A Jamaican American writer and activist, Jordan advocated for human rights with a fierceness and intersectionality that stood against injustice wherever she found it. She wrote and spoke often for civil rights, intersectional women’s rights and sexual freedom/self-determination. I look to her for wisdom on how to balance compassion with an unapologetic call to accountability. For starters, read: Life as Activism: June Jordan’s Writings form the Progressive.

Dr. Cleveland is a social psychologist, author, and activist who “integrates psychology, theology, storytelling, and art to help justice seekers sharpen their understanding of the social realities that maintain injustice while also stimulating the soul’s enormous capacity to resist and transform those realities.” A prophetic voice reclaiming our connection to the Divine Feminine from the grip of “white male god”, I look to her for spiritual renewal grounded in justice. For starters, read God is a Black Woman or see https://christenacleveland.com/

A queer artist and small business owner, Britchida creates powerfully honest art that speaks to the human experience, fosters resilience, and helps queer folks to tell our story and celebrate ourselves. They seamlessly integrate advocacy across identities and borders, and I look to them when I need compassion and courage for my own evolution. For starters, find them on IG @Britchida or https://britchida.com/

A polyamorous psychotherapist and author, Fern offers insight and roadmaps for those seeking new forms of relationships that lead to more “love, connection, sex, freedom and support.” She compassionately writes about the ways non-monogamy can “expand horizons” and face difficult growth as we face our attachment trauma. I look to her for wisdom and courage on how to navigate this. For starters, read Polysecure.

African American performance artist, writer, “daydreamer” and founder of The Nap Ministry, Hersey challenges white supremacy and capitalism through her invitations to practice “rest as resistance”, as reparation, and as revolution. She champions rest as portals for imagination and world-building. I look to her for guidance on how to extract the poison of white supremacy and capitalism from my body, and exchange them for pathways to wellness and collective liberation. For starters, read Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto or find her on IG @thenapministry.

Dr. Kelley is a black intellectual, researcher, writer and professor of history. I have been deeply impacted by his emphasis on the power of imagination in social movements to help us center what we are fighting for. I look to Dr. Kelley and Afrofuturism for hope and the courage to keep dreaming when I am discouraged by ongoing injustice. For starters, read Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination or Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories from Social Justice Movements.