2023 was a year of (un)doing, envisioning and creating... as well as AJL's fourth year for participatory grantmaking. Fifteen incredible community organizers, families, youth leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, human service professionals, educators, businesspeople, community lovers and change-makers came together to identify twenty high-impact, community-driven organizations serving Colorado families and youth to each receive a $20,000 general operating support. This participatory grantmaking experience culminated in, and is best expressed through, the artistic reflection above and below.
Why participatory grantmaking? We believe that by bringing together diverse representatives of all communities affected by our grantmaking to make funding decisions, the collective expertise and experiences of the group will lead to more effective and equitable grantmaking decisions and increased impact.
Meet the 2023 grantmaking committee here and our 2023 grant partners here.
How does the participatory process work? Read all about it here.
"The Exchange"
Writer, Performer and Engineer: TeRay Esquibel
Producer: Orion Creates
Artwork: Avery Esquibel-Valle
Inspired by the 2023 cohort of AJL Foundation Grant Partners and Grantmaking Committee
ARTIST STATEMENT
"This artwork was inspired by two things, what I see while driving in the car and my Dad's song. It is a slight exaggeration to what I see on the day to day while looking through the window of my car. Things like the sunset and the Burger King next to the gym are all things I see everyday (Burger King always seems to be calling you after a workout). I also always see people who are struggling outside while we drive so I tried to incorporate that into my drawing as well because I see them as still a part of our community." - Avery Esquibel-Valle, 13-years-old.
LYRICS
(Intro)
My Pain
Campaigns
My brain
These stains
Distain
Entertain
War
(Verse 1)
My pain ain’t for sport
Campaigns or reports
My brain is my sword
These stains come from war
Disdain and contortion
As we entertain and perform
Just to gain short term rewards
But its just another day arcane game
It can never be sustained
Always be explained
That you’ll came up short
So you better be sure
That your homies and your momma
Know who gave you support
(Chorus)
Ride around the city and I see a couple things
Shit aint always pretty but I know what I could change
If I could controled some change
Without having to exchange all my life
My life
Roll around the city and I see a couple things
Shit aint always pretty but I know what I would change
If I just controled some change
Without having to exchange all my life
My life
(Verse 2)
We’ve been bleeding pleading for so Long
We’ve been dreaming and singing all of these songs
Hoping for agreement between good deeds and greed
Praying they perceive our
Our dreams as a good causes
Take a look at what they taught us trust they see the problem decisions being made to solve them
Can’t be driven by the same brains
That came and caused them
In the first place
And that’s off rip
No band aid solutions
Can heal these these cuts and bruises
We went to school as students
We learned the tools you’re using
We under no illusion
That all these chains will loosen
From all the rules it’s proven dog so let that sit
(Bridge)
If Im obnoxious its cause I got context to their nonsense
Hide behind process and boards
While y’all distracted by their Loch Ness coopted
Your public comment guess I gotta sharpen my sword
(Chorus)
Ride around the city and I see a couple things
Shit aint always pretty but I know what I could change
If I could controlled some change
Without having to exchange all my life
My life
Roll around the city and I see a couple things
Shit aint always pretty but I know what I would change
If I just controled some change
Without having to exchange all my life
My life
****************
Previous years' reflections can be seen here:
2022
It is always about the Collective
a live scribe poetic reflection by Molina Speaks
as informed by the 2022-23 Cohort of AJL Grantees
Image credit: Fannypack
Music by DJ Icewater
Meet our 2022 grantmaking committee and 2022 grant partners here.
2021
WE (A Litany)
a live scribe poetic reflection by Adrian H Molina
as informed by the 2021-22 Cohort of AJL Grantees
Image credit: Terah (9th grade)
Meet our 2021 grantmaking committee and 2021 grant partners here.
2020
Recipe for Philanthropy: A Message from AJL's 2020 Grant Partners
An Open Holiday Recipe for Philanthropy
a live scribe poetic reflection by Adrian H Molina
as informed by the 2020 Class of AJL Grantees
Video credit: Dope Mom Life
Meet our 2020 grantmaking committee and 2020 grant partners here.
