Day 1 -

11:10 – 11:25 – Poet 1 (15 min.)

·      "I didn't kill her" by Bo Acoin

Bo Cedar Aucoin

Aucoin is French Canadian, most recently from Toronto, but with roots in Vancouver and Victoria, BC. He grew up skiing, playing piano, acting, and climbing the western red cedar in his backyard. Having journeyed through careers in classical music and environmental activism, Bo is now working in mental health and is pursuing his Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Saybrook University. He currently resides in Santa Cruz, California with his two kids and his dog, Thelonious Monk.

Poetry "The Throne"

BUTTERFLY WILLIAMS

Butterfly Williams, MFA, PhD, is director of Iruke Institute International, a center for arts-based research into African-centered spiritual practices. He was also Co-Founder of GuyWriters, San Francisco's largest support group for gay male writers, and facilitator of its poetry group. His poem, "The Throne, or the Ballad of Isis and Osiris in the Key of Life," is derived from his doctoral dissertation, Just For Us: Men of African Descent Decolonize Same-Sex Desire through Arts-Based Alchemy. Please visit Iruke.org.

Filmmaker

A storyteller of African Descent melds her worlds of mental health with arts and entertainment for Social Transformation.               

Ibukunola Bukky Rojugbokan, known as Bukky pronounced (Boo-key), comes from a long line of African storytellers. She is a product of a Black American mother and a Nigerian father. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, she spent her formative years in Ibadan, Nigeria, and later relocated with her family to Houston, Texas. Mz Bukky is a writer, director, producer, and comedian. She has written, directed, and produced her first feature film titled "Pastor Petty."    

A devote Christian, she brings her personal relationship with God into everything she does. Her writing is a reflection of her deep roots in the African American church culture. With an undergraduate degree from Oral Roberts University, a leader in Christian Education, she also holds a Master's degree in Psychology from Houston Baptist University. Currently, Ms. Rojugbokan is enrolled at Saybrook University and will be starting her third year as a student pursuing a PH. D. in Transformative Social Change.  

Her impact career began her senior year of high school when she wrote and directed a play for her local church. This began her twenty-year journey into using the arts to change and transform lives. Currently, she utilizes her mental health skills and Psychological Assessment to support at-risk students in the Houston area. As a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, she is committed to transforming students, teachers, and her community.   

Currently, Ms. Rojugbokan is the founder of Bukky Productions. She is currently writing two dramatic series and other film ventures which she hopes to pitch to networks. Additionally, Ms. Rojugbokan is in Pre-Production for a Documentary on infertility as well as developing online training for people considering or going through IVF. This artist hopes to use this documentary as a part of her dissertation in order to obtain a Ph.D. in Transformation Social Change. Her goal is to create entertainment that leads to change in communities and people's lives.  

Filmmaker, The Rhythm of Blue 

Valaira Sa-Ra Smith was born in Bronx, New York City of French West Indian descent and currently resides in Los Angeles, California with her husband. Having obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Management, she has developed both a passion & commitment to the world of entertainment at a very early age. Her attraction & enthusiasm for the entertainment industry eventually grew into establishing her production company MiVUE Productions. Valaira's diverse artistic abilities & talents have created wonderful opportunities for her which includes modeling, acting, producing and directing. She also appeared in Essence, Heart and Soul and Elite Style Magazine. Her company MiVUE Productions has produced short independent films, web series, and featured documentaries". Valaira Sa-Ra Smith loves to share her creativity in a positive and inspiring life-affirming way.

Filmmaker, The Rhythm of Blue

J C Thomas grew up in Washington, DC. There she fell in love with the theatre when she participated in the Text Alive! program offered by the Shakespeare Theatre at The Landsburgh (formerly the Folger Shakespeare Theatre). She then took a class with the theatre and had the opportunity to perform in the ensemble of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, with Paul Winfield and Sabrina LeBauf. She then went to Prairie View A&M Unviversity and majored in Theatre Arts. There she performed in hundreds of plays and received extensive, intensive acting training. She and her husband formed a performing and visual arts company called 3E World Productions. They created theatre and dance shows, were hired to design and build scenery, sold original artwork and provided airbrush caricature artists for parties and special events. Even after 3E, she and her husband, Adrian, continue to produce independent film projects and provide caricatures for parties and events. She truly believes that the arts can and will change the world! Our artistic voices will live long after we are gone and they need to speak life and healing into a world that is hurting. J C is constantly working on her next project while raising a teenager, who is also an artist. She is leading by example in teaching him to use his voice, his art, in order to be the change he wants to see in the world

Author, "Dear I"

Author, poet, creative entrepreneur. Led youth groups and ministries for more than 30 years. Provided personal development workshops to African young Entrepreneurs from 2014 to 2017 and to freshman students at the Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus. Published one non-fiction book and three poetry books including 2 children’s books. Have been working at FDA for close to 15 years. Currently working on launching my publishing, design, and licensing business. Starting in Fall 2021 my Ph.D. in Psychology at Saybrook to explore Existential, Humanistic, and Transpersonal Psychology for a future career encompassing (research, writing, publishing & licensing, lecturing, speaking, and a plan to contribute to growing the creative industries in Africa). 

Poetry, "Rose of Sharon"

My name is Briana Weideman, and I recently began my journey towards a Master's in Mind-Body Medicine here at Saybrook. I like to surround myself with interesting people who think/feel/look at the world differently and I am confident my education here will open doors beyond my wildest dreams. After recovering from my fifth knee surgery last year (all is well!), I realized my purpose was to educate myself and help others recognize their powers by strengthening the mind/body/spirit. Professionally, I operate a search firm and want to incorporate my education into executive coaching and helping organizations rebrand their culture. I look forward to learning from such a creative community and happy I found a place to call home!

Filmmaker, Animal Assisted Play Therapy

At Saybrook, I am chasing that creative connection between children and animal-assisted play therapy, while pursuing a Ph.D. in Creative Studies Specialization. For over 20 years now, I have been particularly interested in how canines can become partners in healing for adoptive children in therapy overcoming trauma and attachment issues. As many play therapists would not do therapy without toys, paint, crayons, sand trays, and clay, I cannot do without my puppies Zoe, Sasha, and Simba in my playroom. I believe that social change can begin in your own neighborhood. Thus, we built a 280 square foot permanent tiny home in our backyard and The Play Therapy Cottage was born. This short film gives voice to my canine co-therapist;s perspective of AAPT through their humanistic and holistic lens.

Filmmaker, Ghosts and the Afterlife 

Steve Sayre has served in an executive capacity for Goldstar International Pictures, Diversified American Industries, and Hollywood Picture Studios. He holds a Ph.D. in psychology and is a graduate with the highest honors from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. He worked as a private investigator for 3 years specializing in missing persons and background investigations. He completed combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and has served in a top-secret capacity for both the United States Army and the United States Air Force.  

Author, "Your Key to Mind-Body Wellness"

Shannon Sims, PhD, is an adjunct faculty member in Saybrook’s department of mind-body medicine and an integrative wellness coach and mind-body medicine practitioner with Aila Health. Shannon takes a special focus on helping people suffering from prolonged COVID-19 symptoms cope with and manage their symptoms so they can regain their energy and feel in control of their health. She is passionate about educating on the importance of the mind-body connection and the various avenues in which self-healing can be achieved. 

Shannon holds a PhD and Master's degree in Mind-Body Medicine from Saybrook University’s College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences. She is also a certified Yoga teacher and carries two certificates from Saybrook University: integrative wellness coaching and integrative and functional nutrition.