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An Interview with Narrative 4 Artist, Talamieka Brice
This month, to celebrate International Women’s History Month, we’ve asked our staff to nominate some of the amazing women working within the Narrative 4 community, to uplift their work and express our sincere appreciation for their commitment to N4’s core beliefs. These women truly embody compassionate change-making in the world and are doing the work to build support and connection in their communities.
This post is an interview with Talamieka Brice, N4 Artist and one of our nominees! Talamieka is an international award-winning visual artist, poet and filmmaker, as well as a business owner and mother. As an artist and activist, she works hard to bring the stories of those who are often overseen to the forefront. Her work around sharing and uplifting the lived experiences of African Americans in the US South has been featured in prominent news sources across the globe and has helped bridge the gap between conflicting groups in her community and beyond. Talamieka served as a panelist for our 10th Anniversary Changing the World Through Stories conversation series hosted by N4’s Colum McCann and Ishmael Beah. We are proud to have Talamieka’s voice among the powerful women telling stories and making changes with N4.
In conversation with Talamieka
What’s the most important thing we should know about you?
That I’m Black & Southern, those two facets greatly influence how I move through the world.
What excites you about the work of Narrative 4? What drew you to this work? Why does it matter?
I love the authenticity and vulnerability of the program. It encourages folks to get through the glamourous shells we polish for the world to see and forces us to move beyond the surface…to the heart. And, in the heart is where real change occurs. Growing up in small town Mississippi, I became a ‘briar rabbit’. I learned how to eave and survive the briar patches. My feet grew accustomed to the grooves that lead to the greatest freedom. I met others there, and it’s my privilege to point those up for the journey into the liberating direction. Acclaimed Mississippian and freedom fighter, Fannie Lou Hamer once said, no one is free, until everyone is free.
Can you share a brief story about your work with N4?
The very first panel we were on was pure magic. Everyone was vulnerable, and asking big questions of the audience through our storytelling. I love that N4, not only highlights the struggles of those conducting the workshops but also hits on the battles that we all wage in this human saga.
Read our interviews with other nominees and participate in our International Women’s History month campaign here!
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