The Pillow Talk Project focuses on three areas with the intention of ushering in progressive masculinities that nurture, build, and grow, instead of damage, tear down, and destroy: storytelling, digital and social activism, and community engagement.
We’re trying to do the seemingly impossible at The Pillow Talk Project: push the world to rethink not only how we see men, but the archaic, violent, and dangerous archetypes of masculinity that adversely affect all of us, especially women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.
In order to reach such an ambitious goal, it’s important to create safe spaces around the country where men–and those who love them–can begin the process of healing, learning, connecting, and growing, while understanding our own roles in reinforcing such damaging archetypes of masculinity. Only then can we re-work, re-think, and re-imagine ourselves, habits, and actions, igniting change on an individual and collective level.
The Pillow Talk Project focuses on three areas with the intention of ushering in progressive masculinities that nurture, build, and grow, instead of damage, tear down, and destroy:
Storytelling
Through stories, articles, research, interviews, art, performance, etc. we uplift the voices, perspectives, and experiences of men (and women) all over the country that are often underrepresented, ignored, and silenced.
Digital and Social Activism
We create compelling campaigns (for ourselves and others!) that counteract negative stereotypes and divisive rhetoric, while promoting diversity, inclusivity, and racial and gender equity.
Community Engagement
Through Pillow Talk events, we teach and foster fearlessness, empathy, and vulnerability using thought-provoking, art-based activities that reclaim the kitchen counters, living rooms, patios/porches/stoops, and bedrooms as safe(r) spaces for necessary heartfelt conversations, learning, healing, and growth.
Want to be involved in The Pillow Talk Project movement? Let’s chat.
In 2019, Keith F. Miller, Jr., observed something remarkable while running creative writing after school programs in Savannah, GA: Students from all backgrounds didn’t just step outside their comfort zones—they learned, led, and thrived with unmistakable joy. Despite this, Keith heard from students and families that school, even for the high-achievers, was a place they survived, not thrived. This led Keith, through his studies in Educational Psychology, to explore why young people felt empowered to learn, lead, and heal in some spaces but not in others.
Through a qualitative research study involving interviews with high schoolers, fellow teaching artists over a year, in addition to examining creative works from youth journals and performances, Keith found that when young people engage in arts-based healing practices with trusted others (peers and adults), they don’t just cope with their struggles—they transform them, becoming vibrant leaders in the process.
Drawing inspiration from the process of rainbow formation—reflection, refraction, and dispersion—and building off of groundbreaking research from scholars like David Kirkland, Gholdy Muhammad, Bettina Love, Bianca Baldridge, and Shawn Ginwright, Keith developed the Healing Literacy Framework, illustrating how arts-based, community programs are vital in supporting young people as they overcome educational trauma, and, in doing so, can result in transformative partnerships in school and beyond that prove healing is possible for everyone.
Enter, HEALIT
In 2019, Keith F. Miller, Jr., observed something remarkable while running creative writing after school programs in Savannah, GA: Students from all backgrounds didn’t just step outside their comfort zones—they learned, led, and thrived with unmistakable joy. Despite this, Keith heard from students and families that school, even for the high-achievers, was a place they survived, not thrived. This led Keith, through his studies in Educational Psychology, to explore why young people felt empowered to learn, lead, and heal in some spaces but not in others.
Through a qualitative research study involving interviews with high schoolers, fellow teaching artists over a year, in addition to examining creative works from youth journals and performances, Keith found that when young people engage in arts-based healing practices with trusted others (peers and adults), they don’t just cope with their struggles—they transform them, becoming vibrant leaders in the process.
Drawing inspiration from the process of rainbow formation—reflection, refraction, and dispersion—and building off of groundbreaking research from scholars like David Kirkland, Gholdy Muhammad, Bettina Love, Bianca Baldridge, and Shawn Ginwright, Keith developed the Healing Literacy Framework, illustrating how arts-based, community programs are vital in supporting young people as they overcome educational trauma, and, in doing so, can result in transformative partnerships in school and beyond that prove healing is possible for everyone.