The Coco Canary Monthly Newsletter
May 2023
Summary:
A Grounding, Creative Evaluation Project Highlight #2, Molly OOO in June, Coco Canary Music Soft Launch, and a Conference
Welcome to Coco Canary!
Hello from Molly C. O’Connor, the principal and founder of Coco Canary Consulting, LLC, a creative evaluation firm.
We are based in St. Paul, MN, and acknowledge that we are on the stolen lands of the Dakota People (specifically the Wahpekute Band of Dakota, who are among the Oceti Sakowin, “Seven Council Fires”). These people were the first stewards of the lands we occupy, and they are still here. We honor their connection to this land and their ongoing resilience in the face of violent colonialism. Learn how to go beyond a land acknowledgment by reading this guide by the Native Governance Center.
Art drawn by Molly C. O’Connor
A Grounding
Black Lives Matter. Justice For:
Native-Led Movement News and Calls to Action
- The Mni Sota Makoce Honor Tax: If you live in the Twin Cities, check out the Mni Sota Makoce Honor Tax and consider joining me in pledging to donate funds. If you are a colonizer, like I am, it is one of many ways to acknowledge we are on stolen lands and have benefitted from these lands. I plan to take time in June to review my finances and become an honor tax donor. To donate directly, click here.
- Urge the Biden administration to shut down the Line 5 pipeline. Join me in signing this petition!
- And while you’re at it, call your Senators (202) 224-3121. Ask them to tell Senate Leader Schumer they will oppose any bills that weaken bedrock environmental and public health laws being attached to must-pass legislation.
Other News
- Gov. Walz signs bill legalizing recreational cannabis in Minnesota
- “Legalizing adult-use cannabis and expunging or resentencing cannabis convictions will strengthen communities.”
A photo collage of the May 2023 Evocative Playback and Community Playback session in Seattle, WA
Business Updates
1. A Creative Evaluation Project Highlight #2: A Virtual and In-Person Evocative Playback To Bring It All Together
In my last newsletter, I shared that I went to Seattle, Washington, in March for a Creative Evaluation and Community Engagement project for Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) with the amazing Sully Moreno from Culture Shift Consulting. This project aimed to evaluate and improve how PHSKC contracts with community-based organizations, specifically with BIPOC-owned orgs, and how to build more equitable practices within its contracting & procurement process. Check out my last newsletter to learn more about what we did and what our community convening process looked like
Well, I went to Seattle a second time in May for our last community convening, which we called an Evocative Playback session. An Evocative Playback is an embodiment technique where data is translated into an artistic performance or exhibition to allow for deeper meaning-making (watch this video in English or Spanish to learn more).
We brought together community members, PHSKC staff, and four local artists to share our data results & recommendations from the March Convening data. We also read a fictional story co-written by the community about what ideal contracting could look and feel like (the vision statement) and had an art showcase. Below are the four art pieces commissioned for this project, each inspired by what the community said during the March Convenings.
From top left to bottom right: Fakatotofu by Toka Valu; Freedom of Speech by Jake Prendez; Usar su Voz by Rabecca Rocha; Dream Book, Contracts & Change, a Pocket Guidebook by Davida Ingram
Overall, the event was beautiful, well-received, and truly felt like a breath of fresh air. The art will be showcased at the PHSKC building in downtown Seattle, and Davida’s Dreambook has already made its impact by being shared at a conference in Chicago. We had our final presentation to the PHSKC staff last week and are sent off the final deliverables this week. We are also sharing the executive summary with the community members who participated in this process as well.
There is so much more to say about the learnings from this project, especially since its official end date is May 31st. Also, I have received requests for me to write more about the Creative Evaluation process. So, during the summer, I intend to reflect, write, and share these learnings and my process in several future newsletters, Linkedin posts, and hopefully a lunch-and-learn presentation with Sully.
Sully was interviewed by PHSKC communications staff to share more about this project
2. Molly is Out of the Office for the Month of June!
I’m taking a much-needed rest for the month of June. It will also be a month of reflection. Over the years, I’ve done an “annual narrative” that usually aligns with a July – June cycle. So, I’ll be working on that and updating my website.
Fun fact: my sister is also getting married in June, and I’ll be a helpful sister and brides-person in D.C. for over a week.
Other Business Updates
Coco Canary — Self-Titled Album: Soft Launch!
Big News! The music I’ve been working on with Matthew “Hope” Gogola is finally complete. It is only on Bandcamp right now (think of it as a soft launch). Please check it out here and let me know what you think!!!
Minnesota Evaluation (UN)Conference: Still Accepting Proposals until June 1st.
If you are local-ish to the Twin Cities and have a creative, engaging, and/or inspiring project or idea to share with the world, please consider submitting a proposal!! Individuals chosen to speak will be given a small stipend and a free ticket to the conference! Learn more about the conference here.
Personal Update
Mike’s Prostate Cancer Surgery Recovery Cont., Seattle Adventures, Coco Canary Music, and Spring Vibes!
Hey all, and welcome new subscribers!
- Mike is Cancer Free!: Some of you have already heard, but Michael is officially cancer free (i.e., his PSA came back as >.1). There is still a ways to go for PT, and he will monitor his PSA for the next several years to confirm his cancer doesn’t come back. Even with that, we are celebrating this win. If you want to keep updated about his recovery journey or have no idea what I’m talking about and are curious to learn more, you can visit our CaringBridge site.
- Seattle Adventures 2.0: After our work was complete, Sully, her husband, Adam, and I spent a day hiking. They took me to a great spot with a beautiful view of the San Juan Islands.
- Coco Canary Music: We had a gig in April! We opened for the amazing Keller & Griffin Partners in Injury, LLC, and played alongside the talented Kaylee Kitzman. As you saw above, we debuted the Coco Canary EP with a soft launch. It’ll be available on all streaming platforms in June. 🙂
- Spring Vibes: I love spring. It’s a time when I explore the woods for mushrooms before the mosquito hatch. It is also the time to go to farmer’s markets to buy flowers and vegetables to plant in our garden.
Sending so much love.
– Molly
Let’s Stay Connected!
To keep up to date with my business news, connect or follow me on Linkedin. Don’t forget to follow our newsletter (and share it with others)! And, of course, if you know of anyone who may benefit from our Creative Evaluation services, send them our way. Referrals are what make the world go round.
In solidarity,
Molly O’Connor (she/her/hers)
Founder, Principal Consultant, and Creative Evaluator
direct: (612) 868-0364
email: moconnor@cococanary.com
website: cococanary.com
