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Suffolk Today
By the People, for the People
Local Author and Producer Advocates for Arts as Healing Tool
Malikah Harris shares how the arts saved her and can help transform communities.
Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:05pm
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The arts can provide a vital platform for communities to process, release, and rebuild from emotional wounds and generational trauma.Suffolk TodayMalikah Harris, an author, producer, and founder of Mother Earth Productions LLC, writes about how the arts became a healing outlet for her and how investing in the arts can help address trauma, generational pain, and emotional wounds in communities across Hampton Roads and beyond. Harris creates productions like the 'Generational Curses' book series and the upcoming musical 'Blood Sisters' that use storytelling, music, and live performance to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued, allowing healing to begin.
Why it matters
Many communities are dealing with cycles of trauma and pain that get passed down through generations. Without healthy outlets like the arts to process and release these burdens, the cycles often continue. However, creative programs focused on healing are often underfunded or overlooked, despite their potential to transform communities.
The details
Harris, who serves as the CEO of Mother Earth Productions, has witnessed firsthand the power of the arts to unlock emotion, give language to pain, and empower people to confront and overcome their struggles. Her productions are intentionally designed to reflect real-life challenges and invite audiences into a shared emotional experience, with the goal of leaving people better than they came.
- Harris founded Mother Earth Productions LLC in the early 2020s.
- Harris published the award-winning 'Generational Curses' book series.
- Harris is creating the upcoming musical 'Blood Sisters' focused on healing through storytelling.
The players
Malikah Harris
An author, producer, and the founder of Mother Earth Productions LLC. She is the creator of the 'Generational Curses' book series and the upcoming musical 'Blood Sisters', which use storytelling, music, and live performance to create spaces for healing and transformation.
What they’re saying
“When we invest in the arts, we are investing in people, in healing and in the future of our communities.”
— Malikah Harris, Author and Producer
“The arts didn't just save me. They gave me purpose.”
— Malikah Harris, Author and Producer
What’s next
Harris plans to continue creating productions that use the arts as a tool for healing and transformation in communities across Hampton Roads and beyond.
The takeaway
Investing in the arts is not a luxury, but a necessity for addressing trauma, generational pain, and emotional wounds in communities. By supporting local artists and creative initiatives focused on healing, we can create environments where people feel empowered to confront and overcome their struggles.
