E5 S14 Building a Career at the Intersection of Art, Activism, and Collective Liberation

In this episode of the Social Change Career Podcast, Dr. Craig Zelizer sits down with the inspiring Yuna Sapi. As a visionary leader and founder of impactful organizations like Liberate Inc. and Protectores de la Tierra and serving as an Echoing Green Fellow, Yura shares their compelling journey of weaving together art, activism, and collective liberation to create lasting social impact.

Why You Should Listen:

• Art as Activism: Discover how Yura's work with Liberate Inc. uses the arts to advance racial, social, and climate justice. Learn about their groundbreaking initiatives that empower BIPOC creatives through grants, education, and organizing efforts.

• Cultivating Community Resilience: Explore Yura's transformative work with Protectores de la Tierra, a food sovereignty initiative in Colombia that blends ancestral Afro-Indigenous practices to empower local communities and promote environmental sustainability.

• From Vision to Reality: Gain insights into Yura's career shift from traditional employment to founding her own successful organizations.

• Fellowship Wisdom: Dive into the role of fellowships in Yura's journey, including the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship, and understand how these opportunities can support and accelerate a changemaker's impact.

• Strategic Planning for Impact: Learn about innovative strategies and courses available for visionary leaders looking to make a significant impact, including offerings from Yura's Liberate organization such Strategic Planning for Visionary Leaders: An 8-Week Accelerator for Arts and Culture Changemakers

• Empowering the Arts: Expand your perception of art and who defines it, as Yura breaks conventions and champions the powerful role of art in social change.

Resources from the Episode:

• LiberArte Inc.: An organization focused on arts and social justice, supporting grassroots initiatives and nurturing creativity.

• Protectores de la Tierra: An AfroIndigenous Food Access Project in Nuquí, Chocó, Colombia, supported by LiberArte Inc.

• Echoing Green Fellowship: Supporting emerging social entrepreneurs and innovators globally.

• Institute for Creative Disruptors: Offering strategic planning courses for visionary leaders.

  • Strategic Planning for Visionary Leaders: An 8-Week Accelerator: A course designed for arts and culture leaders of the global majority.

• Tambacum: A traditional music group from Nuquí, Chocó, Colombia, known for blending rhythms like Tamborito and Cumbancha. They are celebrated for their community-driven performances and cultural heritage preservation.

 

Bio:

Yura Sapi (they/them) is a visionary leader, healing artist, and Earth steward committed to cultivating a globally just future. As the co-founder of Protectores de la Tierra, Yura Sapi nurtures a transformative food sovereignty initiative in Nuquí, Chocó, Colombia. Rooted in ancestral Afro-Indigenous farming practices and guided by the wisdom of nature, the project empowers local communities by addressing food insecurity, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering environmental sustainability. Through this work, Yura also bridges global Black and Indigenous solidarity, inspired by the abundance found in tending to the Earth.

Food Sovereignty & Community Building
Protectores de la Tierra focuses on regenerating forest farms using sustainable agricultural methods that blend traditional practices with modern strategies. The initiative educates future generations of farmers to secure local food sources and reverse migration trends, ensuring thriving, self-sufficient communities with access to nutritious food. Yura’s work in Nuquí directly addresses reliance on external food sources, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and national strikes, by rebuilding local food production.

Arts & Activism Leadership
Yura is also the founder and CEO of LiberArte Inc., a nonprofit advancing racial, social, and climate justice through the arts. Their initiatives include the Building Our Own Tables podcast, which amplifies BIPOC creatives and leaders building autonomous, justice-driven programs. LiberArte supports artists globally through grants, educational programming, and grassroots organizing, emphasizing anti-racism and decolonization. LiberArte's work spans continents, blending creative activism, healing practices, and grassroots organizing to promote collective liberation.

Cultural Resilience & Global Solidarity
With roots in their Indigenous Kichwa heritage and citizenships in Ecuador, Colombia, and the United States, Yura’s journey reflects a dedication to healing, equity, and cultural resilience beyond borders. Their studies in meditation, anti-oppressive facilitation, and arts management enrich their approach to social change, guided by gratitude for ancestors, mentors, and the Earth itself. Yura envisions a future grounded in justice and abundance, where creativity and community transform the world.

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