Biography
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Julie Rainbow is a research-based cultural creator who uses oral histories, multi-media, and research/archival materials to interpret and amplify the voices of the aging in modern society. Recent projects have included community data-driven storytelling, and directing the community based project Journey to Sanctuary: The Philadelphia Story of Faith and Transformation in the Second Great Migration of African-Americans from the South which received a grants from the National Endowment of the Humanities, the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and the Leeway Foundation. Her passion for activating relevant historical projects in new and interesting ways to engage and connect communities inspired funding from the North Carolina and Georgia Humanities Councils. She has extensive experience working with students, artists, and curators exploring ways of linking visual culture, historical narratives to the broader community experience.
She is able to build alliances among diverse communities allowing community members to be heard, respected and affirmed. Her community building work began as a Kellogg Foundation International Leadership Fellow where fellows from three continents worked together to learn, lead and developing strategies to ensure community engagement in designing initiatives. The fellowship provided learning in seven countries on four continents and lead her to design Building Bridges of Understanding: Exploring Identities, Contexts and Competencies with Youth, funded by W. K. Kellogg Foundation. As a member of the National Coalition Building Institute in Atlanta, GA, she further strengthened her capacity to build alliances with diverse communities which was exemplified with Nurse-Family Partnership where she worked as Regional Developer and Lobbyist building coalitions in nine southern states on behalf of vulnerable families. |
Her projects related to arts and heritage build common interests within cities, regionally and nationally and provide opportunities for groups and individuals to learn about different cultures through narratives. Sharing stories was derived from her Southern roots, where intergenerational relationships were customary. Experience has taught her that emotional resonance is the common thread that connects while reminding people of their humanity. In 2016, Julie received the Leeway Foundation Transformation award which allowed her to integrate her experiences as a W.K. Kellogg Foundation, International Leadership Fellow, an author of “Standing the Test of Time: Love Stories of African American Elders”(Pilgrim Press) that was adapted into a play mounted at both the National Black Arts Festival and National Black Theater Festival. Her work has been featured at The U.S. DHHS Administration for Children and Families: Healthy Marriage Initiative and on television. More recently she directed the documentaries Journey to Sanctuary: The Mother Bethel Story and Bryn Mawr College: Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research: Centennial Celebration and was humanities consultant with Scribe Video Center, Precious Places Projects. She was a Flaherty Film Seminar Fellow (2017) and is currently a Wyck Community Fellow.
Julie Rainbow holds a BA in Economics from Spelman College and a MSW degree from the Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. Additional professional training includes coursework in ethnography, photography, filmmaking and qualitative research. She is Principal of Julie Rainbow & Associates, a documentary media company focused on the oral histories of African American elders. The company develops digital film and audio presentations, print media, workshops and exhibitions designed to amplify the unheard voices and stories of elders, with the intent to promote understanding, appreciation and inclusion of their vital roles in our collective history, culture and future.
Julie Rainbow holds a BA in Economics from Spelman College and a MSW degree from the Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. Additional professional training includes coursework in ethnography, photography, filmmaking and qualitative research. She is Principal of Julie Rainbow & Associates, a documentary media company focused on the oral histories of African American elders. The company develops digital film and audio presentations, print media, workshops and exhibitions designed to amplify the unheard voices and stories of elders, with the intent to promote understanding, appreciation and inclusion of their vital roles in our collective history, culture and future.