We were lucky to catch up with Tyra Robinson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tyra, it’s so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose, so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose.
I’ve always been passionate about using my design skills to make a difference. This journey started in college when I studied graphic design. For my BFA final exhibition, I chose to create a laser-cut textile series titled “Unforgotten,” which honors the lives of Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, and Jordan Edwards, whose tragic deaths at the hands of police brutality shook me to my core. It was a way to channel my pain and anger into something meaningful, something that could spark conversation and raise awareness. That series later continued as murals to speak out against injustice, dedicated to Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Bonita Carter, and others. In 2020, I felt the need to do more. I created “Good People Vote” as an initiative to celebrate those who chose to vote in person despite the pandemic and ongoing warnings of voter intimidation. After seeing positive results in the community, Good People Vote officially became an organization with a mission to make voter education accessible and inspire action. For me, art is about connecting with people, sparking conversations, and inspiring action. I want my work to make people think, feel, and ultimately get involved in building a better, more positive world. I’m excited to keep exploring how to use my creativity to make a positive impact.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As of now, I wear many hats. I’m a designer, an artist, and a founder. While continuing my Unforgotten series, I’m also passionate about collaboration and using innovation to further voter engagement. Educating voters has become more important now than ever before. While it is a huge task for an early nonprofit, we’ve been blessed with opportunities to grow our impact. We’ve experimented with new approaches, and I’m excited to introduce more innovative ideas. Empowering others to use their voice and make an impact is incredibly rewarding. My mission is to make it simpler for people to understand voter education and encourage them to get more involved in our government. It’s very important to be a self-sufficient voter who’s not swayed by campaigns, jingles, or other people’s influences. Our mission is to create moments that urge conversations as well as self-awareness. This year, we will continue exploring innovative approaches to making elections more understandable than ever, so stay updated!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The biggest lessons for me are:
1) Be open and flexible.
2) Do not put any imaginary boundaries on yourself.
3) Just because you don’t see it right now, doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
Many times, I find myself limiting my capabilities when working on a project for no apparent reason at all. When I feel limited, I ask myself, “Where did that rule come from?” I’m reminded of a valuable lesson from an amazing designer, Shannon Harris, who told me to go wild and break the box to escape that mindset. This advice was pivotal for me, especially when facing a creative block, both on the screen and in life. It has helped me continue to dream big, even when I couldn’t see how to get there. Our thoughts can be the first roadblock, but once you break through those limiting beliefs and focus on what’s imaginable, you can start working on making them a reality.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Art is alive, and I’m blessed to create a space where we can make things that truly matter. We can easily get stuck in our daily routines, but it’s refreshing to dream, bring those dreams to life, and use your art for good, especially when it comes to civic engagement. I want to collaborate with dreamers and visionaries who want to make an impact and drive social change in our society — whether that’s organizing, education, data analysis, or artistic expression.
Good People Vote thrives on experimentation, so if you’re eager to make a difference and see your ideas take root, we want to hear from you! If you’re interested in getting involved in any way, reach out to us at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: www.goodpeoplevote.org
- Instagram: @goodpeoplevote
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyra-robinson/
Image Credits
Photographer: Liesa Cole, Katie Erickson
