EPISODE 14: Jamion and Reesheda Nicole Berry on Resilience, Love, and Art
Join Mike, Zoe, and a featured guest for a conversation about what it means to be Black in the face of cultural adversity, honoring relationships, and highlighting the strength of community
From a raving review of Austin native and former Chicago Poet Laureate Avery R Young’s safronia, a genre-defying opera that premiered at the Lyric Opera House in mid-April, to challenging business norms in Black-focused neighborhoods, this West and South Side power couple shares how their love, passion, and patience are woven into the work that defines their lives. for information on programming and ways to contribute.
As a deeply creative and visionary team, the Kindred Civic Arts Forum will present the first installment of Love Is on the Green Line, a new initiative bringing art, culture, and community mobilization to spaces along Chicago’s Green Line corridor. The event is free and open to the public and will take place outdoors, making it accessible for neighbors, families, and visitors alike.
To learn more or support KCAF, visit KCAFChicago.org
About the Guests
Reesheda Nicole Berry
Reesheda (IG: @reeshedanicole) is a social engineer who designs, builds, curates, and cultivates opportunities for human imagination, discovery, and creation. She models, writes, teaches, keynotes, facilitates, emcees, coaches, and consults with individuals, organizations, and businesses to spark shared experiences of growth, development, and transformation.
A serial entrepreneur, Reesheda has successfully operated multiple businesses simultaneously over the past five years. Drawing on her background in education and the arts—and pairing those strengths with expertise in leadership and organizational development, DEIB, and what she describes as “anthropological intuition”—she brings both insight and levity to her work, helping individuals and organizations realize their fuller potential.
Jamion Berry
Jamion L. Berry (IG: @jamionberry) is co-executive director of the Kendrick Civic Arts Forum and a trusted advisor to leaders, organizations, and institutions navigating complexity and transformation. With more than 25 years of experience across government, nonprofit and Fortune 100 environments, Jamion brings strategic clarity, cultural intelligence and a strong command of storytelling to help organizations elevate leadership, strengthen culture and drive aligned performance.
He is passionate about investing in others, pushing life to its limits and expressing a distinct sense of style. Jamion holds a B.A. in chemistry from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, a B.S. in chemical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, and an Executive MBA from Emory University in Atlanta. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
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