Category: Stories From the Network

By Helese Smauldon My name is Helese and I’m multi-passionate writer, performer and student currently in Brooklyn, NY. I vulnerably share about love, life, work and living with ADHD in various formats. Tap in to my work at https://about.me/helese.   ﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋ (Yeah, I know, there’s no “Y” in Happiness.) But there is a “Why.” Like, “Why 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

You know that saying, “Opposites Attract?” Well for Michaela Lacy (she/her) (Public Allies Wisconsin ‘20 & 21) and Prince Grayson (he/him) (Public Allies Wisconsin ‘20 & ‘21), that couldn’t be more true. As self-proclaimed extroverts and introverts, respectively, the duo never imagined themselves falling in love with one another and having Public Allies to thank Read More

It’s May 2009. Anthony Espinoza (he/him) (Public Allies Wisconsin ‘18) and Marleisa Quiles-Espinoza (she/her) (Public Allies Wisconsin ‘16 & ‘17) meet by serendipity, on a gloomy day in a backyard through mutual friends. Although they didn’t yet know it, teenage Tony and Lisa would soon learn, grow, and thrive together with Public Allies playing a 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

Sometimes, fear is just a little voice in our heads holding us back from achieving and experiencing something great. For Hartley Villagra (they/them) (Public Allies Central Florida ‘22), letting go of these fears helped to propel them forward into finding their life’s purpose, serving others in whichever ways possible. Becoming a Public Ally was like Read More

By Maresa Kelly   My work captures ordinary moments that, when shared between lovers, become beautiful. Being queer, being in a queer relationship are radical acts. However, too often, queer relationships are political battlegrounds for the right to exist. Therefore, it is important to me to depict queer love in its most raw and authentic 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

  For many people around the world, the onset of the pandemic was a time to pick up hobbies and to pursue your passions. For Michaella Kosia (Public Allies North Carolina ‘19) this desire to follow one’s dreams was no different.    Lockdown induced re-centering and reflecting encouraged Michaella to propel herself into culinary arts Read More