A Letter from Ayesha Williams, Executive Director of The LP
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” These powerful words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. resonate deeply as we step into this new year, reminding us of the transformative role justice and creativity play in shaping our communities and our futures.
This letter arrives at a moment of significant political and social change, one that challenges us to confront evolving threats to equity, justice, and community well-being. It is a time to affirm ourselves with creativity, reenergize our commitments, and equip our communities with new and lasting tools and strategies necessary to face these challenges. While the current climate may serve as a catalyst, the issues we grapple with—systemic inequities, attacks on justice, and the erosion of community care—are deeply rooted. We can navigate this moment with purpose and clarity by defining and affirming our values through art, culture, and collective imagination.
These reflections came into sharp focus during my recent time in Montgomery, Alabama, where I joined the inaugural retreat of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice’s 2025 Black Leadership Institute. As a member of this 18-month Fellowship program, I gathered alongside 35 Black leaders from across the country—hailing from New York, Rhode Island, Boston, Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Together, we honored the legacies of those who came before us while envisioning how to plant new seeds of justice and liberation through creativity, care, and collective action.
In Montgomery, we visited the home of the Harris family, who secretly sheltered Dr. King, Congressman John Lewis, and other Freedom Riders while they were in the city. We sat at the same kitchen counter where they rested, refueled, and shaped the course of their resistance—turning vision into action and courage into strategy. It served as a reminder of how collective vision, risk, and determination can inspire change. At the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites, I experienced spaces that compelled me to reflect deeply, grieve openly, and celebrate the extraordinary resilience of my ancestors. Their wisdom, strength, and spirit guide me as we move forward. I carry with me Montgomery-raised community organizer Evan Milligan’s powerful call: Who will prioritize getting resources to those putting themselves on the line? His words challenge us to think critically about how we resource creativity, care, and transformation—ensuring that those at the forefront of change are supported, sustained, and equipped to continue their vital work.
At The Laundromat Project, these lessons inform our work as we embark on a milestone year. In July, we will celebrate 20 years of community transformation through art, culture, and connection. Over two decades, we’ve witnessed how creativity can be a powerful catalyst for collective action, community care, and transformative change.
This year, we will continue to weave art and creativity into the fabric of our work. We’ll launch another cycle of our Create & Connect and Create & (Re)Connect microgrants, supporting artists and neighbors as they foster meaningful connections and spark imaginative solutions to community needs. Our Creative Sustainability Fund zero-interest loan program will continue to support artists and cultural practitioners with a commitment to its ongoing impact. The Liberation Series will once again provide a space for transformative dialogue and bold creative exploration, while the 19th season of the Create Change Residency & Fellowship will amplify community voices and bring artist-and-community-led visions to life.
Art has always been a tool for resistance, renewal, and possibility. It allows us to imagine new ways forward, to amplify stories that heal and inspire, connect with one another in profound and enduring ways, and to prioritize resources for those who dare to stand on the frontlines of justice. In these uncertain times, we draw strength from the legacies of those who came before us, holding ourselves accountable to the communities we serve and to the vision of a more just and equitable world.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we will plant, grow, and thrive, ensuring that justice and creativity remain alive in everything we do.
CONTRIBUTORS

Ayesha Williams (she/her) is an arts professional with almost two decades of experience working with visual artists, presenting programs, and generating funding for commercial galleries and nonprofit institutions. In addition to her professional experience, Ayesha is on the board of The Black School, Rivers Institute for Contemporary Art & Thought, and a member of Independent Curators International Independents.