3 minute read
WHAT MUVS YOU?
YOU ARE ENOUGH. MELODY SMITH
BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO BY MARION RODRIGUEZ
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?MUVSU? What Moves You? is philanthropic social justice art. The MUVSUment invites others to support my mission, to gift every woman returning home from prison a 1-ofa-kind MUVSU bag, by purchasing MUVSU bags. Personalized message notecards from the customer and me are placed inside each bag. The gift of an empty bag is significant because when women are incarcerated, we lose our possessions.
The empty bag represents a new beginning and a fresh start. Each customer gets to carry a unique handmade product, help a woman in need, and tell the story behind the bag she carries; and the woman who is being gifted is assured that people care and want her to succeed in her journey to re-enter society. https:// www.muvsu.net/about Marion Rodriguez, Creative Founder of ?MUVSU?, has relentlessly lent her voice and experience to organizations around the country in order to change how people view justiceinvolved women and systemic mass incarceration.
Since 2021 ?MUVSU? Bags can be purchased in Dallas, Texas at Well Grounded Coffee Co. https:// wellgrounded.coffee/ Tha Alkaline Hour https://thaalkalinehour. com/ and the Pan African Connection Bookstore https:// www.panafricanconnection.com/. ?MUVSU? invites collaborations that integrate social justice and creatives by asking What Moves You? how can you help? [and] then the magic happens.
Melody Smith Johnson and I met at a leadership training where she is the
facilitator. It is always my hope to build relationships with women like Melody who care about changing systems that oppress people. Mission accomplished! In August 2022 Melody, through her creative company Divine Coverings, LLC, purchased bags that she will customize/bedazzle (see photos) to be sold at Melody’s in Auburn, NY, which is the first Black woman owned coworking/event/retail space for female entrepreneurs in Cayuga County. This collaboration is exquisite and it moves me … ?MUVSU? What Moves You? https://www.instagram. com/melodyscny/
Divine Coverings’ products are specifically designed to add beauty to a woman’s world. In addition to creating and designing uniquely beautiful products, Divine Coverings is committed to helping advance the Kingdom of God and to supporting communities. Through partnership with churches, schools, students and non-profit organizations in a variety of fundraising efforts for community and ministryfocused initiatives, up to 40% of profit is regularly donated to these partnerships. https:// divinecoverings.com/ pages/about-us
Melody’s, located at 128 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021 is a hybrid membership-based space for women entrepreneurs. Melody’s is designed specifically for women who need a space to grow their business and build community. Community is important for Melody Smith Johnson, “I wanted to design a space that female professionals and entrepreneurs could utilize to grow their business, gain exposure, and for us to work together as a community that supports each
Melody’s, located at 128 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021 is a hybrid membership-based space for women entrepreneurs. Melody’s is designed specifically for women who need a space to grow their business and build community. Community is important for Melody Smith Johnson, “I wanted to design a space that female professionals and entrepreneurs could utilize to grow their business, gain exposure, and for us to work together as a community that supports each other.” Melody’s offers retail space for women-owned product-based businesses to showcase their products year-round. In addition to the co-work desk stations two private spaces are available. A designated office/space conference room for meetings or zoom calls, and an office available to sub-lease with a private entrance. The space is flexible and offers room for cozy events up to 50 people. www. melodyscny.com
