Saying Yes to Something New

I did something this week that I have never done before.

I make it a goal to say yes to new experiences—especially when they feel a little scary, intimidating, or outside my comfort zone. This week, saying yes gave me the opportunity to work with professional filmmakers on a documentary art project called Question Bridge: America.

And here is another really cool part: I was referred to the project by Mayor Matt’s office….Thanks Mayor Matt!!  And the filming took place at the Institute Of Contemporary Art in San Jose. How cool is that?!

Back in 2012, a similar project called Question Bridge: Black Males was created. It was a powerful piece, and the exhibit continues to travel to museums across America today.

Now the filmmakers are creating Question Bridge: America.

People from communities across the country were selected to ask questions of their fellow Americans. Each participant also answers questions submitted by other participants. None of us meet one another. All of the questions and answers are recorded separately on film.

When the project is complete, the presentation will work a little like the opening of The Brady Bunch, with faces appearing on the screen and looking toward one another. However, instead of a scripted television family, it will be Americans from many different backgrounds, places, and life experiences having a conversation through their questions and answers.

The entire process was fascinating to me. I had never been behind the scenes of this kind of art project before. There were professional lights, cameras, microphones, and a whole team working together to capture voices and stories.

I was invited to ask about five questions of other Americans. Some of mine were:

“What is your definition of equality? If you were to give America a letter grade based on equality, what grade would you give?”

“What do you love most about the land you live on?”

“How do you bring art into your daily life?”

I was also asked questions from other participants, including:

“Do you believe in manifestation?”

“Do you know the history of Hawaii and how it was taken over by America?”

“What is your definition of kindness?”

“What is something you do every day that reminds you of America?”

Some questions were easy for me to answer. Others required me to pause, think, and look more deeply at what I believe. That is part of what makes this project so meaningful. It isn’t about giving the “right” answer. It is about listening to one another, becoming curious, and creating space for honest reflection.

When the exhibit is shown in museums, the film will be projected across a large screen or wall in a dimly lit gallery. Benches will be arranged so visitors can sit, listen, and take their time contemplating the questions and answers. I love the idea that people won’t simply walk past the art—they will be invited to slow down and be part of the conversation.

Question Bridge: America is scheduled to begin its exhibition tour  across America at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Arkansas in the fall of 2027. I can’t wait to see the finished project and discover how my small piece becomes part of this much larger conversation.

This experience reminded me why I continue to say yes to new things. We never know where one slightly scary yes might lead us, what it might teach us, or how it might connect us with people we may never meet.

So, I will leave you with one of the questions I was asked:

What is your definition of kindness?