THANK YOU
Dear Beloved Friends,
Thank you for being part of SOZO Forum: Room for Light.
What we experienced together was made possible by the generosity, curiosity, creativity, and presence each of you brought into the room. We are deeply grateful to everyone who shared their voices, questions, artistry, and attention.
As the conversation continues, we invite you to explore the resources and opportunities below (under “What’s Next”) to stay connected to the ideas and relationships that emerged throughout the day.
If you share reflections or photos on social media, we are on Instagram! Please tag @sozoartists—we'd love to celebrate and amplify this community. Most of all, we hope you'll continue reaching out to one another. Some of the most meaningful outcomes of gatherings like these happen long after they end.
The SOZO team is also always just one email away. Drop us a note at office{at]sozomedia.com.
Thank you for helping create a room filled with light, and stay tuned for the next iterations of Room for Light.
With gratitude,
ROOM FOR LIGHT Co-Chairs
Rika Iino
Founder & CEO
SOZO Impact
Lane Sugata
Senior Program Officer
Ford Foundation
Olivia Malabuyo Tablante
Program Director
Gerbode Foundation
PROGRAM
Times are approximate and subject to change!
Kaitlyn Boyer & Rika Iino, Co-MCs
-
Arrival and Conversations over Boxed Lunch
-
Opening Performances
Destiny Muhammad, Babatunji Johnson, Charmaine Butcher, Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Beyond the Seed
Speaker: Rika Iino
Coordinated Abundance
Moderated by Adam Fong
Speakers: Aimee Sueko Eng, Nataki Garrett, Liz O'Malley
~Break~
Artist Stories:
Moderated by Rika Iino
Speakers: M Eilo, Melecio Estrella
Inspiration as Currency
Moderated by Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Speakers: Keba Konte, Vinitha Watson -
ROOM 1:
The Body as a Site of Abundance: Somatic Practice
led by brooke smiley
ROOM 2:
Abundant Vision: Leadership Development for Artists & Culture Workers
led by Nataki Garrett
ROOM 3:
Circulating Abundance: Revenue Strategies for Creative Work
led by Nina Robinson
ROOM 4:
Abundant Imagination: AI, Technology & Hopeful Futures
led by Vinitha Watson
ROOM 5:
Abundant Ecosystem: Labor and Policy
led by Lane Sugata
ROOM 6:
Abundant Stillness: Journal on your own & Rest.
led by you -
Reflections and Shared Possibilities
The Future of Inspiration Economy
Speakers: Rika Iino, Marc Bamuthi Joseph -
Deepen connections over sushi & sake, special announcements, and closing performance by seiji oda.
Speakers: Rika Iino, Lane Sugata, Olivia Malabuyo Tablante -
Get home safely!
PEOPLE
OPENING
Destiny Muhammad
Harpist & Composer
Babatunji Johnson
Dancer & Choreographer
Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Spoken Word Artist & Chief of Impact, SOZO
SPEAKERS
In order of appearance
Rika Iino
Founder & CEO
SOZO Impact
Kaitlyn Boyer
Program Manager
SOZO Impact
Adam Fong
Program Officer,
Performing Arts
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Liz O’Malley
Director, Arts Strategy & Ventures, Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Nataki Garrett
Artist and Founder of The Ladder Leadership Services
Aimee Sueko Eng
Executive Director
Gerbode Foundation
M Eilo
Artist, Designer and Creative Technologist
Melecio Estrella
Artistic Director
BANDALOOP
Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Spoken Word Artist & Chief of Impact, SOZO
Vinitha Watson
Philanthropist & Founder
Zoo Labs
Keba Konte
Artist and Founder
Red Bay Coffee
BREAKOUT STEWARDS
brooke smiley
Osage body & earth artist
Nataki Garrett
Artist and Founder of The Ladder Leadership Services
Nina Robinson
Managing Director
Real People’s Fund
Vinitha Watson
Philanthropist & Founder Zoo Labs
Lane Sugata
Senior Program Officer Ford Foundation
Your Heart
CLOSING
seiji oda
Music Artist
WHAT’S NEXT:
Exclusive offers and first looks from SOZO and our partners for Room For Light participants.
FIRST LOOKS
FIRST LOOK:
ARTIST IN(TER)DEPENDENCE MATRIX
A look at SOZO's unique methodology for measuring long-term artist sustainability
FIRST LOOK:
SOZO EMPATHY LABS
SOZO's multi-year national initiative weaving artists, creative technologists, institutions, and health practitioners to cultivate empathy and long-term civic and cultural renewal
FIRST LOOK:
BAY AREA ARTS GRANT RESOURCE GUIDE
Explore this living resource guide of Bay Area grants and support programs for artists and producers by Gerbode Foundation
FREE WORKSHOPS
FREE WORKSHOP:
THEORY OF MOVEMENT
A primer for constructing your personal or organizational theory of change
Led by Marc Bamuthi Joseph
FREE WORKSHOP:
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL LEADERS
Led by Nataki Garrett
FREE WORKSHOP:
ABUNDANCE MINDSET FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL LEADERS
Led by Rika Iino
WE THANK
OUR SUPPORTING PARTNERS
We are grateful to our partners who make this gathering possible:
SOZO Forum: Room For Light was collaboratively conceived and executed by the SOZO team, our artists, and partners.
Curated by Rika Iino and Marc Bamuthi Joseph, in collaboration with Olivia Malabuyo Tablante and Lane Sugata.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Executive Producer: SOZO Impact
Lead Producer: Sarah Baltazar-Pinheiro
Production Manager: Annie March
Experience Design: Tamara Bates, Charles Brack, Dana Greenfield, Orquidea Hale, Ichun Yeh
Ikebana Flower Design: Inner Bloom
Graphic Design: Pixelittle
Photographer: Nino Fernandez
Production Assistants: Sabiá Pinheiro, Michelle Iliev
Food & Beverage: Kitava, Den Sake, Broc Cellars, Dandelion Chocolate, Sakura Bistro
Venue and Production Support: Mama Dog Studios
ABOUT SOZO
SOZO Impact, Inc. is an international contemporary arts agency and incubator at the intersection of social impact, innovation, and culture. Our portfolio of trailblazing artistic productions, experiences, and educational initiatives implements holistic approaches that cultivate equitable and liberatory creative ecosystems.
SOZO is a tax-exempt organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code in the United States, EIN 82-4956112. Your contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.