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Tune in to episode 23 of the Disability Inclusion: Required podcast.
Disability Inclusion: Required – Episode 23 – Creative Philanthropy: Celebrating the Power of Disabled Artistic Brilliance with Jen White-Johnson and Michael Greer
In this episode, host Justice Shorter welcomes Michael Greer, President and CEO of Arts Fund, and Jen White-Johnson, an Afro-Latina artist, activist, designer and educator. They discuss the “artistry of philanthropy” and how it can be channeled to bolster initiatives led by people with disabilities. Michael and Jen amplify disabled artists and disabled-led creative initiatives working at the intersection of disability, race, and justice. They also explore how disabled artists are using creative expressions to challenge ableism, envision a more accessible future, and lead radical movements for social change.
Our podcast theme music is by Andre Louis and Precious Perez. Thank you to Recording Artists And Music Professionals With Disabilities (RAMPD) for connecting these talented disabled musicians with the Disability & Philanthropy Forum.
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Featured Guests
Michael Greer
As President and CEO of ArtsFund—Washington State’s largest independent, unrestricted arts and culture funder—Michael leverages his experience to create community solutions through the arts.
His background spans financial services, manufacturing, performing arts, and philanthropy. He serves on several local and national boards, and with an academic foundation in economics, mathematics, and education—and an MBA from the Wharton School—Michael applies interdisciplinary knowledge to foster healthier, more connected communities.
A recognized community leader and national speaker on the role of the arts in civic life, he champions the transformative power of creativity to enrich lives and strengthen society.
Jen White-Johnson
Jen White-Johnson (she/they) is a distinguished Afro-Latina artist, activist, designer, and educator, whose creative expressions delve into the intersection of content and caregiving. With a profound focus on reshaping ableist visual culture, Jen, an artist-educator grappling with Graves disease and ADHD, brings a heart-centered and electric approach to disability advocacy. Her invaluable contributions to these movements manifest through powerful and dynamic art and media that simultaneously educate, bridge divergent worlds, and envision a future reflective of her Autistic son’s experiences. Jen’s activism extends to collaborations with notable brands and art spaces, including Coachella, Target, and Adobe, both in print and digital realms. Her photography and design work have gained recognition in esteemed publications such as Art in America, Juxtapoz Magazine, AfroPunk, and she has contributed insightful essays to publications like “After Universal Design: The Disability Design Revolution” and “An Anthology of Blackness.” Notably, Jen’s work is permanently archived at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National African American Museum of History and Culture in DC. Holding an MFA in Graphic Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Jen resides in Baltimore, MD, with her husband and 11-year-old son.