Today, I’m joined by Ajuan Mance, a visual artist and educator who recently published an illustrated encyclopedia titled, Living While Black: Portraits of Everyday Resistance. The book features around forty illustrations of activities that are perfectly legal, but for which African Americans have been arrested, harassed, or even killed. In our conversation, Ajuan provides some context for why she created this body of work and reflects on stylistic choices, including her decision to portray Black people how she sees them: resilient, loving, and joyful. There’s a powerful juxtaposition in the formatting of the book. On one side of the page, Ajuan includes colorful illustrations of everyday life, and on the other side, there’s a description of the weighty subject matter. Whether it’s a glare at a high-end supermarket or a not-so-routine traffic stop, Living While Black illuminates stories that don't make the major news cycle, but are so important to understand the daily discrimination that Black people endure for simply existing. Ajuan also highlights some of her personal takeaways from the illustration process. The scope and age range of Black people who are subject to violence continues to shock her, but she hopes this book will call attention to the narratives and stereotypes that deeply harm her community. Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Castbox, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: ● Ajuan’s personal relationship to Living While Black ● What it was like for Ajuan to do such a large collection of drawings around the violence and harassment of Black people ● Ajuan’s decision to include a timeline of events at the end of the book ● How the non black people's perceptions of African Americans put African Americans in danger ● Ajuan’s strategy for illustrating the community that’s left in the wake of traumatic events ● The message that Ajuan hopes to leave readers with Guest Info: ● Living While Black: Portraits of Everyday Resistance ● Ajuan's Website ● Ajuan's Instagram Follow Me: ● My LinkedIn ● Art Heals All Wounds Website ● Art Heals All Wounds Instagram ● Art Heals All Wounds Twitter ● Art Heals All Wounds Facebook ● Art Heals All Wounds Newsletter