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Likening the feeling of marginalization and othering in a Black femme body to being adrift in outer-space, Kamilah Rashied’s autobiographical work, My Pressure Suit, examines through prose, poetry and short stories, what it means to carve out a space where one can fully appear despite the mechanisms of erasure. In its ninth iteration of public presentation, this ongoing “program in progress” lives in conversation with the aspiration for transcendence and healing inherent in the Dark Matter exhibition by Folayemi Wilson.

Schedule of Event:
6:00–6:10PM
WELCOME & ORIENTATION
• During the orientation an overview describing each cycle of the sequence of events will be
covered. To ensure guests understand how each course will occur.

6:00–6:40PM
THE CYCLE(S)
• Text will be read
• A “texture” of sound will follow the text reading and punctuate the section.
• A a companion medicinal tea will be offered and a prompt will be provided to enter the
dyad.

6:45–7:05PM
GROUP DISCUSSION
• Following the text reading cycles there will be 15-20 additional minutes for reflection and
discussion as a group following the presentation.

7:10–7:40PM
RECEPTION
Refreshments and small bites provided, including specialty iced tea made from medicinal teas.

Kamilah Rashied is a performance artist, writer, educator, producer, and arts administrator. A double alumnus of DePaul University receiving a BFA in performance at the Theater School and an MFA in arts leadership, their work is itinerant, community centered and socially concerned, often leaving the more conventional confines of creative space, (both literally and figuratively). Kamilah has contributed to the development of new and ongoing projects at many venerable arts and culture organizations across Chicago including: the Art Institute of Chicago, the School at the Art Institute, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, Chicago Public Schools, Illinois Humanities, Rebuild Foundation, Open TV, Young Chicago Authors, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Victory Gardens Theater.