Experts In Cultural Preservation, Innovation, and Impact Measurement
About The Womanist Laboratory
We are a social enterprise rooted in academic research and public scholarship with a comment to community development. Our approach to community development through organizing and supporting research and the co-creation of knowledge for the betterment of individuals, entities, and communities and the common good of all.
We are a humanistic research and praxis laboratory. We take an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving with respects to the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities. We serve both the academy and the community. As an independent research laboratory, we provide educational, research, and development services. We primarily focus on support organizations with design thinking, program evaluation, and strategic action planning.
As a laboratory, we are invested in the intellectuals and professional development of college students and independent scholars by cultivating intellectual leaders, creating opportunities to connect textbook theories to the needs of community-based clients. We are committed to improving the human experiences and all life on the planet. We believe in researching solutions and initiating changes as a community development effort. We believe community development efforts should be assessed and evaluated to ensure no harm is done and that impact is maximized.
We believe community development is best achieved through innovation and measurable outcomes. We work to advocate for processes that are humane, equitable and sustainable to achieve positive outcomes. Through the development of innovative projects and the proper assessment, planning, execution, and evaluation of all programs, projects, and organizations, we can determine the good being done and how best to increase impact. Our work helps to improve the human condition on the planet and thus changing the world for the good of all.
What is Womanism
Alice Walker’s Definition of a “Womanist” from In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose Copyright 1983. WOMANIST 1. From womanish. (Opp. of “girlish,” i.e., frivolous, irresponsible, not serious.) A black feminist or feminist of color. From the black folk expression of mothers to female children, “you acting womanish,” i.e., like a woman. Usually referring to outrageous, audacious, courageous or willful behavior. Wanting to know more and in greater depth than is considered “good” for one. Interested in grown up doings. Acting grown up. Being grown up. Interchangeable with another black folk expression: “You trying to be grown.” Responsible. In charge. Serious. 2. Also: A woman who loves other women, sexually and/or nonsexually. Appreciates and prefers women’s culture, women’s emotional flexibility (values tears as natural counterbalance of laughter), and women’s strength. Sometimes loves individual men, sexually and/or nonsexually. Committed to survival and wholeness of entire people, male and female. Not a separatist, except periodically, for health. Traditionally a universalist, as in: “Mama, why are we brown, pink, and yellow, and our cousins are white, beige and black?” Ans. “Well, you know the colored race is just like a flower garden, with every color flower represented.” Traditionally capable, as in: “Mama, I’m walking to Canada and I’m taking you and a bunch of other slaves with me.” Reply: “It wouldn’t be the first time.” 3. Loves music. Loves dance. Loves the moon. Loves the Spirit. Loves love and food and roundness. Loves struggle. Loves the Folk. Loves herself. Regardless. 4. Womanist is to feminist as purple is to lavender.
