warm the tile, we bump hips and your Read More

By John Broadway     A couple of months ago, a colleague of mine was about to present her life story. But first, she stopped to thank and acknowledge her ancestors.  When she did this, something in me snapped. Emotions flared, and I instantly teared up. That moment was a reminder that I’ve felt a Read More

By Destiny Harris   Above cultivated humid soil, I ascend soaking in optimism. Underneath this soil, beads of courage are knotted into all of my fibrous roots. Through these roots, I am able to form a thick heart in this hollow trunk. From this trunk, hunger for self-control dangles in my mind like these scaly Read More

This Pride Month, we celebrate our Public Allies AmeriCorps members and partner organizations working daily for LGBTQ+ equality and well-being: Mileena Muhammad (Chicago) partners with the Broadway Youth Center to make life healthier and happier for young people who identify as LGBTQ+, and especially young people who do not have stable housing. “As Youth Development Specialist, Read More

By Xesenia Maurice PRIDE means LOVE Maybe it’s cliché to say A phrase so simple That can run so deep Like the currents in our body As we navigate how to exist, live, and be in this world. A phrase so many have fought for And continue to fight for. A phrase that has seen Read More