On Tuesday, January 5, we suddenly lost our friend, Christine Lawrence Finney. Christine participated in Speaking Down Barriers events and Spoken Word Spartanburg events for nearly two years, offering herself to new relationships, new ways of creating, and development of new artistic partnerships. We shared our lives with Christine and she shared hers with us.

Christine exuded joy, peace, and love.

We felt this while she served on the Speaking Down Barriers inaugural Board of Directors. We felt this when she wrote and shared at Writing Circles, hosted by Spoken Word Spartanburg. We felt this when we saw her amazing art next to her husband's (Trey Finney) art during their Double Vision exhibit.

Words will never express what Christine means to us. Because she existed, we will use her energy towards the highest good. She lives on through us, her family, and every amazing piece of art at our disposal. She is here.

Christine, we thank you for all that you are and will continue to be. We love you.


View Christine's powerful art

Words from Martin Luther King, Jr. as we enter 2016:

Letter from Birmingham Jail

We are capable of transforming this place, but we must confront its ills and push ourselves beyond diversity and inclusion. We must enter into a space of shared power and mutual liberation, transforming White supremacy, within us and without.

Last image of slideshow: A Community Gathering facilitated by Speaking Down Barriers, including poet and activist, Crystal Irby, and innovator, Shemuel Namaste. Topic: Martin Luther King, Jr.: Untold