Healing Out Loud: Why Young Black Creatives Need Access to Recovery | Asiyah Martin | TEDxTWU
In this independently organized TEDx talk, multidisciplinary artist Asiyah Martin explores the intersection of creativity, recovery, and access, sharing her personal journey of overcoming substance dependency as a young Black artist. Through experience, Martin highlights the critical role that creative expression plays in the recovery process and the barriers that many artists, particularly artists of color, face in accessing both substance abuse treatment and creative spaces.By weaving personal storytelling with compelling statistics, Martin sheds light on the lack of representation of Black individuals in recovery spaces and the urgent need for rehabilitation programs that integrate artistic healing, sharing how returning to dance and pursuing her MFA became a key component of her long-term sobriety. In this talk, Martin not only inspires but also advocates for more accessible recovery options that recognize the power of creativity in healing. Asiyah Martin is a multidisciplinary artist from Houston, Texas, celebrated for weaving dance, film, and spoken word into powerful, expressive works. She holds a BA in Dance Studies and is currently pursuing her MFA in Dance, set to graduate in May 2025. As a choreographer, Asiyah values musicality, fluidity, and exploring the many ways that dancers can be in relationship within her work. Before returning to academia, she worked as a freelance video producer, crafting content for organizations such as Pure Movement Dance Company, Kilgore College, and KNowBox Dance. Asiyah has led dance film workshops at institutions including the Texas Dance Educators Association, Katy High School, Missouri State University, and Texas Woman’s University. A passionate sobriety advocate for young Black creatives, she has been invited to speak on platforms such as the Sober Black Girls Club, TWU Smart Talks, and at local fundraising events supporting substance abuse awareness. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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