UBUNTU
pronounced oo-BOON-too
“I AM, BECAUSE YOU ARE.”
The word ubuntu is just part of the Zulu phrase "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu", which literally means that a person is a person through other people. Ubuntu has its roots in humanist African philosophy, where the idea of community is one of the building blocks of society. Ubuntu is the concept of common humanity, oneness. Desmond Tutu is a major proponent of the philosophy as highlighted in his book: No Future Without Forgiveness.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlight the ways mental illness and addiction can affect all of us. We believe this is also an opportunity to spotlight the tools and practices we can explore to navigate the impacts as a collective. The Ubuntu Project is our flagship initiative for Mental Health Awareness Month and involves partnering with artists and creatives of color, licensed mental health professionals, as well as campuses and community organizations across 10 US cities. Our intention is to curate spaces that encourage the exchange of our mental health stories in addition to IRL activations to take place in select communities nationwide.
Below is a list of the virtual and live experiential offerings we’re spearheading as part of this month-long, national campaign.
SEATTLE
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THE BAY
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LA
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PHOENIX
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HOUSTON
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ATLANTA
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MIAMI
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DETROIT
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DC
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NEW YORK
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SEATTLE 〰️ THE BAY 〰️ LA 〰️ PHOENIX 〰️ HOUSTON 〰️ ATLANTA 〰️ MIAMI 〰️ DETROIT 〰️ DC 〰️ NEW YORK 〰️
THE UBUNTU PROJECT
Performance artists from coast to coast will live stream their interactive sessions dedicated to mental health and storytelling through movement.
Somatic Sundays & Midweek Movement
Creating is the key to creation and we want you to join our art therapy sessions for feeling through forgiveness, fun, and forging a new path toward total wellbeing.
Maker Monday
The Essentials: Talk Therapy Tuesdays & Thursdays
The Essentials is a Tuesday and Thursday, self-improvement series that brings together mental health professionals to share their essential SOULutions to cope with chaos, change, and challenge in various aspects of life.
Flow With It Friday
May is a time to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlight the ways mental illness and addiction can affect all of us.. Step into the booth with our spoken word experience designers who will use their voices to navigate the impacts of these challenges as a collective.
Select cities nationwide will have IRL popup art activations including the unveiling of vibrant murals that share personal mental health stories. These murals will be unveiled in public spaces, turning our cities into canvases that spark conversations and break down the stigma.
Socialize Saturday
Share Your Story
The Ubuntu Project ‘Community Journal’ launches May 3rd and a new journal entries will be added every week.
The Ubuntu Project
The Ubuntu Project
“I believe spaces that allow us to reflect on and share our stories is a restorative art form that allows us to build communities and sustain harmonious relationships with ourselves and one another. For my own accountability with this and to provide environments for other open-minded explorers drawn to experience the unseen parts of themselves, the world, and mysteries of one another, I'm collaborating with ambitious learners, creatives from underrepresented communities and audacious thinkers to design safe spaces where love and expression are accessible...where UBUNTU is not just a concept, but a way of life. Together, we will engage in practices that allow us to acknowledge, nurture, forgive, honor, and empower all parts of ourselves...one another.”
Marisha Dixon, Founder & CXO
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Shubhi Aggarwal
PROJECT MANAGER
Hi, I’m Shubhi and I’m a recent BusIness Management graduate from Cape Breton University where I began working with ZENtertainment as part of a capstone project. Three things that make my soul smile are exploring new places and going on adventures, helping and adopting animals, and diving into a great movie or book.
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Amina Taylor
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
My name is Amina and I am a designer, studio artist, and illustrator. I have been drawing since I could remember and began perfecting my skills in high school. My favorite mediums are watercolor, pencil, and charcoal, but I am always ready to practice new ones. I love incorporating art into my graphic design as well. I’m hoping that in the future I can master my own art style.
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Gianna Renata
PERFORMANCE ARTIST MANAGER
Hey, I’m Gianna and I’m a choreographer and dancer based in Central California. I graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelor's in Sex and Gender studies and have enjoyed my 14 year journey as a dance educator teaching ballet and jazz technique and choreographing multiple musical theater productions a year while persuing freelance dance opportunies.
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Eric Jenkins
VISUAL ARTIST MANAGER
Hello my name is Eric! I’m a photographer and I started my journey into photography after my time in the military. My first dozen or so photos as a photographer were taken on an iPhone. One of the many things that I love about photography is that you get to capture moments, emotions, vulnerabilities, and different views of the world.
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Amanpreet Kaur
COMMUNITY HEALTH PARTNER MANAGER
Hi, Amanpreet here! I'm from India but have been living and studying in Canada where I recently completed my degree in Business Management. This was my introduction to Zentertainment Enterprises as I was part of a research team that explored project-based learning, intergenerational and cross-cultural preparation, and social enterprises as new avenues to educational attainment for underestimated learners. I enjoy literature, listening to music and gardening.
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Tony Xiong
COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNER MANAGER
Hello everyone. I’m Tony, but known in the art world as StarShader: Illustrator, Healer, Authentic Connector. Through my art, I weave stories that heal, hearts that resonate, and worlds that inspire. As StarShader, I delve into the depths of creativity to craft visual narratives that touch the soul. I use art as a vessel for healing, guiding others on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. With each piece, I strive to connect authentically, fostering meaningful relationships and sparking conversations that transcend boundaries.
ZENtertainment Enterprises is a woman-owned, boutique impact relations agency using the power of entertainment marketing and content-driven experiences as creative customer and talent acquisition strategies for socially responsible brands.
What We Do
We work with audacious, change-making brands and ambitious, underestimated learners by creating project-based experiences that bridge education and industries of the future on a global scale.
Who We Serve
Stay in the Loop!
Ready to roll up your sleeves and make some memories with us? Share our mission with your squad and help us spread the word. Stay tuned for more details on The Ubuntu Project and other events that'll take you to every corner of the world and connect you with our mission.