Today we’d like to introduce you to B. Wilson
Hi B., we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a non-binary, queer, and trans artist, educator, entrepreneur, and community organizer living with Sickle Cell hemoglobin SC. Born and raised on the Northside of Minneapolis, I grew up in a family where justice, activism, and creativity were part of everyday life. My grandmother, Jo Rucker, always reminded us, “these ain’t slavery times no more”—a call to action that shaped how I move through the world.
I attended Minneapolis Public Schools, graduating from Henry High, now called Camden High, before earning my Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2016. By 2020, I had completed my Master of Arts at St. Thomas University and became a licensed special education teacher. In 2022, I co-founded the BIPOC Educators’ Collective alongside Adewale Philip Adenodi, creating a space for BIPOC educators to find community, support, and advocacy.
I’ve worn many hats since I was 18—artist, youth worker, educator, community organizer, and event curator. My journey as a spoken word artist started with Voices Merging, a student-led art collective that gave me space to grow, experiment, and step into leadership. That experience helped shape my belief that art and social change are deeply intertwined.
In 2011 I started Food For Thoughts and in 2014, I co-founded Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, helping to lay the groundwork for a movement that would grow to challenge systems of oppression on both local and national levels. Throughout my journey, I’ve supported the genesis of other organizations and initiatives rooted in justice, education, and community healing—each one a testament to the power of collective action and the necessity of building spaces where marginalized voices are heard and valued.
At my core, I’ve always been someone who thrives in creative spaces, who believes in decolonization and environmental justice, and who sees education as a tool for liberation. I come from a long line of people who have fought for something bigger than themselves, and I carry that with me in every space I enter.
These days, I’m focused on braiding my many talents and interests into a sharper sword—one that cuts through barriers, challenges the status quo, and carves out new possibilities for my community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My path has been a mixed bag. Of course, living with Sickle Cell in Minnesota presents its own unique challenges. As does being Black and queer in a majority white state.
Luckily, my parents strove to give my sibling and I a middle class lifestyle that protected us from the brunt of many, but not all, fires around us. My father, now retired, was a teacher and principal, which gave us a leg up when navigating the school system. My mother, also retired, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or APRN, which was a great support when navigating the complex medical systems with a disease as serious and deadly as Sickle Cell.
For those who don’t know, Sickle Cell disease is a genetic disease. All people with Sickle Cell are born with it. In the United States, it is primarily found amongst those racialized as Black but it is not unique to us. It can also be found in those of Greek and European, Asian, Indian and Latine backgrounds. Sickle Cell impacts the red blood cells in one’s body and is aptly named because the genetic disorder causes some of the red blood cells in those impacted to be sickled shaped or crooked. These cells are also extremely fragile and disintegrate faster than other red blood cells. This leads to ongoing anemia in those living with Sickle Cell. So the disease is sometimes referred to as Sickle Cell Anemia. Outside of anemia, the main symptom of Sickle Cell is undeniable, excruciating pain throughout the body. Those of us with Sickle Cell are also more susceptible to blood clots and are at a higher risk of stroke as well.
As a child I spent unmeasurable amounts of time in the hospital and at doctor appointments often missing school events, parties and other social opportunities leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. As an adult, I often face discrimination, mistreatment or extreme ignorance in the health care system leading to poor or lackluster care, stress and trauma. My friends and family know I’d rather suffer in pain at home than enter a hospital most days, due to the lackluster care and poor training of many health professionals about my condition. Those feelings of loneliness and isolation also return at times due to measures I have to take to protect my health.
As I grow older, Sickle Cell also impacts the type of labor I am able to endure. For example, although I love teaching and working with youth, I have found that working outside my home for 40 hours a week may not be sustainable for my body. This is unfortunate because though I am highly talented, intelligent and capable, many businesses and organizations have not updated their work structures to accomodate competent yet disabled workers like myself.
This is also a blessing in someways because it pushes me to pursue more fiercely independent and entrepreneurial opportunities for myself where I can design my own schedule and work environment. I have become more disciplined in recent years in order to best take advantage of these opportunities.
One of my biggest roadblocks, however, was self-doubt, insecurity and deep depression. I spent the majority of my life not wanting to live and not believing I was worthy of the many blessings and talents bestowed upon me. At times, the monster of self doubt is something I still have to fight, but less and less so as I age and connect deeper to my spirituality, Ancestors and inner power. I am grateful to now be thoroughly enthusiastic about living and life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m B. Wilson, M.A (they/them) also known as brilyahnt — a consultant, strategist, licensed educator, and multidisciplinary artist passionate about merging equity-focused facilitation, creative expression, professional development, and systemic change advocacy. My work is grounded in intersectional justice, community empowerment, and cultivating belonging, using creative and interdisciplinary strategies to drive meaningful impact.
Over the years, I’ve worked across research, curriculum development, event curation, and community engagement. As co-founder of the BIPOC Educators’ Collective, I’ve been dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and supporting educators of color and American Indian educators. I also played a key role in research and curation for nationally recognized projects like States of Incarceration.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the work I’ve done curating spaces that foster deep connection and dialogue. Back in 2011, I founded Food For Thoughts, a series of potluck salons akin to the traditions that fueled the French Revolution—bringing people together to exchange ideas, build community, and challenge the status quo. Since then, I’ve continued this work through events like the Minneapolis Black Weirdo Party and curated experiences at the Dakota Jazz Club, always with the goal of creating spaces where culture, conversation, and liberation intersect.
My leadership experience includes serving as Program Director of the Joy, Justice, and Genius Summer Camp and as Youth Engagement Senior Coordinator for the City of Minneapolis. As a storyteller, public speaker, and facilitator, I’ve co-hosted KMOJ’s Youth Summit radio show and shared insights on national platforms, including the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) Annual Convention.
At my core, I believe in the power of authenticity, artistry, strategy, and community to challenge systems and create change. Whether through community engagement, artistic expression, strategic DEI planning, inclusive practice development, or program design, I’m committed to amplifying marginalized voices and transforming challenges into opportunities for collective liberation.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Just do it! Not to quote Nike, but taking action, making mistakes and being able to reflect on your actions individually and with loving community will definitely take you further than pondering, wondering and incessantly planning.
One thing I wish I knew when starting out is that I am brilliant and should trust myself and my vision. One thing about being a visionary person or someone who is highly creative and willing to experiment is that not everybody who you think *should* understand or support you and your ideas, *will* understand or support you and your ideas.
I regret the time I took letting other people’s fears inform my actions. I regret that I spent so much time seeking validation from others as opposed to listening to my inner voice and knowing. As I have grown older and strengthened my spiritual practices, my trust in myself and my visions has also grown. Taking time to get to know, love and trust yourself is critical to moving through this world and achieving your goals.
Pricing:
- Please contact me for pricing on my website bwilsonbringschange.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bwilsonbringschange.com (coming soon)
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwilsonbringschange
