Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes
She, Her, Hers
Ethnicity - African American
Occupation - Co-Founder & Co-Pastor of Double Love Experience Church
What global experiences have you taken part in when you were a student and/or as a young professional?
While in divinity school I studied abroad in Cambridge, England for 3 months. I also did a 10 day short term travel seminar to India.
How has Global Education impacted you personally, academically, & professionally?
Global education gave me a global perspective. It helped to remind me of how large the world is and the ways in which my skillsets can be applied in various geographic locations.
What challenges have you had to overcome as you gained your global experience(s)? I had to raise the finances to do the travel. That was tough. Visas, flights, lodging, tuition etc. are not cheap. My village helped me raise what I needed.
What or who inspired you to take part in a study/internship/work abroad experience?
I was looking for a change of pace. I was burned out by my lifestyle in America and was looking for another way of approaching the world. I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I did not want to pass up.
How has your identity impacted your global experience(s)?
As a black woman in the UK, I became very aware of my own racial heritage. Many black people in England are from the Caribbean or the continent of Africa. I enjoyed getting to know black people from homes that were different from my own.
How has/ had seeing other people of color/diverse backgrounds influenced your decision to study/ intern abroad?
It was fascinating to be around individuals who spoke the same language as me but had completely different world views. It was a powerful shift in the ways in which I approached labor and leisure.
As a Kultural Kurator, what does culture mean to you?
Culture is the unspoken way we move through the world. It's forms you.
Self/Soul care is so important as we live our lives and grow in our professions. How do you incorporate self/soul care into your life?
Take time to slow down.
What advice would you give to a future Kultural Kurator as they think about taking opportunities to explore the world around them?
Allow yourself to learn the culture of the place you live in. Observe more than you speak. Take it in. Embrace it.
How can others follow you on social media and/or is there an email address or website that you'd like to share? (optional)
Instagram: @pastorgabbycwilkes @doubleloveexperience FB.com/gabbycudjoewilkes Twitter: @gabbycwilkes
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