We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Penelope Oliver a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Penelope, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

There are so many people who continue to inspire me to fight for the values I hold near and dear to my heart. I’m on this path and where I am in life because of the people I saw, and those who paved the way. When I look back on my journey I see how the power of representation, with depth, not only with someone who looked like me, but with the representation of lived experience, passion, mission, and vision, and someone with ambition.

I’ve always looked up to Madam Vice President Harris, long before she was Vice President. When I read her book, when I watched as she led with love in the Senate, I started to believe I could follow in her footsteps, or use my voice for change, or be a lawyer. It ignited this fire and sparked my activism because I knew I could be something, I was something, and I could change the world, all while staying true to myself.

I also look up to so many people who may not be in the spotlight, but who are doing the work in the community, who practice what they preach, and truly are dedicated to making change. What I love the most about them, is they know we rise by lifting others, and continue to amplify, collaborate, and uplift all.

Penelope, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My work, in short, is centered around the intersection of everything justice and in correlation with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Housing justice, economic justice, climate justice, gender justice, educational equity, voting rights, mental health, animal rights, human rights, just to name a few. I use arts to bring attention to causes I care about through poetry, mixed media, and writing, and I also use my voice as a journalist to shine a light on current affairs, social justice, and youth action.

I’ve written legislation and continue to lobby for legislation and policy changes on the local, state, national, and international levels (with United Nations NGOs). I also focus on politics, international relations and diplomacy, advocacy, creating opportunities for youth engagement, training others, leading workshops, and advising and collaborating with other organizations and coalitions leading the fight. I also was recently named a Presidental Scholar by the Biden-Harris Administration, and use that position and title to help ensure everyone has a chance to receive and equitable education.

After receiving a grant from Chalk it Up Sacramento about 2 years ago, I started a 501c3 nonprofit called All Access Arts, where we provide trauma-informed youth programming to 6 partner organizations 3 times a week. Our family nonprofit works with Sacramento area shelters and community centers in Sacramento bringing Arts, STEM, Animals, Nature, Civics, Theater, Music, Purposeful Play, and everything in between through programming and experiences, to around 100+ kids and families every week. Our framework and philosophy surround belonging, creating a safe and casual space, and showing up weekly to form relationships and trust with everyone we work with. Currently, our community we connect with is focused on new refugee children, primarily from Palestine, Iraq, and Syria, young mothers and their children, children impacted by gun violence and community violence, children in homeless shelters, children unhoused in city-funded motel systems, and children who are currently on waitlists for homeless shelters who couch surfing, living in cars or tents. We are 100 percent grassroots, and for the community, by the community, and we go where there is most need for trauma-informed youth programs in the greater Sacramento area.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I find it so incredibly rewarding to share with others what I’ve learned, empowering others, and hearing about the changes they want to see. Whether this is in the form of mentoring other young activists, coaching them one-on-one, teaching workshops, leading sessions, speaking at events, or all of the above, it never ceases to bring me joy.

With All Access Arts, nothing is better than seeing the kids relax, express themselves, find peace, and feel safe and supported!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

My advice to all would be to stay true to yourself, be authentic, be kind, and have compassion and empathy for others. You will encounter so many people who may be in this work for the wrong reason, who will tear you down, and you will see them receive connections, or recognition, but it will catch on to them at some point, but genuine passion will always rise above. You also don’t need to wait for anything to get started fighting for justice; all we have is now. It’s the everyday actions, the small things, like joining a club in the community or volunteering that make an impact, and contribute to creating a more equitable world. All you need is you to get started! The future of advocacy is finding people in the ground doing the work becase they care, not for personal gain. We are the change we seek to see, if we have the kindness in our hearts to be it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.allaccessarts.org/
• Instagram: @penelopethepowerfulpoet
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penelope-oliver-4785a023a/

Image Credits

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