We were lucky to catch up with Ferene Paris recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ferene, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

“Nothing I accept about myself can be used against me to diminish me.” -Audre Lorde
“Love is an action – never just a feeling.” -bell hooks

I taught my first storytelling class at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in 2019 while working full-time at the University of Vermont. I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams: Voices of Color Through Storytelling was an affinity-based class for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Vermont residents. This new Flynn collaboration aspired to create space for BIPOC voices to be heard, finding connection and a sense of belonging through shared narratives. I was able to provide our local BIPOC community with a storytelling space to learn and affirm one another, minimizing the impact of microaggressions and harm. At the end of our storytelling series, we celebrated with a story slam opened to the community. It was such a beautiful gift of reciprocity between the storytellers and the receivers of the stories.

I know how it feels to experience spaces in our Vermont community and constantly see others who don’t look and feel like you. My inspiration for starting this class was because I was the only person of color in a previous class I took at Flynn. It was hard to find my voice and have trust in a storytelling class surrounded by white people. I wanted to create the space I wished I had and am deeply grateful that Flynn said yes to starting affinity-based storytelling classes.

My Voices of Color Storytelling class was the last event at the Flynn before the pandemic hit, Tuesday, March 10th, 2020. During my remarks that evening as an emcee, I reflected on my mental health journey, sharing intimate stories about navigating life with anxiety and depression. Through the art of storytelling, I found healing, and it reignited my soul to envision a new purpose. I hope to curate more storytelling showcases and uplift the voices of our community. It truly was a life-changing project!

Ferene, 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?

Hello Amazing Human!

All Heart Inspirations manifested amid the COVID pandemic, serving as a much-needed light for myself and others. I founded All Heart in 2020, taking a leap of faith in the transformative power of human stories! It’s been quite a whimsical journey, and I feel deeply blessed to do this purposeful work.

As a storyteller, I create heart-centered spaces through live performances, interactive workshops, and community engagements. Known for living out loud as a Black Haitian femme artist, I embody courageous truth-telling and vulnerable vibes. I’m committed to making a collective difference within my local Vermont community and beyond – one story at a time.

I’ve manifested over 150+ offerings since beginning this journey, uplifting the narratives of various voices. My work is guided by my values and salient identities, inspiring events centering BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, students/educators, mothers, small business owners, mental health, BLM Movement, and more.

Highlights include opening up for Dr. Angela Davis and Angélique Kidjo, emceeing story slams, heartfelt keynotes, storytelling workshops, artist residencies, and guest appearances on a variety of Vermont Public programs such as Brave Little State, Homegoings, and Vermont Edition, as well as Seven Days’ Stuck in Vermont. My feature on Vermont Public’s Homegoings was nominated for an Emmy in the Best Interview/Discussion category. I was also recognized by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) as one of the two 2023 awardees of the Rebecca Blunk Fund Award for my community-building efforts through the art of storytelling.

One of my proudest signature events is our annual sailing event on Lake Champlain! All Heart Inspirations and Whistling Man Schooner Co (WMSC). have manifested Black joy on the water since 2021. We gift Black Vermont residents a sailing adventure in honor of Juneteenth. This event is free for our local Black community through sponsorships and crowdfund donations. Each year, I’ve raised between $7K – $14K. I find such healing and liberation through sailing. Beyond grateful to host our Black community on these whimsical vessels and uplift our collective stories. Learn more about Juneteenth Sails- https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/blog/post/all-heart-inspirations-juneteenth-sailing-celebration/.

Prior to becoming the founder for All Heart Inspirations in 2020, I worked in Student Affairs with new student orientation and residential learning communities for 15 years. I stay connected to higher education by speaking at conferences and visiting campuses to facilitate workshops and perform. It’s like inviting the coolest, queer Black Auntie to come over and just “love on” your community.

I truly believe we all have stories worthy of sharing. It’s a gift to yourself and those blessed to witness you.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

salt. by Nayyirah Waheed
All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde

I must expose myself to as much content by Black femmes, for Black femmes, and in the liberation of Black femmes. As a quote in a Minneapolis bathroom said, “Sometimes you have to put back on your crown and remind them who you are.” As a Black, queer femme artist existing in one of the whitest states of America, constant uplifting and hyping of the soul is vital. I can’t let the lack of representation be an excuse not to seek the representation I need. From what I follow on social media to images/mantras displayed in my spaces to consuming the brilliant words of my ancestors, I know who I am. I know where I am from. I know what I stand for. I know what I will not allow to compromise my soul. This is how I protect the gift, my voice, the storytelling purpose. Intentional invitations of who and what has access to me.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am currently going through a very painful divorce. Much of the support I had for my home, children, and business was stripped from me. It’s been a game of survival since November 2024. The exhaustion is real and deeply impacts my creativity. I am a Black single mama, raising two magical daughters and trying my best not to lose my sense of self and purpose- All Heart Inspirations. I’m trying to heal from a broken heart, break the cycle of grief, and step back into my power. I remind myself why I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams. That I, too, have power in the decisions I make. To be continued….

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @allheartinspirations

Image Credits

Isora Lithgow Creations, Jessie Dawson, Matthew Binginot, Black Cub Productions