The Liberated Arts Movement: How Tara Is Changing Communities One Creative Step at a Time

Tara Levy was inspired to launch the Liberated Arts Movement last summer after reflecting on her experiences, education, and passion for art and community building. "I was just reviewing my experiences and education, and my love for art, and building communities through art," she explains. During this time, Tara also sought employment but struggled to find a position aligned with her vision. "I couldn't find it. I would find bits and pieces," she recalls, frustrated by almost landing ideal opportunities only to face rejection.

Rather than allowing these setbacks to defeat her, Tara shifted her mindset. "I took it as a sign that maybe I should be creating my own role," she says. With her teacher background and visual and performing arts talents, Tara saw the potential to create something meaningful. "Utilizing my experience and education as a teacher... maybe I'm looking to create that role," she reflects.

Thus, the Liberated Arts Movement was born—an organization designed to activate Tara’s vision for education, community development, and youth empowerment. "It came out of necessity to activate the visions I have in combining education, community development, and youth development," she says. The movement serves as a platform that employs creativity as a catalyst to inspire and uplift communities through art to improve mental and physical health.

What are you most proud of achieving with the Liberated Arts Movement?

Tara is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of the Liberated Arts Movement, a significant milestone in her entrepreneurial journey. "We have an extended weekend of community events in the Chicago area," she shares, reflecting on the excitement of this achievement. However, Tara is most proud of the unwavering support for her vision. "I'm most proud of my courage and support for the vision I have," she says.

The journey has not been easy. Tara acknowledges the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly in an era where social media often glamorizes the process. "Instagram glamorizes entrepreneurship," she observes, pointing out the gap between online portrayals and the real struggles of building a business.

Despite the numerous hurdles, Tara's resilience shines through. "I'm most proud of the fact that I'm still on this journey," she says. "I haven't been so down and disappointed that it just totally dissuaded me from continuing the path that I'm on."

Her unwavering determination to push forward, motivated by her growth and the movement's progress, is truly inspiring. "I'm proud of my courage to put myself out there, to continue to try and try again," she shares, acknowledging how far she has come since the early stages of her entrepreneurial journey, admitting, "Because I know three, four years ago, that was not the Tara that would have been doing that. I’d have been like, 'Actually, I'm good. I'm gonna sit this one out.'" Her growth as an entrepreneur is not just about building a nonprofit—it’s about pushing past her fears and doubts.

Can you describe a significant setback you faced in building your business and how you overcame it?

Securing funding has been one of Tara's most consistent challenges. "Planning out for funding opportunities that don't come through has probably been my most consistent significant roadblock," she admits. Her work is deeply rooted in social impact, which doesn’t always yield immediate financial rewards. "Initially, it’s doing art and cultural events, leading writing workshops for the community. So that doesn’t necessarily make you rich," she says.

Tara further explained, "Not securing funding early on has been a setback," emphasizing how common this struggle is for mission-driven businesses. "Yeah, it's pretty much the standard response regarding money, and I hate that it's that way," she adds.

Despite grappling with the tension between purpose and profit, Tara received advice that shifted her perspective. "She said, 'But money is how you will elevate. Money is how you will get the impact you're looking for, the programs you're developing. That’s how you’re going to make it accessible to people,'" she recalls. Tara learned that while money isn’t her primary motivator, it is necessary to bring her vision to life.

What is the most critical lesson you've learned as an entrepreneur?

One of the most critical lessons Tara has learned is that her work is about more than herself. "My work is not just about me," she shares, reflecting on the profound realization she had during a workshop with high school students. "I spoke to 10th through 12th-grade students, and typically, it's on a Saturday, so it was hard to get a teenager excited and motivated to participate on a Saturday morning," Tara recalls. Despite the challenge, the engagement she received from the students reinforced her commitment to her mission.

"One of the scholars, she's a junior, was like, 'Hey, Ms. Tara, are you looking for interns? I want to be a part of this, too. I like to write,'" Tara recalls an experience that proved pivotal in understanding the movement’s broader purpose. "That was such a win. That was an aha moment. That was, 'You got to keep doing this,'" she says.

The work she’s building is not just for her—it’s for the community and the young people she aims to inspire. "You have to provide opportunities for other young people to be involved, do internships, elevate their writing skills," she explains. She acknowledges that if her mission were solely about her, it would be easy to walk away when things got tough, but she now understands that the movement’s impact must extend beyond herself. "If it were just about me, I'd be like, 'Alright, we're good. We're done,'" she admits. "It's not going away."

Tara now sees the bigger picture: what she is building, while it may have started with her, is meant to grow and impact countless communities. "When I realized that what I am building, while it may start with me, I eventually wanted to grow and impact so many more people, so many more communities beyond just my reach and my scope," she says, fully embracing the responsibility of her work and its potential to create a broader, lasting change that extends beyond herself. Her journey is a testament to the power of a single vision to inspire and uplift countless others.

Can you describe your experience preparing for the pitch competition and the subsequent crowdfunding campaign? What were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Tara’s journey with the Black Girl Ventures pitch competition started with hesitation. "I had applied previously, maybe in 2022, while I was still developing what I wanted to do, but I wasn't quite sure of it," she shares. She had also applied for a Black Girl Ventures Fellowship earlier in 2024 and was not selected. "I thought, maybe this isn’t for me," she admits. But after encouragement from a board member, she decided to try again. "Tara, I think you really should apply. Look into it," her board member urged. Tara responded, "If I don’t get it, at least I can say I tried."

Surprisingly, Tara received a call that she had been selected as a top finalist when another participant dropped out. This unexpected turn marked the beginning of her preparation. Tara took a structured approach, writing her script and practicing relentlessly everywhere she could. "I just kept on reading my script out loud," she recalls. "If I’m moving, that will help me remember it."

Tara also sought feedback from trusted individuals. "I remember pitching to my parents, grandmother, my best friend—'How’d I sound to you all? Does that sound good?'" she says. This feedback was valuable, as she knew her loved ones would be honest with her.

The crowdfunding campaign, however, was a different challenge. "I didn’t like it so much because I had never really done that," she admits. However, she recognized it as an essential skill to develop. Tara acknowledged how it pushed her to think creatively about presenting her message.

She had to step outside her comfort zone, which ultimately helped her grow. "I didn’t like putting myself on display, having people see me rise or fall. If I get it, if I don’t, they literally will see it," she reflects. Tara learned the importance of vulnerability, which led to increased support from others. "Just from pitching at Black Girl Ventures and sharing what I’m doing on social media, people have reached out saying, 'How can I help? I know someone who could help that you should connect.'"

Looking back, Tara is thankful for the experience. "I’m very grateful for the process," she concludes. The crowdfunding and pitch competition helped her grow as an entrepreneur and deepened her understanding of the power of vulnerability in the entrepreneurial journey.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give entrepreneurs preparing for a pitch competition?

Tara’s advice for entrepreneurs preparing for a pitch competition is clear: "Practice. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it makes progress." While nerves are inevitable, Tara emphasizes the importance of practice in building confidence and comfort. She also advises seeking feedback from trusted individuals. "Get feedback from people you trust and know are going to give you what it is and what it ain't," she says. Honest, constructive critiques can make a big difference in refining your pitch.

In addition, Tara recommends studying other pitch presentations. "Study other people who’ve pitched before, or even if you don’t know about it, look online and see past participants in the competition," she shares. By learning what worked for others, entrepreneurs can improve their delivery.

Where did you allocate the funds?

Tara is currently running fully funded programming for the Chicago Urban League. While the organization doesn't have the budget she's seeking, she can still pay herself and those helping her, thanks to the funding she received from Black Girl Ventures. "Thank you, Black Girl Ventures," she says, acknowledging the support that allows her to keep her team and operations running smoothly. This funding is currently addressing her most immediate financial needs.

Support for women of color entrepreneurs can be limited. Can you share an experience where this was a significant hurdle?

Tara emphasizes the importance of intentionally placing herself in spaces that offer funding opportunities, particularly within the Black community. "I intentionally put myself in Black spaces that do funding," she says, highlighting her proactive approach to finding financial support for her work. Reflecting on her experience, she notes, "I think we haven’t faced any of that," referring to challenges related to accessing funding, as her efforts to connect with these supportive spaces have helped mitigate such obstacles.

What is an entrepreneur's most essential skill or quality for business success?

Tara recognizes the critical role of accountability in her entrepreneurial journey. "I have to hold myself accountable to get anything done," she says, acknowledging that much of her work lacks external oversight. "A lot of my work, no one is holding me accountable for doing it. I could apply for this grant, I could complete this application, or I could not. Nobody’s going to get on me about it," she explains.

Without accountability, Tara understands she risks losing structure. "If I continue to let myself loose, I don’t have any structure," she adds. For Tara, accountability is essential to creating a solid foundation for her business. She believes that having a structured approach is critical for growth. "Accountability is necessary to establish a solid base that will allow the business to elevate to the next level," she says. By holding herself accountable, Tara ensures she stays on track to achieve her long-term goals, continuously driving her business forward.

Can you share a high-risk decision you made that significantly impacted your business?

Tara describes her decision to go full-time as an entrepreneur as a high-risk choice that has significantly impacted both her business and her mindset. "This has been month two of me being a full-time entrepreneur," she shares. Before leaping, she supplemented her income by tutoring 10 to 15 hours a week and concluded a fellowship program to cover some expenses.

As a full-time entrepreneur, Tara now finds herself solely responsible for her success. "Because I am now on my own, I have no choice but to hold myself accountable and be consistent," she explains. With no safety net, Tara understands the stakes. "If it is to be, it’s up to me," underscoring her commitment to self-reliance. While Tara isn’t opposed to asking for help, her success hinges on staying consistent, meeting deadlines, and taking action.

Although the decision hasn’t directly impacted her business yet, Tara acknowledges it has profoundly affected her mindset. "Now that I’m choosing to be a full-time entrepreneur, I gotta amp up some things," she says, recognizing that this shift requires letting go of practices that no longer serve her. She is working to elevate her business and fully embrace the responsibilities of entrepreneurship.

How do you define success for yourself and your business?

Tara defines success both personally and professionally. For herself, success is about aligning with her life purpose. "For the most part, I will say that I am moving in alignment," she shares. While her journey may not have unfolded exactly as she imagined, Tara feels she is on the right path. For her business, success is more concrete—achieving specific goals like impacting schools or expanding to new cities. "When I set a goal and reach it, that is a success," she says.

Tara also emphasizes flexibility. "I know some things I have to be a little more flexible with and pivot when it comes to goal setting," she acknowledges. Despite the need for flexibility, she takes pride in her achievements. "The fact that I’ve had an organization for one year is a success," she notes, celebrating her tangible impact.

What excites you most about the future of the Liberated Arts Movement?

Tara is excited about the expansion of the Liberated Arts Movement. "It's not just about geographic growth but about spreading our mission," she says. Last year, the movement focused on the west side and western suburbs of Chicago, but now Tara is extending her reach to the south side. She is also preparing to travel to Charlotte for a conference, marking a new opportunity to share her work and expand her impact.

What do you envision for the future of Black and Brown women entrepreneurs and small business owners?

Tara envisions a future where Black and Brown women entrepreneurs and small business owners lead the charge for change. "I see Black and Brown women taking over," she confidently states. Tara has witnessed this shift firsthand at business summits, where most participants are Black women. "Whenever I go to business summits, it's like 80 percent Black women there," she notes, emphasizing these women's growing presence and influence in the entrepreneurial space.

Tara also recognizes the societal shift, particularly in how the government responds to the rapid rise of Black women entrepreneurs. "I feel like even the government sees that, which is why they’re trying to cut back on certain bills and opportunities for Black women because they don't think it's equitable," she explains. This reflects how quickly Black women lead the charge, often surpassing expectations.

Beyond the Black community, Tara observes a broader shift in support for Black-owned businesses. "I also see a shift with Black people, even non-Black people supporting Black businesses," she adds. Tara credits the momentum sparked in 2020 for igniting the movement, believing it has only gained strength. "I think 2020 kind of started the moment, but I think the movement is being elevated," she says, expressing optimism for the future.

Tara believes the rise of Black and Brown women in entrepreneurship is transforming business and other areas like politics. "I mean, even in our politics, that’s evident," she concludes, hopeful for what’s to come.

Looking ahead three years, what would you consider a successful outcome for your business?

Tara envisions a successful outcome for her business in the next three years. She hopes to have a fully developed team and expanded reach, particularly to historically marginalized areas in Chicago. She also plans to grow partnerships with schools and cities across the U.S., potentially on the East Coast or in the South. Additionally, Tara hopes to establish a physical space for the movement, marking another significant milestone in its growth.

Running a business can be demanding. How do you prioritize self-care and maintain work-life balance?

Tara has been focusing on improving her self-care routine and making significant progress in creating more structure in her life. She now sets daily routines and checks in with herself regularly. Her morning routine includes waking up, praying, meditating briefly, and journaling her to-do list before touching her phone. She has noticed that checking her phone immediately after waking up increases her anxiety. "The overwhelming list of tasks and the temptation to scroll through social media only increase my anxiety," she says, recognizing how this leaves her feeling off balance. To address this, Tara consciously avoids technology in the mornings and at night, which has become a vital part of her self-care practice.

In addition to her morning routine, Tara checks in with herself throughout the day. She walks, aiming for one in the morning and another in the evening, at least three to four times a week. These walks help her center herself. Tara also takes small breaks when needed, such as a 20-minute shower to reset and recharge. "If I need a break, I take a break," she says, emphasizing the importance of listening to her body and being intentional about self-care.

Tara is also excited to restart therapy. Through Mogul Millennial, she was selected for a free month of therapy and will begin her sessions again next month. She looks forward to this new chapter in her self-care journey.

What is your favorite quote or mantra that guides you as an entrepreneur?

“Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.”—Maya Angelou

Are there any particular books that have significantly influenced your entrepreneurial journey or life?

Book: ​​The Power Within Me: The road back home to the real you by Annice E Fisher, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

What is a must-have tool or app that has streamlined your business operations?

Google, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Everything. 

What is one food you have a hard time saying no to?

Chocolate chip cookies.

What are the next steps for the Liberated Arts Movement?

Tara’s immediate focus is expanding the board of the Liberated Arts Movement and growing partnerships for spring 2025. One key goal is introducing the Liberated Arts Movement as an extracurricular program at local schools.

Any last words?

Tara expresses deep gratitude for the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey. "I feel like I have been through a process," she reflects, acknowledging the personal and professional growth she has experienced. "I’m just very grateful," she concludes, recognizing that each challenge has contributed to her development as an entrepreneur.

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