The
Story
All of us have two stories. One that we tell to the outside world; a story that is altered, perfected and keeps the shadows in the dark. The second story is that one we tell ourselves, it’s laced with criticism and shame for what we believe is lacking. When we only share certain elements of lives with others and criticize ourselves behind closed doors we disconnect from those around us.
Shame thrives in a capitalist, white supremacist, and puritanical culture—a culture that tells us we’re not good enough, we’re not doing enough, and that we aren’t enough unless we have certain things or live a particular way.
While we are fixated on fixing ourselves with material things provided by capitalists, those same capitalists are committing injustices to our people and planet.
What if we collectively chose to slow down, heal, and create a story about ourselves where we are whole, enough, proud of our uniqueness, and rooted in our divinity.
Tune out from the social media that’s perpetually commoditizing our human experience and tune into the stories here that beckon your humanity.
Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, if you ever find that you’re silencing or hiding yourself, remember the mantras “fuck shame” and “make love.”
The
Host
Hi, I’m Célange.
I’m a certified yoga teacher, Hellenistic astrologer, and environmentalist based in Baltimore, MD.
My purpose is driven by this one belief statement: we will only learn how to sustain life on this planet if we learn to sustain our own lives.
What does that really mean?
It means learning our personal capacities, honoring our bodies when they ask for rest, and seeing yourself reflected in all living things. This requires us to understand that we are part of an ecosystem and for that ecosystem to function we must allow ourselves to connect with the people and nature around us.
It is my hope and intention to build a platform that highlights how alike we all are, inspire an audience to feel that they are enough, and build a community that uses its agency to fight for a just and sustainable planet- for our only home.
The
Team
Editor
Hi! I’m Gil.
I’m an eighth grade social studies teacher, which is as exciting and challenging as it sounds. I aim to be the educator I never had, providing my students with the love and guidance they need to navigate the real world. My activism starts in the classroom. I’ve found the best way to dismantle structures that work against poor, black and brown people, like my students, is to teach the younger generations about how they are systematically discriminated against. By engaging in my lessons, students should learn how to advocate for themselves against and within these systems. I want them to understand and feel the connection between themselves and their comrades facing similar circumstances across the globe.
Ultimately, I hope for a world where these young people are innately valued, where they can thrive in their raw forms without fear of judgement or punishment. I hope that I can provide that space for my students, even if it is just for the sixty minutes they’re within the confines of my classroom walls.
Photographer
Hi! I'm Sam.
I’m a visual storyteller based in Baltimore, MD. Before that, I’m a friend, a big sister, a daughter, a lover, a seeker of light and laughter, an environmentalist, a home cook, a feminist, an avid podcast listener, a smiling stranger on the street, etc.
In my work and creative endeavors, I’m drawn to narratives that center the natural world and how we interact with it. I love collaborating on stories that live in the intersections of agriculture, foodways, gender theory, and community resilience. I’ve got big dreams of living off the land with my community (but for now I’m working on keeping hose plants alive).
My libra sun keeps me a fluttering social butterfly, but gets me in trouble when I catch myself playing devil’s advocate and overcommitting my time. As a cancer rising and pisces moon, I love fiercely, wear my heart on my sleeve and I love to meander down memory lane. Thank the stars above for the people that hold me tight through it all.
I’ve called Charm City home for a little over a year now and I am so excited to continue to find and foster community with the beautiful folks behind DGX.
Writer
Hi, I’m Niya.
I'm a Baltimore native, aspiring herbalist, and lifelong lover of words—raised on library visits with my dad that stretched my tiny world across oceans, planets, and time periods.
My heart is rooted in amplifying the voices of the community that shaped me, sharing its heart and complexity with the world. I hope to make even the smallest difference by turning scattered ideas into creative masterpieces that resonate far beyond the city limits.
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