In this episode of Fresh Start, we sit down with V.L. Cox, a renowned artist and activist. In addition to learning about the intersection of her art and activism, we discuss how individuals can make their own fresh start as activists. We hear some of her impactful conversations from her past and explore strategies for developing the skills now that we need to be present in our world in ways that effect change in what is an even more complex social landscape.

ABOUT V.L. COX

Cox was born in 1962 in Shreveport Louisiana and raised in Arkansas. She acquired a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Henderson State University in 1991.

Cox is a professional artist of 30 years whose work has been highly active in projects that involve Human Rights and Equality. In 2015 she launched her National ‘End Hate’ project, an anti-discrimination series based on segregation era doors in response to HB1228, a dangerous Religious Freedom Bill in Arkansas. The doors were placed twice on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol then twice at the base of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The response was overwhelming. Images of the door installation went viral and were seen on Yahoo News, USA Today, in numerous newspapers across the country and as far away as India and South Korea.

In 2020, Cox was one of twenty artists in the nation to be featured in "Ministry of Truth: 1984/2020,” a New York City billboard project which made the New York Times “Most Important Moments in Art in 2020” list. Her work has opened at prominent locations such as The LGBT Center in New York, NY, The Virginia Longwood Center for the Visual Arts Museum, the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama , The National Memorial for Peace and Justice opening, the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond, Virginia and the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas to commemorate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Elaine Massacre. In 2023 Cox was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award from Henderson State University and in 2024 was one of 120 artists selected nationwide for the exhibition ‘Into Action 2024’ sponsored by Taskforce, promoting change and the power of voting during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Cox currently lives in the Artists District in Peekskill, New York.

You can connect with V.L. on her website: https://www.vlcox.com/ and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vlcoxart

Stacey took us on a different thought prompt today that you’ll hear at the end of the podcast. So the prompt below is extra credit!

"How can I engage in social justice work when I feel overwhelmed by uncertainty?"

• Thinking: Identify a cause that deeply resonates with me and research credible sources to better understand its complexities.
• Feeling: Acknowledge the full spectrum of emotions I experience when confronting social injustices, from frustration to hope, and use these feelings as motivation rather than obstacles.
• Doing: Commit to one tangible action this week, no matter how small, that contributes to my chosen cause - whether it's signing a petition, attending a local meeting, or having a meaningful conversation with a friend about the issue.

This episode is sponsored by God and My Girlfriends, a women's non-profit which helps women nurture the three most important relationships in their lives: God, friends, and self. For more information on God and My Girlfriends, go to: www.godandmygirlfriendsministries.org