An Inspired Chat with Michelle Suzanne Snyder of Mid-City

Michelle Suzanne Snyder shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Michelle Suzanne, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
There are actually three things that compel me to lose track of time and find myself again. They are listed here in no particular order:

1. Travel: Whether it’s local or international, traveling on planes, trains and in automobiles (and I cannot forget how much I love walking places) is my idea of heaven on earth. I have lived in Spain, China and South Korea and was once a foreign correspondent during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. For the most part, I have been overseas for the purpose of school or work. One day I will travel – just for the fun of it. But nothing beats moving to a new country and getting to know your neighbors and live off the beaten path where no guidebook is necessary. Daily transformations occur due to unfamiliar surroundings and they inevitably lead to unexpected adventures and opportunities to connect with locals.

2. Creation: I have been writing stories and creating art since I was very young. I have been taking photographs since my dad gave me his old Minolta 35 mm camera in high school. I was even trained by the late great Newsweek photographer Lester Sloan when I was just shy of 17. . That same year I also began writing for a youth newspaper that was funded by The Los Angeles Times, and worked as a print journalist until I turned 24. Currently I am working towards publishing my poems, stories and photographs.
As I grow more comfortable in the skin of my creations, I find I am less concerned with controlling what I’m working on, I find its easy to shed my inhibitions as an artist, writer and poet. Yes, it’s important to fine-tune things, but as I age it’s been really fun to break away from the idea of perfection. And instead I look for moments of serendipity – creative moments that were born of an open mind and an open heart. This is where I truly find myself and the world becomes a canvas.

3. Exploration: Whether it’s a natural landscape with clouds, trees or flowers, or I see a mural on the side of a building, these are the places I need to be. For about a year or so I have been documenting life through the “eyes” of murals that I have seen – wherever I go. It came from a need to honor powerful expressions of culture, identity, and creativity in community. In a world that often favors individualism, murals serve as a reminder of the strength found in unity. They challenge us to envision a world built on understanding, respect, and collaboration.
I often wish I could meet the mind behind the mural because the muralist represents selflessness in art – creating art without ego for the greater good. The artists who create murals are revolutionary because murals bring art into the public sphere. Murals can have a dramatic impact whether consciously or subconsciously on the attitudes of passers-by, when they are added to areas where people live and work. The same could be said for a tree, flower or cloud…you never know what you’re going to discover!

4. Sharing Food: The best way to get to know a person is to sit across from them and share a meal. What’s more, the types of food people eat and the reasons they eat those particular dishes are fascinating to me . My favorite foods are the ones that have nothing to do with my own palette, memories or expectations -and in turn, bring me closer to the plates and hearts of others. I lose myself in the colors, textures and aromas of food and then find myself in the spices, flavors and beauty of each delicious bite or scrumptious slurp!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Michelle Suzanne Snyder is a native Angeleno who uses art and writing to remain committed to community healing and social change. She leads workshops that empower and inspire nonprofit organizations and community groups. Her mission is to build community through customized educational programming, driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts and people-powered efforts.

She is the recipient of both the Western California Journalism Society and Norm Strung Outdoor Writers Association excellence in journalism awards. Michelle received her MA in Nonprofit Program Management from Antioch University Los Angeles. In addition, she also holds the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential, a national nonprofit credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. She is currently a Special Education Teacher Candidate through Teach for America.

Her passion project, DreamOut Project, was born in Southern California with roots all over the globe.

Our vision is to promote a stronger and healthier world by being a trusted resource for education, training and wellness modalities.

DreamOut People’s Project bridges support for nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies and local businesses in order to inspire, educate and empower. By harnessing the power of connection and inquiry, our organization sparks a culture shift toward a more resilient and equitable world.

We believe in the transformative impact–no matter how big or small–individuals have on society. Our generative learning environments nurture authentic exploration…one person at a time.

DreamOut People’s Project has been shared with the following communities:

The Department of Migrant Education in San Diego & Orange Counties
MADE/Elinor
Chapman University
826LA
Creative Rites
Avenue 50 Studios
ZZyZx WriterZ
The Armand Hammer Museum
Pure Love Healing
Eayikes
Little Rock, Arkansas Air Force Base
HappyHer House
The Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and must now be released gets overwhelmed by the complexity of life – the part that feels defeated by pain and suffering. .It’s ok if the world is too much, I am layered. I honor my feelings as deep as they go. My intuition and creativity are always with me, holding my hand in the fog and guiding me towards the light that shines within.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self – embrace the balance between your connection to the universe and your ties to the earth. Here lies your true power.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They would say, “Resilience and growth are the foundations for her work within our communities, and she is someone who often seeks to activate the bond that connects us all.”

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Even though the possibilities ahead are limitless, we are meant to write the story before we live it. I am living in the moment, and this moment is the story that will continue to be told in the next 7-10 years. I am still building momentum. Right now I am tightening my grip on the details.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dreamoutproject.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/69367235/admin/dashboard/

Image Credits
All landscape/travel photos by Michelle Suzanne Snyder
All original art by Michelle Suzanne Snyder
Cover photo by Alexis Rhone Fancher