About the Event

“Conscious consumerism” describes a shift in buyers’ behavior to reflect their commitment to choices that have a positive social, economic and environmental impact. To reach conscious consumers, brands must adapt to creating more conscious products and spaces. In this Fresh Talk, attendees will hear from designers, creators, business owners, and artists who specialize in conscious branding and ethical production with a focus on sustainability.

Featuring Anne Marie Johnson (founder and owner, Bitter Grace), Kelly Perkins (founder and CEO, Spinster Sisters), Zsameria Rayford (founder, SwapDC), and Aurora Robson (environmental artist).

The panel discussion will begin at 4 pm, followed by our Catalyst Cocktail Hour at 5 pm on the Mezzanine. Come early to visit the Makers’ Market and Open Studio!

Panelists

Anne Marie Johnson is the founder and owner of D.C.-based lifestyle and clothing brand Bitter Grace, and the host of the podcast “The Path to Conscious Living.” While she aims to raise awareness of conscious fashion through education and transparency, her greatest mission is to be a guiding source toward authentic self-expression, empowering individuals to embrace the style that mirrors their aspirations. Johnson advocates for sustainable fashion, emphasizing wearability and longevity. She provides individual, executive, and corporate consulting services, leading individuals to invest in pieces that resonate with their lifestyles and personal values.

Kelly Perkins, the founder of Spinster Sisters Co., hails from scenic Boulder, Colorado, where she cultivated her passion for conscious living and sustainable practices. Spinster Sisters Co. is a WBENC Certified woman-owned and B Corp Certified business. It consciously crafts all of its skin, hair, and bath products with premium, plant-based ingredients, with a focus on plastic-free packaging and sustainable production practices. Beyond her professional pursuits, Perkins finds solace in nature, indulging in sailing, camping, and hiking. With her two beloved dogs and supportive (and super cute) husband by her side, Perkins resides in Golden, Colorado.

Zsameria Rayford (moderator) is the creator of SwapDC, a Washington, D.C.-based company aiming to bring awareness to the consequences of consumerism on our environment and culture. Known for her unique style, this D.C. native uses her eclectic background and years in the business industry to empower and influence progress in her community. She uses her skills as a strategic community influencer and event organizer to secure and host some of the most influential events in the area. Her goal is to continue to educate new audiences on the many ways to reduce waste through creative recycling and environmental literacy.

Aurora Robson is a multimedia artist known predominantly for her meditative work intercepting the plastic waste stream. Robson is a recipient of a Pollock-Krasner Grant, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in sculpture, a TED/Lincoln Reimagine Prize, and a National Endowment for the Arts Art Work Grant. Robson is also the founding artist of Project Vortex, an international collective of artists, designers, and architects who work in innovative ways with plastic debris. Since 2014, Robson has been developing and assisting with the implementation of a course called “Sculpture + Intercepting the Waste Stream,” designed to foster creative stewardship through academia at colleges, universities, and high schools around the world.

About Women, Arts, and Social Change

Women, Arts, and Social Change is a public programs initiative that highlights the power of women and the arts as catalysts for change. Fresh Talk, the initiative’s signature program, features cause-driven conversations with leading artists, designers, activists, social innovators, and others.