Joi D. Lewis, Ed. D. describes herself as the artist/activist formerly known as Dean Lewis. After a twenty plus year career in higher education Dr. Joi (who many fondly call her) became the founder and CEO of Joi Unlimited, Coaching and Consulting, a crisis, conflict, and change management firm specializing in transformation of self and systems through radical self-care (healing justice) and radical hospitality (social justice).
Tell us about yourself and your work.
When I was only 7 months old my mother passed away after a painful battle with cancer, leaving my father to raise myself and my sister and brother. As you can imagine, experiencing such a profound loss at such an early age shaped me. My mother was in so much pain that she could not even hold me, as a result there are no pictures of us together. I have come to truly appreciate that even though she was in so much pain she named me Joi — I am indeed a joy instigator.
I grew up in East St. Louis, Ill., a reportedly notoriously challenging place to live from an outsider’s perspective, but my experience there was one of magic and wonder. Growing up I was encouraged to be anything I wanted to be all the while cheered on loudly by a host of family, teachers, mentors, clergy, etc. It made all the difference in the world.
Although I struggled as an undergraduate student and was not the best test taker – I got a whopping 13 on the ACT – I still managed to earn my doctorate degree from an Ivy League school, the University of Pennsylvania. I also spent 20 years working in various administrative roles in higher education – serving as a dean, vice president, vice provost and chief diversity officer, as well as faculty member.
I was also fortunate to be the recipient of a Bush Foundation fellowship, which allowed me to spend a year conducting research in South Africa and launching an artist collective for young people there.
What drew you to the work you do?
Although higher education will always be my first love, I felt a strong calling to do more work centered deeply in the community, particularly with people who have been the most affected by systems of oppression and those allies who are committed to interrupt that legacy.
So in 2013, I left that career to found Joi Unlimited and engage in a year of my own radical self-care practice through yoga, meditation and community healing circles. My debut book, “Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care,” explores my calling to reclaim my own humanity and hold space for others to do the same.
I have found my pathway to do this is by holding the contradictions of both joy and pain. I am drawn to the work of liberation, justice and radical self-care because I grew up just thirty minutes from Ferguson, Missouri, where Mike Brown was shot and killed. Today, I live in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minn. just ten minutes from where Philando Castille was murdered. Both St. Paul and East St. Louis are important places for cultivating the ability to hold the contradictions of joy and pain.
Is there a specific goal you have achieved or change you have led about which you are particularly proud?
I am proud that we have been able to hold space for so many during times of intense crisis, conflict and change while helping individuals, institutions and communities build authentic relationships across differences with unlikely allies. It is such an honor to get to do this work.
In your view, why is social equity, diversity and inclusion important? What strategies have you used to incorporate these values within your professional and volunteer work?
Since the 2014 shooting of Mike Brown, the rallying cry and racism in the United States has grown louder. After Ferguson, the Minneapolis Foundation raised public concern about civil unrest erupting in the city. I was contacted, along with an amazing friend and colleague, to facilitate conversations and hold space for seeming disparate members of the community, such as city officials (including staff from the Mayor’s office, the Chief of Police, and the City Attorney); Black Lives Matter activists; and black community organizations such as the NAACP and Neighborhoods Organizing for Change. Since that time, I’ve worked with city and nonprofit organizations as well as the Department of Justice.
When Jamar Clark was killed in North Minneapolis in 2015, Joi Unlimited, along with the Diaspora Healers Network, provided healing spaces and facilitated difficult conversations. When Philando Castile was killed, Black Lives Matter-Minneapolis activists were gathered in my dining room. As we witnessed the murder on Facebook Live, we connected in a healing circle to express our grief, rage, and frustration.
I regularly connect with teams of healers to convene healing space in the Twin Cities community, around the country, and around the world, sometimes in person and sometimes virtually. For the last three years, the need continues to grow, as phone calls and texts come in daily, sometimes by the hour. As the rallying slogan of the student movement and second-wave feminism from the late 1960s states, “The personal is political.” The folks I work with are not merely clients; they are my people, my family, because we are all connected, each of us.
What is your vision for the future of your organization?
As a bodyworker for the collective body (systems) and individual bodies (self), I see our work as space holders for the discovery of critical pressure points for liberation and healing from trauma through radical self-care. We want to support folks on the front-line, leaders at the highest level as well as the broader community to interrupt systems of oppression, center radical self-care, and create the most just world possible. We hope to continue to do this through our executive and senior leader coaching program and through the workshops, retreats and healing circles we offer.
What tips do you have for other leaders looking to spark motivation?
I want to encourage leaders to consider being completely pleased with themselves. To show yourself some loving kindness and in your quest to make an impact to not forget to stop and notice all of the fantastic things you have already done. I encourage leaders to practice this mantra, “I am amazing, awesome, and brilliant.”
Self-care is a leadership skill that is often overlooked. What advice to you have for other leaders for reducing stress and maintaining energy and enthusiasm?
Make your self-care a priority, make sure you are on your own calendar. Remember there is enough time. It’s less about time and more about energy management. You want to make sure your energy bank is full and is getting lots of deposits.
Join us on Facebook at Radical Self-Care University (RSCU) to be a part of a supportive community of leaders and get tips and and encouragement on radical self-care. Here is a short pro-tip: If you really want to lift your mood and get inspired, put on your favorite song in your office and have a solo dance party. You will feel amazing.
Or read my book, “Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care” and learn about how you can help put healing in the hands of anyone, anywhere. Discover the life changing effects of the Orange Method.
What is your connection with MHQ?
MHQ has been a strategic thought partner in exploring ways to make an impact in the diversity, equity and inclusion space. They have also been hugely supportive to me as I build out the agenda to put healing in the hands of anyone anywhere. Particularly around scale and impact. We also get to work with MHQ as our client to support their work to increase the staff’s capacity in the diversity, equity and inclusion space while centering radical self-care.
