- notes along the way
- Posts
- The journey continued--
Happy new year family!
Thank you 2023— for being the year of self realization.
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And thank you to my Chicago community of creatives and collaborators. I’m so grateful to have been able to spend 2023 working with several amazing community organizations, high schools, museums, and arts-based non-profits across the city.
I’ve always known I was an artist myself, but I newly discovered that my purpose is actually to inspire the creative potential in others.
First time facilitating and hosting! A Poetry Night at FourtuneHouse Art Center.
[As facilitator & storyteller]
In realizing that my creative work is bigger than myself, I launched afrotranscendental LLC, a creative consultancy, experience lab, and “dream archive” of meditation, fiction, and poetry-based writing projects.
I created a poetry circle series, where I activated art exhibitions, community gardens, and other creative spaces across the city.
Part writing workshop, part open mic, part discussion— the poetry circle concept is a fun, accessible, and adaptable way to write in community with others.
Here, I designed a creative writing workshop on “Poetry, Blues, and the Lore of the Indigo Child” where I took art exhibition guests through a process of bookmaking, journey mapping, and even musical performance.
I wrote a letter to my ancestors, reflecting on our time together and the parts of myself that I owe to them - and that letter was published in Black Love Letters, an anthology by John Legend’s Get Lifted Books.
Here, I am doing a live reading of the letter in LA at the book launch and cocktail party.
My most impactful gatherings were the ones in nature, where community practiced care, wellness, and joy together.
And of course I had to touch the mic a couple times! Here, I performed and hosted at the House of Blues, in partnership with Live Nation Urban!
[As tech designer & founder]
Bringing people together is an impactful, revolutionary, and necessary act- And I’m not doing it alone.
The most important part of this work has been building and cultivating my team, and without the contributions of Grace, Amanuel, Heather, Brianna, and Sidney (right to left) this work would not be possible.
2023 has been the dawn of my company, Movement Labs Co, an emergent tech startup with the mission to build a culture rooted in connectedness.
Our work has been focused on bridging the gap between local businesses, Black-owned brands, community orgs, and the people that sustain them. And our mission begins with our first venture, the What’s the Move? App.
After working on this project for nearly 3 years, 2023 was the year of building and launching the app. Now, in 2024, it’s about putting it to work!
Chicago came out for our official Launch Party, where we brought together entrepreneurs, artists, brands, and the homies from across the city.
The WTM? Launch served as our promise to the city that we’re here, and we’re committed to building technology and creating spaces that can help sustain us. You can check out the recap video here! We’re really starting a movement— and I couldn’t be more excited.
[Looking at 2024]
2023 was an amazing year of laying the foundation and planting the seeds — and in 2024, I’m expanding and cultivating.
BUILDING: My team and my company, establishing Movement Labs Co as a community-centered technology and data analytics startup.
We are currently fundraising our pre-seed round and strategic planning for Spring 2024.
You can support by connecting our team to any fundraising, legal counsel, and accounting/taxes resources for early stage start-ups! Here’s a resource for all things What’s the Move? and Movement Labs.
PRACTICING: My writing— 2024 is the year I publish my first book!
I will also be formally launching my consulting practice, offering 1:1 journal coaching, workshop design/facilitation, and strategic planning services.
You can support by referring me to any clients or organizations aligned with my work in the arts or entrepreneurship space! Here’s a deck that talks about my practice, services, and past work.
SEEKING: Contract projects across writing, event curation, program development, and dialogue facilitation.
I am also seeking remote, part-time employment opportunities across R&D, sales, and business to development. My goal is to strengthen my expertise in ecosystem development.
You can support by connecting me to any relevant opportunities, or working with me directly! Here’s my resumé, CV, and bio.
Excited to continue! More soon.
All love,
Justus Cornelius