*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Peace community, happy to be checking in with another newsletter!!

Thanks for rocking with me along this journey hoping we can connect in the coming months!

Who is Mo?

Monique Harper-Desir, Mo (She/Her/They), is a first generation, queer arts activist, working across The United States. She thriving to connect communities of all backgrounds to each other; offering arts based services & education, racial equity workshops & facilitation, performance arts & dance classes to enrich those around her.

Currently, Mo follows a career in Digital Media and Education. As an artist Mo actively creates using multi-media visual arts, Hip-Hop, Hip Hop theater, Dance and Poetry.

You may also recognize Mo from her work with Humboldt County organization Black Humboldt, through Humboldt’s “Most Notable Women” list, or as North Coast Journal’s 2021 “Humboldt’s Best Local Activist” with nominations in 2022 and 2023!

CHECK OUT FULL WEBSITE

Let’s Collab:

Mo HD is currently looking for teaching artists, artists, performers and teachers to participate in hands on workshop play for in-person teaching moments with students TK-12 and adults 24 and up . '

To get involved with Mo HD Creates please contact us at Admin@Mohdcreates.com

Events:

Black Humboldt is hosting a Black Artistry Cabaret at The Friday Night Market - Friday August 25th 5:30pm - 8:30pm in front of Siren Song Tavern. Followed by an exclusive Black mixer the following day 8/26 at Taste of Bim. More information available at www.Blackhumboldt.com.
The Renaissance Church schedule has been updated, and now includes two offerings a month! Mid month we’ll meet at Redwood Raks Dance Collective and we’ll keep last Sundays at Body High Pole Studio both in Arcata. Full schedule below.
Tending Reciprocity Event - Sunday Sept 10th 2023 - I’ll be offering a movement workshop that will include some body regulation moves, some zumba and some dancehall!
TBA Community Dialogue on Race - Look out for more information about specific workshops and meeting dates this fall.
For more information on workshops, performances and dance classes follow the link below.

Calendar of Events

New release of Monamou Collection

I finally did the thing and made a clothing, accessories & homegoods collection inspired from my painting “Yung King” and my own lived experiences as a Queer Black woman.

My accessories have been inspired by the Black community and my new clothing inspired by Black features and how we’ve been told how undesirable and ugly, Black features are. I am hoping that these new designs will liberate my Black community to love the skin they in and rock it with pride. Some pieces have already been in circulation and the rest of the collection will slowly be leaked over the next 2 weeks.

Everything will be available through my website but you can also catch me in person at a number of local vending opportunities over the next few months!

SHOP NOW

Join my Patreon:

Join a community of forever learners and have access to Mo HD Creates workshops, classes, Q&A sessions, learning resources, performances and more! With every Patron you are furthering the reach and impact of social justice led initiatives and change makers like Mo HD Creates!

Join today to receive free pre released Monamou collection pieces!!

More Info Here!

Art:

Mo has been chosen to create in the 2023 artist cohort sponsored by Partnership for the future of learning CA. The goal of the cohort is to create original artwork that envisions the power and potential of community schools as places of opportunity, healing, restoration and reparations.

Mo has also been names as one of many local the artists painting hire hydrants August - September in the city of Arcata!

Catch Mo in a number of Performance art pieces this fall:

“Hanging With The Homies ” Live podcast on Humboldt Hot Air the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. Join me and the homies while we kiki, reminisce on life and play all the best chunes! Don't miss out!!! www.Humboldthotair.org to stream live!

“Poetry Night at Outer Space“

Tuesday August 29 2023 Outerspace Arcata | 7:00pm - 10:00pm

A night of poetry, music and community! With performances by Harvey Mitchell, Greg Bee, Dylan Collins and more.

“Who is She” Live performance at The Friday Night Market

Friday September 8th 2023 - in front of Siren Song Tavern

Join me as I open for Rideshare Jazz. It’ll be a 20/30 min set including music off my “Who is She” EP and original poetry.

Emporium fundraiser - Arcata location TBA

Wednesday September 23rd 2023 - more info TBA

Poetry, art, pole dancing && more to support the opening of a new art creation center in Old Town called Emporium.

“Poetry & Poles ”

Friday, September 29, 2023 at Body High Pole Studio | 7:00 PM 9:00 PM

Poetry performance more details TBA

“Beyond The Mic ”

Saturday, September 30, 2023 at The Thing | 6:00 PM 10:00 PM

Poetry performance more details TBA

WORKS IN PROGRESS:

“A Trip Through Our Caribe” - short theatrical and Animated storytelling of how Africans were brought to the Americas.

Call to Allies:

Consider direct giving to BIPOC communities at risk.
Support BIPOC artists and educators.
Support Land Acknowledgements through direct action through reciprocity for the land and giving to your local indigenous communities or native led efforts.
Communicate and listen to BIPOC communities.
Revisit the ways you participate in White Supremacy & Dominant cultures.

A Word From Mo HD:

Hey y’all heyyyyy! Happy Leo season!

Summer seems to some how come and go already, but I am thrilled to see the sun is sticking around, we deserve it! I’ve had such a whirlwind of change since the last time I sat down to write an update, truly it’s been a whirlwind of a year! Since this time last year, I’ve finished two business cohorts/fellowships, completed my first year as a teaching artist for Ink People’s artists in schools program and led a group of Black women through fellowship with Black Humboldt. All of these projects truly feed my soul and support me to feed these kids (lol).

So I’ve decided to step away from my position at Access Humboldt and continuing on this path of independence as well as feeding myself with opportunities to create art and community. I cherish Access Humboldt and will remain an active member in their community and support the projects I helped develop, that are also food for my soul and close to my heart.

Change is something that gets the Aquarius in me traction to kick ass and inspires me to believe anything is possible, but also creates anxiety so naturally I turn to the cards and my ancestors for reassurance “we gon be alright”.

“The new moon in Leo arrives On August 16, 2023 bringing with it the rich opportunity for reflection and creation. New moons, in name and meaning are slate cleaning, field clearing restarts that usher in a fresh lunar cycle.The new moon is the darkest phase of the moon’s cycle, a point of pure potential and an invitation to begin. Leo is ruled by the sun and lords over the fifth house of pleasure, play and the inner child and thusly this lunation is about expression, creativity, heart meat healing and sure-ing up our self concept. As the moon is not visible during this phase of the lunar cycle it stands as metaphor for the shadow parts of our selves that we keep spirited away from others and that we ourselves struggle to see, heal or integrate. The new moon in Leo brings out themes surrounding relationships, competition, loyalty and love, independence and co-creation. Where and by whom do we feel supported? Are we operating from a place of security or expectation? Can we feed ourselves or are we ever seeking the sweet validation of others? The word confidence derives from the Latin confidere, “to have full trust.” In this sense, we can view confidence, and this new moon in Leo as an invitation to have full trust in ourselves; to operate not with self-interest but with inner authority, to move through the world knowing we have a place within it and that our power has an ultimate purpose. “ https://nypost.com/2023/08/14/august-2023-new-moon-in-leo/

Thus, I’ll leave you with the affirmation that I am trusting myself, I am trusting the process and I am trusting everything I desire and deserve is already mine!

Peace out - Mo