Leonard Tshitenge

L: photo courtesy of the artist; R: illustration by Indramadhana

Project Description

Leonard Tshitenge will create "Black Fathers Are Sleeping with One Eye Open," a creative arts experience that is animated, interactive, and connects spoken word, expressive writing, and multidisciplinary arts. This experience is a tool to radically address the absent father households in the city of Boston and to reform policies and practices in key areas that are deeply rooted in systematic disparities related to health/mental health, as well as racial and economic injustice in the City of Boston. The experience will address key areas impacting vulnerable low-income Black fathers while advancing creativity in the arts. Leonard's goal is to promote the use of artistic approaches to advance the causes of marginalized, low-income Black Fathers, including social justice, social issues, and the growth of community building. His hopes are that participants will empower the expression of emotions, social issues, and thoughts that in turn improve mental and emotional wellness.

Artist Bio

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, Leonard Tshitenge (he/him) is a dynamic poet, speaker, coach, and consultant. He holds a M.S. In Psychology/Mental Health. Leonard uses an artistic approach to advance the causes of social justice and grow community building while investigating social determinants of mental health. In 2013, He founded Consciously Exposed to serve organizations and universities with a keen focus on diversity and inclusion, and to elevate the rights of marginalized people and communities in the United States. His arts, workshops, lectures, and community-building events have been a successful way of improving human rights. He has helped create more empathetic, equitable, and prosperous communities by enabling organizations to elevate the cultural intelligence of diverse consumers.