Join us for

UAB Arts in Medicine

10th Anniversary Celebration

November 19

5 p.m.

Alys Stephens Center

Reception with Hors’doeuvres & beverages

Various art activities and experiences throughout the Alys Stephens Center lobbies

Live music by Davis Little and AIM Artist in Residence, Haleigh Black.

Featuring  “Color Response,” an interactive art experience facilitated by artist Annie Kammerer Butrus.


6:00 pm

Dr. David Fakunle presents A Reaffirmation of Humanity
Storytelling and music experience in the Sirote Theatre

Dr. Jill Sonke presents Arts Engagement As A Social Determinant of Health: What is the Evidence?
Sharing the latest arts and health research and initiatives happening around the world. Presentations will be followed by a conversation and audience Q & A


7:15 pm

Performance by Healing Harmonies & Healthcare Harmonies Choirs 

Healthcare Harmonies is the UAB Medicine Staff Choir. This choir is composed of doctors, nurses, social workers, environmental services workers, hospital leadership, and more—anyone who impacts patient care at UAB Medicine.

Sirote Theatre
with a special appearance by Shaheed and DJ Supreme

The evening will also include a special presentation by Birmingham’s Inaugural Poet Laureate, Salaam Green, and the unveiling of a newly commissioned work by artist Annie Kammerer Butrus for UAB Medicine.

For performance lyrics click here.


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Meet Our Speakers & Featured Artists

David Olawuyi Fakunle, Ph.D. is a “mercenary for change,” employing the necessary skills and occupying the necessary spaces to help strengthen everyone divested from their truest self, particularly those who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or a Person of Color. David serves as Assistant Professor of Public and Allied Health at the Morgan State University School of Community Health & Policy, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine, and Associate Faculty in Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. David’s interests include stressors within the built environment, manifestations of systemic oppression, and the utilization of arts and culture to cultivate holistic health through humanity, justice, equity and ultimately, liberation.

Additionally, David has applied artistic and cultural practices such as Black storytelling, African drumming, singing and theater in the proclamation of truth for over 25 years, collaborating primarily with organizations in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. region. Among many affiliations, David is co-founder and CEO of DiscoverME/RecoverME, an organization that utilizes the African oral tradition to empower use of storytelling for healing and growth, previously served as Executive Director of WombWork Productions, a Baltimore-based social change performing arts company, and serves as Chair of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the first state-level commission in the U.S. dedicated to chronicling and bringing justice to racial terror lynchings.


Environmental portrait of UF researcher Jill Sonke for Explore Magazine taken at the J. Wayne Reitz Union dance studio G010 on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 in Gainesville, Fla. What if your doctor gave you a prescription for a concert or an art class? In the United Kingdom, patients who participate in or even just attend cultural activities have demonstrated health outcomes. A UF team is leading the implementation of this concept in the US. (Photo by Matt Stamey)

Jill Sonke, PhD, is a Research Professor and Director of Research Initiatives in the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida (UF), Director of National Research and Impact for the One Nation/One Project initiative, and Co-director of the EpiArts Lab, a National Endowment for the Arts Research Lab in partnership with University College London. She is an affiliated faculty member in the UF School of Theatre & Dance, the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, the Center for African Studies, and the STEM Translational Communication Center, and is an editorial board member for Health Promotion Practice journal.

Dr. Sonke served during the pandemic as a senior advisor to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Confidence and Demand Team on the COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Task Force and currently serves on the steering committee and as an Affiliated Researcher in the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Steinhardt School at New York University, Community Jameel, and CULTURUNNERS.

With 30 years of experience and leadership in the field of arts in health and a PhD in arts in public health from Ulster University in Northern Ireland, Jill is active in research and policy advocacy nationally and internationally. She is an artist and a mixed methods researcher with a current focus on population-level health outcomes associated with arts and cultural participation, arts in public health, and the arts in health communication. She is the recipient of a New Forms Florida Fellowship Award, a State of Florida Individual Artist Fellowship Award, a NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award, a UF Internationalizing the Curriculum Award, a UF Most Outstanding Service Learning Faculty Award, a UF Public Health Champions award, a UF Cross-Campus Faculty Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and over 350 grants for her programs and research at the University of Florida.


headshot of Salaam GreenSalaam Green is the inaugural poet laureate of Birmingham, Alabama. The prestigious position recognizes Salaam’s outstanding contributions to the literary arts and her commitment to fostering a deeper appreciation for poetry within the community. She is the 2024 Literary Arts Awardee, and her works are published in the Alabama Arts Journal, Southern Women’s Review, and Black Joy Anthology. Salaam is the founder of Literary Healing Arts and is a certified Listener Poet. She debuted a full-length poetry collection this year with Pulley Press. 


Annie Kammerer Butrus’ (b. Evanston, Illinois) is an award-winning artist with an M.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from the University of Notre Dame and a B.A. from Wellesley College, where she studied architecture, landscape architecture and studio art. She exhibits her work in major cities, galleries and academic institutions. Notable public and private collections, such as the Children’s Hospital of Alabama, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Dotdash Meredith Collection and the Wellesley College Rare Book Arts Collection hold her work. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Art Papers, and The Birmingham News have reviewed her work. She was awarded an Alabama State Arts Council Grant and was given the “Emerging Artist Award” by the Magic City Art Connection in Birmingham. Butrus has taught at the University of Notre Dame, Space One Eleven, and the Birmingham Museum of Art. She lives and works in Birmingham, Alabama, where she conducts her Color Response Community Art Project and is a member of Ground Floor Contemporary. Realized primarily through painting, Butrus’ artistic practice focuses on the intersection of science, landscape, and memory. Her interest lies in how mapping shapes our idea of place and belonging, how to document change and time, and how often the source of our interaction with nature is from the inside looking out. Her process employs many series of latex resist and layers of opaque and translucent acrylic paint, applied in succession to create lines and boundaries. Labor intensive, the resist application records the act of painting, allows complete control of the painted surface and then, once removed, transforms the painting over and over, creating positive and negative voids. 


Joycelyn Whatley HeadshotJoycelyn Whatley is a retired music educator who enjoys sharing her love of music and theatre with others. Currently, Mrs. Whatley is the minister of music at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church and an adjunct professor at Lawson State Community College. She also sings with a band and music directs youth productions of shows, having most recently worked with Virginia Samford Theatre STARS production of Legally Blonde, Jr., and Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance’s Hadestown: Teen Edition. In her spare time, Mrs. Whatley spends time with her husband, Sam and son, Keyton. Joycelyn is so excited to be working with Arts in Medicine directing the Healing Harmonies Choir. 


Shaheed HeadshotShaheed & DJ Supreme: At the roots of hip-hop—now a global phenomenon that speaks words of hope and compassion to people in their own language—are guardians of its precious gem of simplicity. Shaheed and DJ Supreme are two such sages, reminding future generations that all you need to tell your story are your rhymes and a rhythm to run it through. 

The timeless duo from Birmingham, AL keeps it real, using hip-hop to spread wisdom through their multiple LPs and live performances alongside acts like Scarface, Jurassic 5, Atmosphere, The Jungle Brothers, and more. Over the years, they’ve represented Alabama under the Communicating Vessels label while promoting community-based initiatives through their non-profit K.R.U. (Knowledge, Rhythm, and Understanding). 


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Current Artists in Residence, Creative Arts Therapists, and Teaching Artists:

Meet the Current Artists in Residence, Creative Arts Therapists, and Teaching Artists, a diverse group of talented individuals who bring their passion and expertise to our programs. Some have been collaborating with us for years, building lasting connections and leaving a profound impact, while others are just beginning their journey with us, infusing fresh ideas and energy. Together, they inspire creativity, foster healing, and empower individuals through art, education, and therapeutic practices.

Anne Markham Bailey
Dr. Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk
Dr. Lisa Gibbs
Jamie Kilgore
Wendy Walters
David West
Lauren Maleski
Amy Sides
Frannier James

AVIVI BEHEL

Avivi Behel is a professional calligrapher, hand engraver, and visual artist who’s been featured in national publications. A self-taught artist, she has a degree in communications from Auburn University. Her eclectic work experience as a childbirth teacher and doula, in ministry, in sports and health care marketing, in the nonprofit sector, and in owning her own calligraphy business all have pointed to this space and time as an artist with UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM). It’s her joy and journey to meet people where they are, with the tools they’ve been given and developed, and walk alongside them to create in ways they may not have imagined possible. She finds inspiration in the kindness of her husband, the paths blazed by her adult daughters, the majesty of creation, and almost anything made of chocolate. 

Haleigh Black

Haleigh has been immersed in the world of music as a violinist and vocalist since the age of three. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from UAB and studied music therapy for two years at the University of Alabama. Since joining UAB Arts in Medicine in 2019, Haleigh has conducted research, led group sessions on music and self-care, and performed in the hospital and throughout the community. Her passion for singing and playing violin has opened doors for her to explore how people worldwide are connected and moved by music. She studied traditional music in Turkey, Greece, and Israel, and she has traveled throughout Europe and the US in pursuit of music and cultural exchange. Today, she shares her music as an offering to build a sense of community, alleviate depression and anxiety, and enhance overall well-being. 

Cristal Brister

Cristal Laraé Brister is a creative catalyst for change. She draws on a background of more than 14 years of experience in traditional and applied theatre, youth development, the nonprofit sector, and community building. Her interests lie at the intersection of the arts, advocacy, and policy. Cristal is the owner and principal facilitator of Cristal Clear Strategies and is committed to elevating the voices of those whose stories have been historically marginalized. In her personal artistic practice, you will find her acting on stage, on camera, and working with UAB Arts in Medicine to premiere her experiential group theatre project, Playback Theatre. 

Sunny Davenport

Sunny Speaker Davenport is a board-certified music therapist who has been practicing for twenty-five years. Sunny received a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from the University of Alabama. She was a founding member of the hospital-wide music therapy program at UAB Hospital in 1999, becoming the first full-time music therapist at a medical hospital in the state of Alabama. While at UAB, she also completed training in Neurologic Music Therapy at the Center for Biomedical Research in Music at Colorado State University. She initiated an adaptive music lesson program in 2012 at ArtPlay, where she taught lessons to children and young adults with special needs, enabling them to perform within the community. In 2019, Sunny joined UAB Arts in Medicine to implement music therapy services for pediatric palliative care patients at Children’s Hospital of Alabama. She currently also provides music therapy sessions in the pediatric ICU and for cardiovascular services at Children’s. Sunny is most passionate about working with patients at end of life, facilitating sessions that use music to provide emotional support to patients and families while creating opportunities for them to make peaceful positive memories together during hospitalization.  

Valerie Hanks

Valerie Hanks serves as a Registered Art Therapist for a wide range of patients and families from pediatrics and teens at Children’s Hospital of Alabama to adults throughout UAB Hospital. Valerie received her Master of Arts in Art Therapy with an Emphasis in Counseling at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. Valerie is a member of the American Art Therapy Association and the Alabama Art Therapy Association. She is passionate about art and the powerful way it can enhance a patient’s well-being and increase opportunities for communicating through the creative processes. Valerie enjoys bringing a small bit of joy through art into a patient’s life and helping the patient tell a part of their story. She considers it a privilege to offer art therapy to patients and families, knowing this gift has the potential to continue to benefit them emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and physically for the rest of their lives. In her personal life, Valerie finds joy in her faith, family, hiking, traveling, and connections with friends. 

Sarah Heath

Sarah Heath received her BFA from the University of Kansas, her MFA from the University of Georgia, and her MSW from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Sarah has been on faculty in the Department of Art and Art History at UAB since 2016 and is also a Program Therapist at Accanto Eating Disorder Recovery Centers. Both in her clinical practice and in her classroom, Sarah is a true believer in the power of art to aid in discovery and in healing and recovery. She is committed to serving her community through volunteering and outreach, and has led classes, workshops, and community outreach programs through the arts at Birmingham Museum of Art, Children’s Hospital, UAB Hospitals, St. Vincent‘s Hospitals, The Dance Foundation, Sloss Metal Arts, The Interfaith Hospitality House, MAKEbhm, YWCA of Central Alabama, Jesse’s Place for Women and Children, Aletheia house, First Light Shelter, Episcopal Place Senior Living, and more.  

Mary Horn

Mary Horn began her dance adventure under the tutelage of Jennie Robertson, founder 

of The Dance Foundation, starting a lifelong exploration of dance, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and design. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at The University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She was a member of the Birmingham Creative Dance Company, a founding member of Southern Danceworks, and has taught dance at UAB, The Dance Foundation, and her own school, DanceExpress in Seattle. Mary was involved in free improvisation and performance art, and has performed, presented, and conducted workshops in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and at Princeton University and Bard College. 

She is thrilled to be teaching dance, movement, games, and spatial awareness at Children’s of Alabama, St. Vincent’s East, and for the Collat Jewish Family Services through their CJFS CARES (Caring for Adults through Respite Enrichment, and Socialization) Program. Mary believes that participation in the arts is a birthright which is paramount to the development of human authenticity. 

Ellise Mayor

Ellise Pruitt Mayor studied and taught with the National Shakespeare Conservatory in NYC and has directed and performed in many productions with local theatres. She was an instructor for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival for four years in the Camp Shakespeare Rural touring program. She was the first artistic director, also serving as managing artistic director, of The Seasoned Performers, Alabama’s longest running senior theatre, and served as artistic director for the Levite Jewish Community Center for four years prior to the pandemic.  She has toured as civil rights activist Virginia Durr and Julia Tutwiler for Vulcan Park and Museum and has written and performed for Southern Dancework’s Rural Tour. She was a creative dramatics instructor for Birmingham-Southern College Conservatory for more than 25 years and is a certified TimeSlips facilitator. 

Hannah Oakes

Hannah Oakes obtained her bachelor’s degree in music therapy at The University of Alabama. She completed her internship at UAB Hospital, and has worked there with the NICU, palliative care, inpatient psychiatric, inpatient rehabilitation, and acute care. Hannah developed a deep love for neurologic rehabilitation after obtaining her Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT) certification in 2019. She went on to work at Encompass Health Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital where she specialized in stroke, pulmonary, brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease, and Spinal Cord Injury treatment. Hannah now owns the private practice, Rooted Music Therapy, which services Birmingham and Huntsville. 

Kim Richardson

Kim Richardson’s passion is cultivating inclusive yoga spaces. She is a highly experienced certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and a 500-hour registered yoga teacher (500-RYT) with Yoga Alliance. She also holds designations as a registered children’s yoga teacher (RCYT), registered prenatal yoga teacher (RPYT), and an e200-RYT with over 1,000 hours of teaching experience. With extensive training in trauma-informed approaches and accessible yoga practices, Kim has a gift for engaging individuals of all abilities. Armed with a Master of Science in urban studies, she firmly believes that yoga can be a powerful tool for transforming communities and reducing health disparities. In recognition of her work with Alabama veterans, the International Association of Yoga Therapists named her the 2024 Seva Award winner for community service in under-resourced communities. 

John Scalici

John Scalici is a well-known drum circle facilitator, author, and educator. He has been leading drum circles for over 30 years and has worked with diverse groups, from corporate teams to people with disabilities. Scalici is recognized for his expertise in using drumming as a tool for team building, stress relief, and community development. 

Scalici’s approach to drum circle facilitation emphasizes creating a supportive and inclusive environment, encouraging participants to express themselves freely. He has worked with organizations, schools, and communities worldwide, promoting the benefits of group drumming for physical and mental well-being. Scalici is highly respected in the drum circle community for his passion, expertise, and dedication to sharing the power of rhythm with others. Mr. Scalici is the recipient of the 2010 “Making a Difference” award by the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education. 

Mary Margaret Scalici

Mary Margaret Scalici has a B.A. in Dance from the University of Alabama and is currently completing her M.A. in Dance Education at Texas Woman’s University. After completing her undergraduate work Mary Margaret moved to Birmingham to join Southern Danceworks, the first modern dance company in Alabama. In addition to performing, she has built her career teaching ballet, modern dance, and Pilates at The Dance Foundation, The Alabama Ballet, and Birmingham-Southern College. She is currently teaching ballet in the musical theatre department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Red Mountain Theatre’s The Conservatory. She emphasizes body awareness in her classes, educating students about biomechanics in such a way that they can work with efficiency and power at the highest level of performance. Mary Margaret is a certified Body Arts and Sciences Institute (BASI) instructor and has incorporated Pilates in the curriculum for student and adult programs at The Alabama Ballet School and in the dance department at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. She has taught Pilates for the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive at the University of Alabama and virtually for more than ten years. Mary Margaret teaches the Dance for Parkinson’s program, a partnership between Southern Danceworks and UAB Arts in Medicine program, and Movement To Music (M2M) through the UAB/Lakeshore Collaborative.

Libby Stephens

Libby graduated from Birmingham-Southern college with a B.A. in piano performance. She then completed a music therapy equivalency degree from the University of Alabama followed by a Master of Public Administration, with a concentration in nonprofit management from UAB. She has worked as a board-certified music therapist since 2005. During her time as a music therapist, she has primarily worked in medical and psychiatric settings, working with all ages and diagnoses. She addresses patients’ social, emotional, and physical needs through a variety of music techniques, activities, and interventions. She has a passion for the arts and believes in their transformative power in healthcare settings. 

Stephanie Tatum

Stephanie has been teaching art for more than 20 years. She studied Early Childhood and Elementary Education with a specialty in Fine Arts at Auburn University at Montgomery. She is a creative and interactive teacher of art, adept at teaching various art concepts and methods in a way that’s fully engaging and insightful. She has vast experience with handicraft projects utilizing an assortment of materials. Her belief is that art encourages self-discovery and meaningful conversations and connections among students as well as fosters the development of confidence, healing, and deep joy. 

Melissa Turnage

Melissa Turnage has been a dance teaching artist in Georgia, Maryland, and Alabama. She has worked extensively in rural and city public schools, integrating dance with core curriculum. Melissa has more than forty years of experience in the dance field—performing, choreographing, and teaching. Classically trained in ballet, her expertise in creative movement and dance fundamentals has enabled her to teach all ages and abilities.  

Elizabeth Vander Kamp

Elizabeth brings decades of writing, performing, presenting, storytelling, listening, and teaching to her work.  Elizabeth has offered stories to patients at bedside, often including caregivers and staff in the story. She produced and co-hosted a celebration of UAB voices through StoryPower.  Currently, Elizabeth facilitates expressive writing through Arts in Medicine with people across the US and the UK who are living with disabilities.  She is the Founder of TRUE listening and facilitates organizational workshops in listening. Her educational background includes a BS in Psychology from Spring Hill College, and she is a Certified Behavior Change Specialist and Wellness Coach through the American Council on Exercise, a UAB Geriatric Scholar, a Level III Catechist, and a Master Gardener. Elizabeth is credentialed through TimeSlips, a work for people living with dementia, and is a certified Zentangle teacher and calligrapher.  Rooted in all of the above is Elizabeth’s passion for listening which, she believes, is a gift of love. 

Walker Wright

From a young age, Walker Wright, the ”drummer man,” was drawn to the drums – the sounds, the rhythms, and most of all, the way he felt when he played them. He got his first drum set at the age of six, and today is living his childhood dreams as a professional drummer, REMO-endorsed artist, and drum circle facilitator. After seeing the joy that drumming can bring to all people, regardless of their age, health, or special needs, Walker created Rejoicing Rhythms to inspire joyful expression and creativity through drumming and music, combining his passion for drumming and percussion with his background in healthcare and wellness. When he’s not drumming, you can find Walker in Birmingham, Alabama, spending time with his wife Mendy, and their two amazing teenage children, Sully and Adde. 

Founding Artists in Residence, Creative Arts Therapists, and Teaching Artists:

Meet our Founding Artists in Residence, Creative Arts Therapists, and Teaching Artists, the visionaries who laid the foundation for our vibrant creative community. Their enduring contributions and dedication continue to inspire, heal, and empower through the transformative power of the arts.

Marie Blair
Carrie May Ezell
Amelia Lane
Nicole Camp
Kim Hamrick
Beau Gustafson
Gaynor Luce
Ulrike Mcgregor
Natalie Russo
Ann Griffin
David Perry
Melanie Rodgers
Kaylee Cowart
Carlos Pino

 

Amy Brown

Amy is a registered and board-certified art therapist with a Bachelor of Arts from Furman University and a Master of Professional Studies in Art Therapy from Pratt Institute. She incorporated the art therapy program at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center – Behavioral Health Services in 2002, where she worked for 16 years. Amy now works at Children’s of Alabama: Behavioral Health as their Milieu Coordinator and Art Therapist. Her artwork can be seen at the Bishop’s Palace in Cortona, Italy, The Birmingham International Airport, Birmingham’s Lakeshore Foundation, the Birmingham Firefighter’s Association, Birmingham’s City Hall, the Alabama State Capital, and other places around the Southeastern United States.

Susan Lawrence

Susan Johnson Lawrence is a graduate of the Altamont School and of Birmingham-Southern College. She studied Shakespeare with Uta Hagen at HB Studios in NYC. She has been a member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1989. In addition to her acting career, she has sung professionally with her guitar for 42 years in Birmingham, Philadelphia, NYC, and Aspen. She has sung with the Aspen Chorus and the choir at Canterbury United Methodist Church. In 2016 she sang at Carnegie Hall with the Birmingham-Southern Concert Choir. She is the founder of Music Helps of Alabama, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve quality of life through the joy of listening and singing familiar songs. She performs interactive concerts using songs we all know and love: hymns, standards, folk songs, and popular music, and encourages her audience to sing along. She is currently an Operator/Announcer for Classical Music at Alabama Public Radio, the voice of their underwriting spots, and an Associate Producer. 

Kim McKenzie

Kim McKenzie received her bachelor’s degree in studio art at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Kim leads classes and workshops that use art making as a vehicle for achieving psychological insight, spiritual growth and creative freedom for people of all artistic abilities. Kim firmly believes that the creative process can be deeply healing and restorative, allowing one to connect to their heart where true wisdom lies, and life can be informed by the voice of the soul. Trained as a sculptor, her own work in bronze, iron, and ceramic, is figurative and focuses on her inner world and spiritual growth. She has been leading workshops in process art since 2001. 

David Roby

David Roby received a theatre fellowship from The Alabama State Council on the Arts. He was the 2010-2012 Tennessee Williams Playwright-in-Residence at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He is the author of The White Woods of Bolivar County (a one-man show where he plays sixteen different characters), Mercy Me, Arts and Sciences and Unseen Character. He has served as the assistant director of The Make It Happen Theatre Ensemble and has taught acting and playwriting at ArtPlay. 

Helene Taylor

Helene Taylor was a preschool teacher for ten years, led a parent-infant group, and taught in many after-school programs including her own Art in the Park- a community art program in Avondale. Helene would walk into the Avondale Library acting like the pied piper carrying buckets of paint asking, “Who wants to paint today?” Helene manages her husband Trés Taylor’s art career but is most fulfilled when she is teaching art. 

Lillis Taylor

Lillis Taylor received a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in China Studies from the University of Washington‘s Jackson School of International Studies. Taylor returned home to Birmingham in 2010 and for the last 15 years, has committed herself to building community through the arts. Initially hoping to start a cottage industry of soft-goods manufacturing where women could generate income with flexible schedules, Taylor’s vision shifted focus when she met Annie Bryant and they co-founded Bib & Tucker Sew-Op, a multi-generational, multi-racial sewing nonprofit also celebrating ten years in 2024. Taylor now splits her time between The March Quilts, a nonprofit aimed at enhancing the intersection between advocacy and the arts, and her work as a fiber artist and social entrepreneur. Lillis believes in the power of needle and thread to positively impact a person’s psyche, having helped countless patients, family members, and caregivers to thread their first embroidery needle.     

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