LOS ANGELES – There has been a lot of pain in the air since the killing of George Floyd. Treesje Empowers, an artist and psychologist, is hoping to transfer that pain into purpose.

As a participant in the Sound of Change, a demonstration at City Hall in Downtown Los Angeles planned by Darryl J. and Alice Issac Productions, she is hoping to help the community take the time to process and heal through wellness exercises and art experiences.

“I’ve been feeling a burden in my spirit. That God’s people are weary. They’re tired. And I truly believe that we can only run so far on anger and pain. And we have to tap into our spirits and love so that we can sustain ourselves for the road ahead. I believe that our people have a long road ahead to make this change, and today I just want to fill my people up with some joy,” Empowers said.

Joy like the sound of the harp, played by artist Megan Tibbits, accompanied by poetry and music, all in front of City Hall. Empowers says the mind and the body all need healing in times like these and her experiences in the field as a psychologist remind her of that.

“As you see I’m an African American woman but I’m also a licensed psychologist and I work in the public school system working with students that battle anxiety and depression. Working with brown and black students on a daily basis. And I know how much we struggle with as a people, how much of a burden we carry, and I truly believe that mental health is one of the keys to unlocking our full capacity. It’s also one of the keys that need to be addressed to minimize the crimes in our great nation,” Empowers said.

Organizers are providing experiential art activities to help protesters channel pain and vision through creativity, while creating a space to document history.

“As an event producer, I wanted to bring the medium of live music, live art, and spoken word to also speak out on behalf of this movement. Creativity is a powerful tool to set an atmosphere of peace,” said Alice Issac, one of the organizers of the rally.

Artists like Empowers were more than willing to participate.

“We’re hoping that the art is something that opens up the hearts of people, that draws people in, in a fresh way. We can only chant for so long, but I think that our people need to be filled up,” said Empowers.

The Sound of Change will continue to take place at City Hall in Downtown Los Angeles. For more information, you can follow them on Instagram at @soundofchange2020.