For the past couple of months, I’ve had a recurring thought. It’s not every day, and it’s not intrusive, but it’s enough to notice its frequency and pay attention. On December 13, 2025, two separate individuals set out to change the world single-handedly. They both headed to Providence, Rhode Island, to do so. They were physically about 8 minutes away from each other. And around 4:00 p.m., they both entered buildings where people were gathering. One set out to make the world darker. The other set out to bring a little light to an increasingly darker world.
It’s about then, when I force that recurring thought to separate the despicable school shooter at Brown from my warm, kind friend Luz.
Luz, the word for light in Spanish, single-handedly hosted the last BIPOC Coffeehour of the year. That night, she created a safe space for creators of color to feel seen, accepted, and understood. She made the world better, when at the same time in the same city, others chose the opposite. I think the recurring thought is not so much marveling at the duality of that night and all the eerie similarities – it’s about the choice we all have. We, as individual artists, can create good.
I’m so proud of Luz, LuzJennifer, LJ, and how she continues to bring community to creatives. And I’m proud of our BIPOC Coffee Hour initiative – where individuals can create a safe space for creativity that otherwise wouldn’t exist and is sorely needed.
-Frank Maradiaga.
