Autonomy Is My Joy 2024

At the Center for Cultural Power, we believe that art and storytelling can transform society, especially when they center on the lived experiences of BIPOC communities. Our "Autonomy is My Joy" campaign embodies this vision by amplifying narratives championing bodily autonomy and gender justice through an intersectional lens. In this pivotal moment leading up to the 2024 election, we are honored to bring this campaign to life at Culture Con in Brooklyn, NY on October 5th-6th. This immersive art installation will inspire dialogue, reflection, and civic engagement to defend bodily autonomy, particularly for those historically stripped of those rights.

“Autonomy is My Joy” showcases a stunning video series featuring multigenerational BIPOC storytellers from across the country including Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, California, and New York. These videos, produced in collaboration with Inspire Justice, tackle intersectional issues such as criminalization, immigration, land movement, voting empowerment, workplace equity, environmental justice, and reproductive rights. Through this series of deeply personal and powerful videos, these storytellers not only share their personal experiences with autonomy but also offer visions of liberation and resilience. 

Watch the full Autonomy Is My Joy Playlist here! 

By spotlighting these stories in such a resonant space, we aim to foster meaningful conversations and galvanize attendees to take action to protect autonomy in every way—whether by voting, advocating for gender autonomy, or supporting movements for social justice.

At Culture Con, we will recreate the warmth and nostalgia of a '90s BIPOC grandma’s living room, a space that strikes a particularly emotional chord with many. Calling on the refuge of “Grandma’s living”, what has been a safe-haven and cultural beacon for many, reflects both the struggles and the generational resilience of our communities. The Center for Cultural Power is committed to cultivating community through art in this way: naming the vulnerable human experience of navigating historically oppressive systems and institutions that threaten our autonomy. It’s through this communion, that we uncover a path forward.

Visitors will watch the video series framed in this familiar, comforting environment, bridging personal narratives with broader social movements. Additionally, attendees can participate in our interactive “Grandma’s blanket-weaving station,” where they’ll share their thoughts on civic engagement and weave their own stories into a collective tapestry of change.

This campaign is more than an art activation—it is a call to action. As we face critical decisions in the 2024 election and beyond, we must center the voices of BIPOC communities in the fight for gender and bodily autonomy. Join us at Culture Con to experience these powerful stories and be part of the movement for social change. Stay connected by following our campaign videos as they launch on social media, and reach out if your organization is interested in amplifying these stories further. Together, we can ensure that our collective joy and autonomy fuel the transformative changes our communities deserve.

The Cultural Power and Cultural Engagement Lab artwork below will be featured at our Autonomy Is My Joy Storytelling installation:

	David Perrin	Rising in the Light
	Tochi J. Nworu	Strength in Numbers
	Amir Khadar	Weaving a Future with Strings of the Past
	Shoreigh Williams	Our Future, Our Choice
	Kayla Kosaki	Love In Action
	Carrie Curley	Traditions
	Alex Albadree	We All Belong
	Angelica Frausto	We Have The Power
	Paige Pettibon	Vote
	Gabriela Aleman	Voting Should Be For Everyone
	Nimah Gobir	Freedom to Vote
	Pauline C. Cuevas	Reproductive Justice
	Courtney Brooks	Growth Makes Cents
	Lacy Talley	A Crystle Collective Change
	CozCon	TransJoyHeals
	Emulsify	Abortion Is Sacred