How can art bring people together in a world divided by race and culture? In this episode of “Everyday Conversations on Race,” we explore how creativity can break down walls and build genuine relationships across cultures.
Meet two artists who use their craft to challenge boundaries and connect communities. Carlos “Kookie” Gonzalez, a Chicano artist and former gang member, shares his journey from the streets of San Francisco to becoming a renowned muralist. Carlos reveals how he turned his life around through art and now brings people together through community murals that tell the stories of struggle, pride, and resilience. Discover how he engages young people to see art as a path to a better future, rather than a life on the streets.
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Laurie Marshall, an artist and educator, joins Carlos to discuss her “Singing Tree” project, which has united over 24,000 people from 52 countries in creating murals that envision a world of peace and understanding. Laurie describes how this collaborative process invites people to create something bigger than themselves and reimagine what’s possible when diverse voices come together.
Together, Carlos and Laurie explain how art can do more than just decorate walls—it can change minds, shift perspectives, and unite people who might never have met otherwise. They share actionable ideas on how anyone, regardless of background or skill level, can use art to spark conversations, dismantle stereotypes, and create new stories that connect us all.
Tune in to hear powerful stories of transformation and learn how you can use art to bridge divides and build a more connected world.
Guests Bio:
Laurie Marshall
For 3Laurie Marshall,5 years, Author, Innovator and Artist Laurie Marshall has empowered youth and adults through creative collaboration. She practices Peace Building through Art, inspired by Nature. A visionary educator, she has served mostly low-income children, families and their schools as an Arts Integration and Project Based Learning specialist. Her mission is to nurture creativity, a love of learning, and a collaborative spirit. She is the founder of Unity Through Creativity Foundation and the Singing Tree Project.
Carlos “Kookie” Gonzalez was born in the San Francisco Mission District in 1959. He has been drawing and painting since childhood, and is a muralist, activist, visual artist, retired probation officer, and musician. As a young man, he was required to perform community service that involved working with muralists, and he quickly fell in love with the craft. Gonzalez attended San Francisco State University (SFSU) from 1983 to 1991, where he was a member of La Raza Student Organization. With La Raza, Gonzalez protested for multiple causes including solidarity in El Salvador and fighting for migrant farmworkers. He continues to work on private commissions and a mural project for affordable housing in the Mission District. Gonzalez’s work reflects the street life, activism, music, and struggles of life as a Chicano/Latino in the Mission District.
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Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. Simma is the creator and host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.”
Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com to get more information, book her as a speaker for your next event, help you become a more inclusive leader, or facilitate dialogues across differences.
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
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Previous Episodes
Will Music Transcend Racial Divides?
Racial Disparities In Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis And Death
Navigating the End of Racial Disparities in Healthcare