This episode of the Savvy Painter Podcast is sponsored by Trachell Art Supplies.

Trache stands in solidarity with the black community and is committed to being part of the

change that has been needed for so long.

Last week in the wake of the protests over the killing of George Floyd, Brianna Taylor,

and so many other African Americans, I had a conversation with Dean Mitchell, Mario Robinson,

and Ashanti Branch, who's the founder of the Ever Forward Club, a youth mentorship program.

Also with us was Corbray Smith, an artist and alumni of the Ever Forward Club, and Chokey Alan Alvarez and Clive Bryan Jr. who are current members of the club.

This week I'd like to share that conversation with you.

As the protests start to dwindle down and George Floyd has been laid to rest, now it's up to us to ensure that all of that really meant something.

For me, that means first taking a good honest look into my own heart, finding the places that feel raw and

uncomfortable and bringing them into the light. It means having uncomfortable

conversations with family and friends. It means listening openly and

recognizing when I feel the prickle of defensiveness and then being super curious about why it's there rather than giving into it.

And it also means making sure that the savvy painter community does more to be an ally to black artist.

I know I haven't done enough. This is a marathon, and it doesn't end when the protests peter out

and the news cycle shifts back to COVID or the upcoming election.

Look, I understand that some people won't like this conversation and I noticed a lot of

them that subscribes from my mailing list when I invited everyone to that panel

discussion and I'm okay with that.

I know that talking about race is uncomfortable.

I get it.

I'm uncomfortable too and I think that is because change is uncomfortable. So I'm asking you to be awkward and

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