About me
ashley herring she/her is a queer Black mama, aunty, theatre teacher of 24 years, youth organizer, housing advocate, and so much more. ashley currently runs a small grassroots org that centers Black youth in Cambridge and the greater Boston area. ashley feels very grateful over the years to have been in community with other artists who are pushing the boundaries of meeting theatre and being in direct engagement with community. ashley worked on Notes from the Field with Anna Deavere Smith and White Card Claudia Rankine. ashley was also fortunate to work with the Abolitionist Teaching Network, and still works alongside them on speciall projects. ashley ALWAYS blends arts and education in her work with community. ashley serves as the co advisor of the Black Student Union and Cambridge Rindge and Latin. In this space she supports young people using many means of art to discuss the Black diaspora. lastly, ashley is the proud Dreamer+founder of blackyard. blackyard, also known as blackyardarts. Blackyard is a grassroots org that centers Black children. blackyard shows up for Black children and families in schools as an aunty and advocate, runs professional development for K-12 schools and youth programs, we run programming specifically for Black trans and queer youth, and we have a Black Liberation homeschool co op. blackyard intersects art and Black Liberation. ashley still sings at 10:30 at night, roller skates on the basketball court, and deeply loves her children and partner.
