Laura Sullivan has over two decades’ experience in emotional healing and anti-oppression work, leading dialogue circles, support groups, workshops, and presentations for the following groups of people: white people and people of color (separately and combined, as appropriate), young people, young adults, women, men, social change advocates and activists, public sector workers, people in recovery from addictions, LGBTQ, parents, teachers, and students.
 
Since moving back to her hometown of Memphis in 2006, Laura has contributed to many grassroots social change efforts in the city, including those concerning public transportation, gentrification, homelessness, public housing, and community art.  She was a one of the founders of the Memphis Bus Riders Union that organizes transit-dependent Memphians and works for more equitable and effective public transportation, and she was an active member of the Vance Avenue Collaborative that sought to include all residents of that community in that area’s redevelopment.  She has also contributed to the Soulsville Community Planning meetings where residents provide input on the ‘revitalization’ process currently occurring in that neighborhood. In 2014, she worked with grassroots organizations in Smokey City to involve youth and community members in neighborhood issues.  Laura has also been highly involved with efforts around City budget struggles, working in solidarity with public workers’ unions, including those representing the sanitation workers, utility company workers, police officers, and fire fighters.
 
Laura is an independent scholar, with research interests in Critical Race Studies, film and media studies, and neoliberal urban policy.  Currently, she is creating a grassroots organization called Urban Alchemy, which will offer projects that combine art and activism and that address race and class issues in Memphis.