Advocate
“I’M ON A MISSION TO … SHARE STORIES THAT RESTORE OUR IDENTITY.”
FERUZA AFEWERKI
Storyteller & founder of Gold & Ashes (she/her)
Feruza is an Eritrean-British creative storyteller, mental health advocate and founder of Gold & Ashes. Gold & Ashes is a visual series sharing the stories of the community of Grenfell as a way to honour the lives of loved ones and reclaim the narrative around those who lived and loved in Grenfell.
Feruza lost her niece and sister in the Grenfell tragedy and she decided to record the stories for, and by, the Grenfell community through a published photobook, film and exhibition. Feruza wanted to refocus narratives around Grenfell to show the heart of the experiences of those affected and those lost. Through the power of holding space that was non- judgemental, by seeing each contributor as more than their trauma, and through conversation, contributors to Gold & Ashes and Feruza started on an empowering, healing journey. Contributors and Feruza found that when they honoured stories in a way they only could, they felt autonomous.
Feruza will be in conversation with Errol Donald, a therapeutic wellbeing practitioner and founder and director of Mindspray. Mindspray is a creative platform that tells the stories of communities, where creative talent is overlooked and under-represented – inspired by Errol’s own experience as a pioneer and central figure within UK graffiti art.
My favourite TED talk:
The power of vulnerability
Brené Brown
FERUZA AFEWERKI
Storyteller & founder of Gold & Ashes (she/her)
Feruza is an Eritrean-British creative storyteller, mental health advocate and founder of Gold & Ashes. Gold & Ashes is a visual series sharing the stories of the community of Grenfell as a way to honour the lives of loved ones and reclaim the narrative around those who lived and loved in Grenfell.
Feruza lost her niece and sister in the Grenfell tragedy and she decided to record the stories for, and by, the Grenfell community through a published photobook, film and exhibition. Feruza wanted to refocus narratives around Grenfell to show the heart of the experiences of those affected and those lost. Through the power of holding space that was non- judgemental, by seeing each contributor as more than their trauma, and through conversation, contributors to Gold & Ashes and Feruza started on an empowering, healing journey. Contributors and Feruza found that when they honoured stories in a way they only could, they felt autonomous.
Feruza will be in conversation with Errol Donald, a therapeutic wellbeing practitioner and founder and director of Mindspray. Mindspray is a creative platform that tells the stories of communities, where creative talent is overlooked and under-represented – inspired by Errol’s own experience as a pioneer and central figure within UK graffiti art.
My favourite TED talk:
The power of vulnerability
Brené Brown