Prince D&I Exhibit Background
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The Prince Diversity and Inclusion Exhibit: A Retrospective
The Prince Diversity and Inclusion Exhibit: A Retrospective
The Prince Diversity and Inclusion Exhibit: A Retrospective
In late April 2016, Vanessa conceived of and created a first-of-its-kind new exhibit as a tribute to Prince for his championship of diversity and inclusion throughout his nearly 40-year professional career. The exhibit is the result of more than 50 hours of extensive research on a very tight deadline. It consists of a collection of frame
In late April 2016, Vanessa conceived of and created a first-of-its-kind new exhibit as a tribute to Prince for his championship of diversity and inclusion throughout his nearly 40-year professional career. The exhibit is the result of more than 50 hours of extensive research on a very tight deadline. It consists of a collection of framed large photos/artists renderings of Prince from various artists, including Allmon's, and text describing how he championed diversity and inclusion.
An innovative approach to educating people about diversity and inclusion, while raising their cultural competence, the exhibit has four purposes: 1.) to address unconscious bias by focusing on Prince, a highly dynamic, intelligent and transformative African-American male, with whom people are familiar with through his art and celebrity; 2.) to provide an interactive opportunity for people to diffuse negative implicit associations; 3.) to explore the various diversity dimensions that Prince personified and/or embraced through his collaborations and experiences; and 4.) to help people to be inclusive of difference.
Prince Photo: Northfoto / Shutterstock.com Inc.
Why Vanessa Did The Exhibit
The Prince Diversity and Inclusion Exhibit: A Retrospective
The Prince Diversity and Inclusion Exhibit: A Retrospective
Prince’s death had a profound impact on Vanessa. She cried for what seemed like an eternity after he passed away. In her grief she thought that if she cried harder, it would bring Prince back to life. Of course it did not. As a diversity and inclusion practitioner Vanessa began to wonder what she could do to pay proper respect to him and
Prince’s death had a profound impact on Vanessa. She cried for what seemed like an eternity after he passed away. In her grief she thought that if she cried harder, it would bring Prince back to life. Of course it did not. As a diversity and inclusion practitioner Vanessa began to wonder what she could do to pay proper respect to him and his legacy. As she watched YouTube video after video of Prince, Vanessa started having recurring thoughts about doing a diversity and inclusion project in his honor.
The more and more she researched him, the more the answers became clear to her. Vanessa began to see a pattern emerging, which helped her to see Prince in a way that no one had ever considered or explored beyond his music. Vanessa discovered that he was a champion for diversity and inclusion long before these terms became popular.
Creating this exhibit was a cathartic experience for her. She connected with Prince in ways that she could not have imagined possible and she is forever grateful to him for all that he did to encourage and showcase diversity, inclusion, self-authenticity, creativity, originality, and for serving as the inspiration for this exhibit. Prince was a beautiful person and spirit.
Image: Prince's gold star and a purple flower on the famed First Avenue Club building.
Vanessa Allmon Project, Vanessa K. Allmon, Diversity and Inclusion, Prince D&I Exhibit: A Retrospective