We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Novi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Novi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I love this question. As creatives/artists we know all too well the trope of an artist coming from an unsupportive household (likely due to the parents’ fear of the child becoming a “starving artist,” and living in their basement the rest of their life). I’m grateful that this isn’t MY experience. Parents don’t always get it right but I think it’s a beautiful practice to reflect on what they DID get right, so now to answer your question…

My parents, specifically my mother, did a lot of things right by me! You know, I’ve always had what I needed, you know, in the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs sort of deal– a roof over my head, clothes on my back, (good) food on the table, and experiences to nourish my soul. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t name that I had a lot of what people would consider “luxuries” growing up too. Due to my father’s place of origin, and my mother’s unwavering love of travel, I grew up traveling the world and experiencing a lot of beautiful things. From a very young age my mother exposed me to travel and it definitely shaped my understanding of the work, the way in which I navigated the world, and furthermore, how expressed myself and understood who I wanted to be in the world.

Travel for my family was less about racking up the air miles and passport stamps, it was more about exploration and learning a new. As this pertains to my career(s) and creativity, I attribute a great deal of my achievements to my mom’s commitment to my exploration—not just through travel, but in life.

I believe exploration to be an incredibly important and necessary gift for children and young developing people. Exploration, in many cases, provides the space to test to hypothesize things that you like, things that you dislike, and how you like them, and I think that’s such an invaluable thing to encourage of another to do, especially a child. As a young person/emerging creative (or any person, really), I think having the space (or more so, a “brave space”) to explore encourages real and deep understanding of self, values, who/how you want to be in this world is incredibly important. Exploration creates conditions for us to become acquainted with our authentic-selves—where I believe to be energy source to unlocking creativity.

So yeah, allowing/encouraging me to explore was definitely what the parental did right!

Dr. Novi, 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?

Well, my name is Dr. Novien Yarber, I go by Novi (or Dr. Novi). I wear many hats, to say the least. I currently serve as the Director of Leadership, Philanthropy & Social Impact in The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego. That respective work involves coaching, teaching and training that centers socially-just and conscious leadership development, prosocial behaviors, civic engagement, and creative/artistic expression. I develop and co-facilitate a number of BIPOC- and equity-centered programs including Californians4All College Corps, the Black “InGenius” Initiative, and the Embodied Leadership for Liberative Artistry program. Through this role I also co-facilitate Horizon Leadership, a program of sustainable leadership development for equity-focused practitioners working at the intersections of social and environmental issues affecting the health and well-being in communities of concern. Beyond this flavor of work, I’m a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the San Diego Foster Youth Mentoring Program, adjunct instructor at USD, president of the San Diego chapter of the Gates Millennium Scholars Alumni Association, serve as board member to local arts organizations, and professional artist and performer. Fortunately I’ve been able to honor my creative identity through all this work; still working in the commercial dance industry, serving as an instructor at the renowned CultureShock San Diego, and am currently venturing into the podcasting world— stay tuned :)

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

This might be an odd answer, but it feels authentic to say, ha. I will say that what I enjoy most about being an artist/creative, or what I enjoy most about “artist/creative” being associated with my identity/persona, is that I don’t live by the same rules as everyone else, ha. Let me explain…

In my experience as a “creative” people automatically assume “different” of me—meaning that my being, thinking and doing is outside of the norm and is totally expected… most have referred to it as being “eclectic.” I believe as a creative you’re emboldened, and essentially empowered, to be a rule-breaker (in the legal sense of course, ha). I also think this “being different” is quite alluring in the sense that I can sit comfortably in being a “mystery” or being “complex” and people not quite having me “figured out;” that’s where I can comfortably sit and reinvent myself, it’s quite liberating actually.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely! I was always told, “your talent is a gift from God, what you do with it is a gift back” (or something akin). With that in mind, I believe the gift of creativity (or whatever art form we have been gifted from the heavens/kosmos) is not only a form of self-expression, but is an offering to others that betters their lives– especially if you produce art for public consumption. So, in my creative journey I try center not only what feels good to create, but how what I create might make others feel. This mission or philosophy informs a great deal of my work on and beyond the stage. As I hope, my creative pursuits should have positive social impact and be an invitation to exploration, discovery and healing for myself and those who resonate with what’s created.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/_novien_
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/NovienYarber
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/novienyarber/

Image Credits
Samantha Zauscher (@samzauschphoto)