The Mirror Dialogue: a conversation about taking the time to see yourself, the importance of it, and the practice of it.
Purposed. Markeith’s WHY is to support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds find value in their authentic selves. Working to ensure that those who have been invisible, marginalized, and disregarded are empowered to truly SEE themselves and KNOW that they have boundless potential.
Scholar. A proud graduate of Norfolk State University; an HBCU in Norfolk, Va. Markeith Earned his B.S. in Applied Mathematics. While teaching full time, he earned a Masters’ of Education Curriculum and Instruction from Averett University in Danville Va. Lastly he moved across the country to become a Trojan at the University of Southern California. Earning his Doctorate Of Education in Educational Psychology. His research focused on stereotype threat and the role of Ethnic specific resources for Black students at Predominantly white institutions.
Educator. A lifelong educator with a passion rooted in access and retention, Markeith has experienced as an educator in K-12 and Higher Education settings. Beginning his career as a mathematics instructor at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk Va., he fell in love with college access. Throughout his time as a teacher he developed mentoring organizations, organized college tours and ensured his students were empowered with the awareness of opportunity. In higher education Markeith worked as the Director of Diversity and Equity for the USC graduate student government and currently works at UCLA Residential Life as a Community Director. His goal is to ensure that every student, regardless of their varying identities, has a genuine connection to their university and feels a sense of belonging.
Instructor. Markeith has instructed a number of different courses at UCLA. These courses ranging from a first year transition course for Black Scholars, co-Instructing a course on the Imposter Phenomenon to undergraduate students and teaching a course on Identity Development/Transition in the Masters’ of Student Affairs. All of the courses that he has taught have focused on empowering students to discover and take ownership of their WHY.
Creative. Music, art, and poetry serve as Markeith’s passion. A true believer that arts are essential to the soul and connection across difference. A collector of vinyls and lover of music, he can be found creating playlists that inspire dancing, smiles, and joy.
Authentic. Born and raised in PG County Maryland, Markeith has fully embraced his identities. As a first generation college bound, Black Man from the foster care system, he has mastered the art of identity integration and remains authentic everywhere he goes. Taking ownership and being vulnerable of his full narrative has allowed him to connect, inspire, and empower those with similar narratives. He hopes to inspire others to find happiness in their authenticity.
Connector. A lover of people, Markeith truly believes that every person’s narrative is special. He loves to laugh and simply connect with people from any walk of life. Fully aware the family extends beyond bloodlines, he also aims to inspire strangers to connect, build and grow from each other; while learning that we are all connected.
Daring To Live Beyond Just Existing, a forthcoming program for abolitionist pod (prototype), has been curated by Juice Wood.
Juice Wood is a transmasculine/non-binary multi-hyphenated artist, community builder, abolitionist, entrepreneur, taco enthusiast & dog lover from Inglewood, CA. Having just received his master’s degree from the California Institute of the Arts, she is incredibly honored to be curating an event that focuses on everything she is passionate about.
abolitionist pod (prototype) is supported, in part, by Art Rise, a project of WERISE.LA, an initiative of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, with generous support from the Environmental Council of The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Participating urban gardeners and farmers include The WOW Flower Project, CSU, Ambiguous Digz, Urban Soul Farmer, Hereticgardener, The plant plug LA, Farm for a future, Sylmar HS - Agriculture Class, and Te’Amir Sweeney.
Art Rise is a series of over fifteen outdoor art installations in and around Downtown Los Angeles, commissioned especially for WE RISE, that encourages wellbeing and healing through art, connection, community engagement, and creative expression. For more information and to see a complete Art Rise map, please visit werise.la.
Virtual MOCA is a new and daily digital series available on both moca.org and across MOCA's social media platforms. To enjoy the breadth of this program, please follow us on our social channels:
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Virtual MOCA is presented by the MOCA Thrive Fund courtesy of Chara Schreyer.
Education at MOCA courtesy of Terri and Michael Smooke. Additional support provided by The Hearst Foundations, Blum & Poe, and Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation.
