Braids: A Conversation with Dyani White Hawk and Jovan C. Speller

In the short film Braids, artists Dyani White Hawk and Jovan C. Speller intertwine the voices of their mothers, Sandy and Carolyn, into a lyrical meditation on history, nurturing, and belonging. Their words weave strands of inheritance and connection, honoring the beauty and complexity of cultural lineage.

Join the artists for a conversation revisiting the themes of Braids—a poetic reflection on the deep intersections between Indigenous and African American cultures and ways that these traditions weave together community, memory, and identity. They’ll discuss discrimination, challenges, the inheritance of colonization, and balancing hard work with everyday life. Braids is currently on view in the exhibition Dyani White Hawk: Love Language.

An interdisciplinary artist and activist, Speller examines how contemporary policies continue to shape Black and Indigenous experiences, how the legacies of colonialism persist in daily life, and how Speller’s and White Hawk’s creative practices work toward a deeper understanding of their identities. Through art and dialogue, she honors these intertwined histories while asking how we can show up for one another and (re)build relationships toward a more connected and equitable future.

This event requires a free ticket; registration is available online. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Gallery admission is free on Thursday nights, 5 to 9 pm.