Mission: to help marginalized women activate their light in the middle of the chaos by recognizing the causes and effects of intergenerational trauma
Brown-skinned older Black woman shown in a circular portrait with a bald head, red large, funky glasses, silver and red garnet nose ring and gold eyeglass chain. She has a relaxed, slight smile, and is wearing a black top with a zebra print scarf.
BIography (150 Words)
In one week in March 2022, days after launching Sista Creatives Rising with her daughter Amaranthia, Claire lost her mobility by the hour. Enduring emergency surgery to remove a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma from her spine, she let go of all delusions and illusions about her health. Claire is now within the 1% category to walk again after such surgery. Now in remission, Claire redetermined to help marginalized women gain inner strength by accessing their artistic side.
A Buddhist and Frances Perkins Scholar, Claire's journey to scholarship began during her childhood in Barbados when she sought relief from the chaos of living under domestic violence. Claire uses her creative works and writings to encourage women trauma-survivors to utilize art for self-improvement. In the 1990s, standing at The Door of No Return in Senegal, where enslaved people last saw their homeland, she reaffirmed her purpose: to overcome intergenerational trauma.
50 Words
Claire Jones is a domestic violence (DV) and cancer survivor, Buddhist, Frances Perkins Scholar, and Mount Holyoke graduate. Goalcast, BestSelf Media, YOPP published her works. In 2023 she presented virtually at Boston Public Library.
She's the co-founder of Sista Creatives Rising and "Art & Mind," which showcases creative folk who are underrepresented women and marginalized genders.
One Sentence BIO
Claire Jones is a Black invisibly-disabled domestic violence (DV) and cancer survivor, creative, Buddhist and Frances Perkins Scholar who is the co-founder of Sista Creatives Rising and "Art & Mind," a virtual event showcasing underrepresented women and marginalized genders.
Area of focus
- Leadership and Accessibility in the Arts
- Marginalized Women Creatives
- Self-Improvement Through Creativity
- Mental Health Awareness
Memoir in Progress
popular topics
- VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: A 50% Chance of Paralysis: How I Utilized Journaling as Self-Reflection During Cancer Treatment.
- VIRTUAL SPEECH: A Gift From Cancer: How To Get Ahead Of Life Before Life Gets Ahead Of You!
Testimonials
"Working with Claire to bring her virtual talk, "A 50% Chance of Paralysis: How I Utilized Journaling as Self-Reflection During Cancer Treatment" was absolutely wonderful. We had been working on this presentation since Spring 2023 and presented on August 10th. Claire was very open to communication and proactive in developing this presentation. This presentation offered talking points such as how art and writing can be used as a healing tool, how to self-advocate when you don't feel represented as a minority woman in a medical setting, and the mental health benefits of documenting your crisis through journaling so you can view your progress. This talk was extremely important for our local community here at the library, and Claire was exactly the right person to give it. She engaged our participants and ensured that the audience knew where we were headed and gave them reasonable and practical steps to advocate for themselves. Thanks so much, Claire!”
- Amy Layton, Librarian and Event Organizer, Boston Public Library
"Claire! Wonderful presentation. Yours is a necessary voice in the conversation about medical racism in this country. And your light and gift of healing strategies was also shining bright.”
- Michael Winward, Dancing Queerly Boston
"Claire’s story is one of resilience, fortitude and tenacity. She is masterful at weaving a story that captures an audience with a narrative that inspires and leaves them wanting more. I invited Claire to speak to a group of leaders in the field on domestic violence. She tailored her message to speak to advocacy and determination. Her story moved several in the group to tears and renewed their determination to provide advocacy for those who experience violence in their lives. More importantly, it left us all feeling hopeful because she survived and thrived. Her story is particularly poignant during a time when people are struggling to survive a pandemic and racial violence. She is engaging and thoughtful. Her story needs to be told!” - Deborah Hall, MS Director of Domestic Violence Services, YWCA Central Massachusetts
Claire brings energy, organizational savvy, interpersonal wisdom, determination, and eloquent and clear written and spoken communication skills to her work. I worked with Claire to help organize a virtual show through “Art & Mind” with Claire and Amaranthia Sepia that was geared towards women and femmes from marginalized backgrounds and that was a wonderful experience. I heartily endorse her for a content writing, training, education or leadership role!" - Cristina Deptula, Publicist, Founder of Authors, Large and Small
“Amaranthia and Claire are two people that I am truly thankful to know. I feel, as a friend has told me before, "highly favored and blessed" to know people that are Black and disabled like me (in the same state, too!) and have done so much to amplify the voices of people like me and other disabled people of the global majority. The Art & Mind show has been one of the best virtual events that I have ever attended. I felt safe, cherished, and embraced as I witnessed the ever-inspiring and enlightening art of other disabled creators. The amount of effort and love that went into ensuring that the show was accessible for people like me is just noteworthy and so endearing. It honestly brought tears to my eyes and I can't express my appreciation enough. Much love & light to these two. " - Mya, Art & Mind 2023 Attendee
(@myagical, https://myagical.wixsite.com/m-diaries)
“My takeaways were, 1. it was very moving, 2. I am not a burden I deserve to take up space, and 3. the oprah winfrey quote, “your life is always speaking to you.” I absolutely loved the event, it was something I never knew I needed. I really liked the emotional parts in Claire's documentary, and getting free therapy from Amanda McGuire (MA, CMHC)” - Tennesha Skyers, Self-Taught Painter, Art & Mind 2023 Artist
“Being a part of this event has been life changing. So much healing came from this short time of connection and vulnerability. I am so thankful for SCR standing up for creators like myself. (I learned) I am not a burden” - SabiLewSounds, Disabled Nicaraguan American, Musician & Visual Artist, Art & Mind 2023 Artist
“Overall I thought the documentary direction was unbelievably good. The chapters that make it a story, the insert of SabiLewSounds and Mel Chiliani’s (Documentary Composer) music into the message, the pre-captioned spoken word and poetry that gave those sections of the story more emotion and impact, the blooper at the end.. I captioned the whole film in one sitting because I wanted to see what came next. I think the commentary matched all the angles of the video scenes very smoothly and I hope my captions did it justice!” - Linlin Yu, Art & Mind 2023 Team Member - Assistant Art Director, Captioning Assistant,
“It was so amazing to work with Claire and Amaranthia as a team on "Art and Mind: Reflections of Women, Femmes and Our Mental Health" (Art & Mind 2021). This was an online artist showcase series on the topic of art and mental health during Covid 19. It served as a fundraiser for our nonprofit, Brain Arts Organization. Overall Claire and Amaranthia greatly exceeded our expectations with this event. Each artist was engaged thoughtfully, the video and design work was incredible, and the event had a comprehensive and meaningful flow that created a safe and healing space for everyone involved. I would 10/10 recommend anyone working with Claire on future projects surrounding Art and Wellness. Her life experience and passion has led her to be a modest expert on this topic, and I can personally testify to her commitment and integrity.”
- Emma Leavitt, Creative Director of Brain Arts Org
socials
BUSINESS INSTAGRAM: @SistaCreativesRising
INSTAGRAM:
@ClarityIsJustSoHip
YOUTUBE:
Art & Mind Series
LINKEDIN:
Claire Jones