Founded by Nikki Patin, in 2014, Surviving the Mic is a Black, femme, and non-binary led organization of survivors whose mission is to hold brave and affirming artistic, educational, and spiritual space for those impacted by gender-based violence.
Anchored by a methodology developed by writers, performers, and cultural workers. Surviving the Mic uplifts the narratives, artistic excellence, and well-being of people directly and indirectly impacted by gender-based violence through trauma-informed and survivor-centered writing workshops, curated performances, publications, art installations, resources/mutual aid, education, consulting, mentorship, and research.
Surviving the Mic’s current initiatives, programs, and services include virtual and in-person writing workshops, curated performances, a monthly spiritual service called The Survivors Revival, social media campaigns, publications, toolkits, public speaking, community engagement, exhibitions, touring, trauma-informed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consulting services, and trauma-informed Wedding Services.
The Surviving the Mic methodology, developed by and for those impacted by gender-based violence, is designed to help those participating hold brave and affirming artistic space with each other. Surviving the Mic’s first priority population is survivors of sexual violence who are historically de-c-entered, including BIPOC and LGBTQ people, and those navigating disabilities. Surviving the Mic prioritizes the validity of survivors’ artistic visions and craft, where participants learn to amplify their lived experiences within an empathetic and brave-space environment.
The goals of Surviving the Mic are:
- to help artists who’ve been impacted by gender-based violence hone their artistic voices in order to tell their stories in powerful, impactful, and creative ways
- to create curricula and toolkits that can be used a model for other communities who’d like to hold brave and affirming space
- to support cultural, emotional, physical, mental and economic well-being for artists who’ve been impacted by gender-based violence through brave and affirming performances, workshops, publications, and professional development, training, and support
- to provide opportunities for those who have not been directly impacted by gender-based violence to listen and learn from those who have
Surviving the Mic 