Cara Anderson

Delacreme Scholar Spotlight: Class of 2018

By Bragard Kizenga

How did you find the scholar's scholarship and what made you apply?

I believe I saw a post on social media, then received more information via e-mail. For me, what attracted me most to the scholarship was its authenticity. Out of all the scholarships I had heard of and read about, I had never felt as seen and understood as with this one. To be a black body at a PWI, in the science department at that, wasn’t always easy; when including financial difficulty with that mix, my well-being was definitely affected. 

The Delacreme scholarship came at the perfect time honestly, it offered community and support which was beyond valued. From the prompt to the transparency it allowed me to feel safe to acknowledge that I not only needed help, but it was okay to ask for it. 

How does it feel to be one of the first scholars?

Surreal, it’s beautiful to see how the organization has evolved, grown, and continued to support many others in such a variety of different & necessary capacities. 

How would you describe the work you do?

I would say it's centered in compassion, empathy, learning and love; rooted in the mission of climate care as collective healing. Specifically in the act of returning to self, to source (whatever that may be for anyone), as a way to then guide us to how we tend to our inner and outer lands with care. 

So as a yoga asana instructor and Chicago Hub Leader for Black Girl Environmentalist, I’m deeply dedicated to the work of community service, supporting in collective meditation on how we continue to celebrate wholistic wellness as inherently Black and Afro-indigenous; decolonizing* Westernized practices of yoga especially as pertains to diet culture that often leads to cycles of harm in an environmental justice lens. From writers like Sonya Renee Taylor to Adriene Marie Brown, and nutritionists like Dr. Kera Nyemb-Diop. This work is anything, but my own. Most of all - Everyone in BGE consistently leads by example, teaching, and embodying EJ in the variety of its capacities. Truly representing the mission of Black Girl Environmentalist in what it means to create supportive community dedicated to empowering Black girls, women, and non-binary people across environmental disciplines. Through programming, educational resources, and mentorship, BGE strives to support and create opportunities for our community to thrive in the environmental field, with the goal of creating an inclusive, representative climate movement - truly made in the image of all of us.

From the yoga studio to cultivated spaces I hope we can live in a world where all bodies can be treated with the kindness and tenderness we all deserve. Breathing in true communal change, rest, and prosperity.

How would you describe yourself as a creative?

At this moment I find myself drawn to freedom of expression through language and movement. I hope to create more art through yoga asanas, flows, shoots/film, and practicing those in different languages (right now Spanish & Korean). Honoring Black & Brown bodies in all their beauty and effervescence. 

Is there any message you’d like to pass along to current and future scholars?

“We have to reimagine ourselves on this American landscape and reimagining means that you know it can be whatever it is that you are imagining.”

- Sonia Sanchez, Black activist, poet 

Just a gentle reminder  - the knowledge is already within you, the vision is there, the freedom to imagine, sometimes, you just need to return to self, breathe, and listen in the silence .. in community.