Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
The mission of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute is clear; to create and support an environment where families can live in Peace and Unity. Our Goals and Objectives are three fold: (1.) Schools: To develop programs and activities that teach and instill the values of peace and enrich the lives of young people. (2.) Families: To assist and empower survivors of homicide victims with tools that not only rebuild their lives but also their communities; through Education, Collaboration, and Policy Advocacy. (3.) Community: To inform and educate the public about the causes and the consequences of violence on the individual, the family and the community, while transforming the community into an environment where young people are valued by adults and by their peers for their peacemaking efforts. Our philosophy is simple yet complex: to reach people, no matter where they are on their journey, and to assist them and their families in becoming more involved in the process of change. Our core principles are Love, Unity, Faith, Hope, Courage, Justice and Forgiveness. Our foundation is built upon Peace and within this foundation we have a strong commitment to work with families of both victims and offenders. Our approach is to listen, acknowledge, mobilize, and collaborate with the community at large.
Shea Zephir [choreography]
Shea Zephir (Woman in Black and Choreographer of all dance pieces) is a native of Harlem, NYC where she began her training at the Harlem School of the Arts. She has been a member of Renaissance II, Umojia Dance Company, and Passions Dance Project. Shea has had the opportunity to perform works from notable choreographers and instructors Krystal Hall-Glass, Kim Grier, Keith Lewis, Antionette Coward-Gilmore, Robin Williams, Imani Kahn and many others. At age 23 Shea is a diverse talent currently teaching West African dance at Messiah Community Arts School and a member of ESPN's Dancing Dolls of 97.5 FM "The Fanatic".
Donja R. Love [director]
Donja R. Love is a native of Philadelphia. He attended Temple University majoring in Theatre. He has written/directed the stage plays "The Nigga Files" and "How to Kill A Child and A Demon" in addition to the mini-series "System/Report." Founder of the poetry non-profit The Lyrical Playground, he teaches writing to inner-city youth. In July of 2010 he founded the arts and entertainment company Recycled Love Productions, which creates and exposes groundbreaking and trendsetting art. When he is not creating art he works as a Pre-K and Kindergarten instructor at a West Philadelphia charter school.
To learn more about Donja, follow him on twitter or friend him on facebook.
On his collaboration with RAW FRUIT: "It's rare to come across a project that reminds you why you believe in what it is that you do. When "Love, Queens..." came my way, I jumped at the chance. I knew that I would not only bring something fresh to the already plen- tiful table that it offered, but learn wonderous lessons during the process. What I've learned is how alive art is. How spiritual it can be if you have enough faith in it. Thank you to Heather Thomas and Jamila Captiman for creating such a healing piece of art that not only speaks about the black woman and black man in an honest light, but the community in which we reside. Thank you to my phenomenal cast of queens for being so honest with yourselves to honestly be your characters. You all made this the best project that I've ever worked on. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! " - Donja.
Willis Nomo [body paint]
The cast’s body painting for the February 2010 production was designed and painted by the phenomenal artist Willis Nomo. His work is visible in various local galleries and his murals are located throughout Philadelphia. Visit his website for more information.
“As artists, we must learn the language of art and design... then we must begin to speak visually.” - Willis Nomo