Toya Lillard: Nuggets of Freedom

Our seventh installment features Toya Lillard, with our host Courtney J. Boddie from the Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie Podcast, who holds spaces for Black girls, women and gender expansive youth to process how policies, procedures, practices and perceptions have adversely affected them. Lillard’s ultimate mission is to construct braver environments for personal reflection, where individuals share their stories with others in order to secure a sense of liberated community. 

During her youth, Lillard’s hyperawareness illuminated the injustices that Black women experienced daily, which influenced people treating her differently and lost opportunities compared to her white counterparts. Based on statistics:

  • Black girls are 6x more likely to be suspended than their White counterparts, which robs them of their education

  • Black girls are seen as less innocent, not needing protection and not untrustable

Lillard “knew what it felt like to be a leader, but was treated like a problem.” From a recent report, 48% of Black women see themselves as leaders, which is the largest ethic group to have this belief, however, it is ironic that society treats this group opposite. With our civilization still centered around patriarchy, the norm is to devalue women, especially Black and women of color.

Continuing the investigation upon injustice, it led Lillard to examine racist policies in the arts, including initiatives of consultant hires in an effort towards anti-racism in cultural institutions. Institutions frequently hired them when DEI conversations started to occur, however, organizations never moved past conversations where trainings acted as guarantees of antiracism but normal racist patterns continued to manifest. The main point: individuals cannot train themselves out of the hard questions that we have to ask ourselves and institutions. Additionally, consultants should be alternative options not the first, instead think primarily about stakeholders who have ample statements towards reconfiguration. 

Looking towards the future with an abolitionist mindset, we do not cancel individuals, we hold them accountable so that they can contribute to this movement. The individuals that NEED to do this work are the ones with the power, while the ones without power have the right to rest and heal to stay alive. Accountability is a consistent issue regarding racism because individuals continually look to the people who have been harmed to solve all the problems, instead of the ones with power. Yet, when the oppressed provide solutions, individuals ignore the truth. 

In Lillard’s version of a racially just world, truth and reconciliation must be at the forefront to acknowledge the arts harmful past with Black and brown individuals. It might make people uncomfortable, but necessary growth towards equality. 

Join us next week when Courtney interviews C. Brian Williams, native of Houston, Texas, and graduate of Howard University. He researched the percussive dance tradition of stepping, exploring the many sides of this exciting, yet under-recognized American art form to found Step Afrika! in 1994. 

Toya Lillard is a theater director, artist, activist and educator.  A native Houstonian, Toya graduated from Houston’s High School for Performing and Visual Arts. She has directed plays, developed curricula, led advocacy efforts and implemented innovative teaching artist training programs both in and out of our city’s schools. Prior to joining viBe, Toya served as Director of School Programs for The New York Philharmonic’s Education Department, where she helped to develop its nationally recognized School Partnership Program. In addition to leading viBe Theater Experience, Toya is also part-time faculty at The New School, where she teaches Global Dramatic Literature, Devised Theatre, and Portfolio 1. Toya is also an adjunct professor at CUNY CityTech, where she teaches Black Theater. Toya holds a B.A. from Vassar College, and an M.A. from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Toya serves on the Board of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, and is an Affiliate Representative on the Board of the Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance.