Warren’s roots run deep. He’s a lifelong Racine resident with a deep passion for the community.
Warren surrounds himself with artistic people, enjoys attending open mics, and writing. He’s published 3 short stories, and his newest novel is a horror story set in Racine. The story is called Crawlspace. Writing is Warren’s passion.
Although he sometimes appears introverted, his willingness to help others shows outward through his volunteering.
Warren and his wife volunteer through church. They help those in need by volunteering at a Food Pantry. He enjoys unloading trucks and picking up donations. Warren and his wife have been married for 46 years.
Warren has compassion for people, but he also truly loves animals. Warren and his wife rescues animals. Its one of the many aspects that bring him joy.
Samoni is a hard worker. Oftentimes, you can find her behind the counter working at The Inclusive Bean.
She’s a barista. She enjoys serving people.
Even though she works with the public, Samoni, describes herself as being shy. She makes the world a better place by always being nice to those she meets, at work or throughout life.
When she isn’t serving customers, she loves deep diving on YouTube. Her favorite channel is Beauty Unlocked, and her favorite TV show is Baddies.
Samoni is creative. She enjoys doing hair and nails. Qualities she embodies include being kind, nice, sweet, and helpful.
MJ is a creative soul. They are an abstract painter, free verse poet, and an avid reader.
People may not know it, but they were a vegetarian for 12 years and as a tween went to space camp.
MJ describes themselves as an advocate.
“I advocate for sexual violence and mental illness awareness through poetry, spoken word, and sharing my story with the world.”
Likewise, MJ’s hobbies include playing board games at The Sanctum, watching reality TV and medical dramas, attending musical theater performances and cheering on the Brewers and Admirals.
Lastly, MJ describes themselves as a lover. They love their partners and cats. Their strengths also include being passionate, enthusiastic, generous, and adaptable.
Ben can be found with Converse on his feet and Culver’s in his hand. He loves this Midwest-based fast food chain like many Wisconsinites. It’s a toss-up whether that is his favorite food or if enchiladas take the cake.
Walking and shopping are some of Ben’s favorite hobbies.
Ben also has a great sense of humor and enjoys being with others.
He attends the adult day services program through Pathways Living and Learning Center. Likewise, he has attended the Easterseals camp since he was 5 years old. Its one of his highlights each year.
Ann is a mother, wife, and “Grammy” who has invisible illnesses.
She loves live music, sitting around a fire, and going on trips to Myrtle Beach and Door County.
She worked in Special Education for 33 years with Racine Unified School District. Advocating is her greatest strength.
You can always count on Ann to stand up for what she believes in.
Dana is a disability advocate. They were also an adaptive personal trainer. In life, they’ve found joy working at a coffee shop and working alongside people with disabilities.
“We’re humans just like anyone else,” says Dana about being disabled.
Their passion is playing sled hockey. This sport is adaptive and an outlet for Dana. Being a wheelchair user, Dana enjoys showing people they can still have a fulfilling life despite being in a wheelchair or their disabilities.
Dana is outgoing and loves getting people involved in their passions. Dana finds it’s their greatest strength being able to communicate with, and for, people with and for people who may not be understood by others.
Sharing a laugh and a smile is another way Dana connects with others.
Angie, also known as the “Toilet Paper Princess,” is an educator and children’s book author.
Her book acknowledges her battle with Inflammatory Bowel Disease while creating awareness and visibility for this invisible fight.
She’s also a wife and mom.
Angie is a literacy coach. She works at Fratt, through Racine Unified School District. In addition to teaching, she enjoys singing and coloring.
She lives by the quote “you don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”
Her key qualities about herself include knowing her emotions are her strength as well as being optimistic and empathetic.
Sage is a 17 year old living with multiple chronic conditions.
They have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Autism, ADHD and other conditions. These conditions may not always be seen, but are Sage’s reality.
They are proud to say that they are Trans.
“I am Trans in the way that I have brown eyes,” said Sage.
His dream is to become a Gynecologist. They want to help people.
Sage’s hobbies include painting, drawing, writing and creating. In addition to be creative, his favorite quality about himself is his heart. He always gives it his all in all that he does too.
Juli is the kind of person that brightens up each room she walks into.
She’s a wife, mom, a dog mom, and friend.
She was diagnosed at 60 years old with ADHD and has found clarity through her diagnosis.
She finds her strength to be organization, being kind, and helping people do the things they may not be good at, but she enjoys.
Juli hopes that people remember that kindness is free and she works to be as kind as she can be with the hope that it rubs off on others.
Juli is bubbly, thrifting is her favorite sport, and she always rocks the color pink.
Where Juli goes, a smile goes with her.
Ben’s another face you may know as he’s involved in Racine’s very own The Inclusive Bean.
He’s proud of being able to call himself a graduate, having been able to lose weight and feel even more confident.
He identifies as having AuDHD and finds joy in inspiring others.
He’s a big believer in “persistence is key” and it pays off.
Holly is a book worm, a lover of Target, and can quote Grey’s Anatomy word for word.
Her greatest joy is spending time with her family.
She’s a wife and mom. She has one son and a soon will welcome her first daughter into the world. She has two dogs and enjoys daily walks.
Holly works as a nurse and is extremely devoted to her career. She strives to always provide the kind of care to patients that she would want to encounter.
A fun fact about her is that she was a collegiate athlete. She was on the Track and Field team. Her event was high jump.
Alicia is a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She’s outgoing and a lover.
She loves watching sporting events. You will always know when Alicia is at a game because she’s always the loudest one rooting on the sidelines.
Alicia attends Matthias Academy. She enjoys being with her friends and doing various activities in the community.
You can always find a book in Alicia’s hands. She also really enjoys coloring and playing ball. Alicia has a canon for an arm too!
Alicia could win an award for how much she loves chocolate milk and tuna pasta salad!
Chase is an 11 year old living with Type One Diabetes.
He’s an identical twin, but also has two other siblings. Chase’s story intertwines with his twin’s story.
Chase’s strength is being a good listener. He’s able to listen to his body when he experiences low blood sugar episodes, but he also good at being a good friend to others by listening to them.
He is the goalie for the club soccer team that he plays for. In addition to enjoying soccer, Chase likes playing video games with friends too.
He’s also good in math and also finds strength in advocating for diabetes awareness.
Zak is an 11 year old living with Type One Diabetes.
He is Chase’s twin. They share a bond that no one can understand as they both have this chronic condition.
Zak loves playing football. He plays both tackle and flag football. Likewise, he plays both offensive and defensive line.
“Diabetes doesn’t stop me from doing what I want and reaching my goals,” said Zak.
Zak describes himself as being good at listening to his body. He’s good at English and art.
He makes the world a better place by being kind to all.
A note from the Author
Thank you to each participant who took time to come out to The Inclusive Bean to support the Visible Racine project through ArtRoot and their Writer-in-Residence program. Peg, I appreciate your support and ability to believe in my project too.
The project’s participants were full of courage to be photographed and to share their stories. Each of their stories hold value and highlight their own resiliency while showcasing who people are in addition to having a disability
I am extremely grateful to The Inclusive Bean who has been a supportive location for my residency and for this project. It has shown me just how pivotal having accessible and empathetic businesses/nonprofits is to a community. Likewise, I am thankful to Jason Love from Racine Video who took time out of his schedule to record and film participants.
This project united Racine and showed that we are visible when we stand together.
Each portrait posted and it’s biography will be on display at The Inclusive Bean starting Friday, November 11. Stop by to grab a cup of coffee and to see the portraits in person.
