Facing Race: A National Conference in St. Louis, MO — November 20-22, 2024

DeZha Smith

Artist and CRXLAB Youth Alum |
Pronouns: she/her, they/them

A St. Louis native with a passion for painting, mixed media, and baking, DeZha aims to be of service to their community; specifically, in support of Black women and girls who are often overly disciplined and underprotected in and outside of their communities. During her tenure with Creative Reaction Lab as a Seeds of Power Fellow, Dezha piloted Emotion Molding — an arts-based workshop utilizing research in art therapy to provide a safe space for Black girls to better process and articulate their emotions. About the workshop, DeZha stated: "Black women will always struggle to express themselves or to be understood and heard when expressing themselves. Using clay as a medium of creative expression she will be able to see a physical manifestation of their emotions to better understand them and communicate them."


Presentations from Facing Race 2024

Artwork for Equity: Leveraging Artistic Talents Toward Transformative Change

Step into the world of artivism with Creative Reaction Lab's youth artists as they lead an interactive workshop, sharing their passion for creative change-making. In this session, participants will engage with the artists, exploring how to visually convey content around inequity and other social issues.

The artists will guide participants through the creative process, empowering them to become decision-makers in using art as a form of activism. In addition to showcasing their work, these talented individuals will share their experiences creating art and engaging in artivism.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from the artists, gaining insight into their creative process and the impact of their work. The workshop encourages dialogue and collaboration, fostering a deeper understanding of the role of art in addressing social issues.

Join us to witness the passion and dedication of these young artists as they use their talents to drive meaningful change. Be inspired by their stories and learn how you can use art as a tool for advocacy and empowerment. Together, we can create a more just and equitable society through art and activism.

Speakers: Thomas Savage, DeZha Smith