This morning, I headed to the Northern Stacks event space at Forgotten Star Brewing for an inspiring Creative Mornings talk. The theme? “Journey”—and the speaker, Seena Hodges, absolutely nailed it.
Seena wove a powerful metaphor about life being a highway: some of us zoom along, while others are afforded the luxury to take a slower lane. The magic though for all of us? We get to choose some of what we do in the vehicle—gaze out the window at the signs, learn from others’ journeys, or… stare at the dashboard and nap through the ride. 🛣️👀
Her reminder that “no one has the quintessential lived life” struck a deep chord in relation to understanding each other. We’re all the sum of our experiences, and our mission? Show up with compassion, empathy, and kindness. ❤️💡
During the Q&A, a self-identified mature white woman asked a thoughtful question: How can I bring more diversity into my world? Seena’s response was 🔥: Change where you show up. Where do you shop? Hang out? Build relationships beyond your usual crowd. It’s in these intentional shifts that transformation happens. 🌎
“A lot of times when things are really hard, the way through is creativity.” – Seena Hodges 🎨đź’
I was also so happy to realize afterwards, that Seena’s husband, Ansa, is also a fellow actor whom I have had the pleasure to work with several years ago! #SmallWorld
Who is Seena Hodges?
🌟 An award-winning businesswoman, activist, and intersectional feminist, Seena’s spent her career championing underrepresented communities and empowering leaders to drive real change. Her 2023 book, “From Ally to Accomplice: How to Lead as a Fierce Antiracist”, challenges systemic oppression head-on. (Am looking forward to reading it.)
Her accolades? They’re endless. She’s been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise, and more. Seena also holds a master’s from Columbia and is currently pursuing a PhD while serving on the Walker Art Center’s Board of Trustees and advocating for equity in arts and business. 🖼️💼
Today’s takeaway? Life’s journey is about awareness (of self and others), connection, and the courage to change lanes when needed. 🌟🚶‍♀️
Thank you to Creative Mornings for hosting this event and to the sponsors who made it all possible: Forgotten Star Brewing, Sift Gluten Free Bakery, Northstar Kombucha, and Manny & Paul. You brought the community together, and we’re grateful for it! 🙌