about marlène

Since 2003, I’ve worked closely with artists, educators, and cultural workers at the intersection of art and activism. Over that time, I’ve spent countless hours helping folks shape their ideas, clarify their proposals, and make sure their projects align with the goals of their practice. I’ve been called a ‘project doula’ for this generative labor—which I love—and my Tarot and Process Doula practices grew out of this kind of work, as powerful portals to clarity, purpose, and action.

My mission has long been to nurture the work of socially engaged artists and scholars working across borders, disciplines, and languages. As Artistic Director of BAX | Brooklyn Arts Exchange, I deepen and expand this work by creating spaces of inquiry and praxis for artist-led initiatives. EmergeNYC, the emerging artist incubator I direct, fosters creative experimentation, practice-based research, and mutual accountability. Since 2008, it has yielded a collaborative community of about 300 alumni—most of them people of color, women, migrants, and LGBTQIA+ folks. With the Latinx Arts Consortium of New York (LxNY), I help steer a coalition of organizations and leaders committed to racial justice and cultural equity in the arts.

My background is in performance and writing; I have an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA and a BA in Comparative Literature. I’m a writing coach, a translator, and I lead yearly workshops on satire and parody. I am a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). I am also a Reiki master and teacher, focusing on self-healing practices. My full CV is here.

I’ve been reading Tarot since the 1990s. My favorite card—the card that winks at me to tell me I’m on my path—is The Sun. The Knight of Swords often takes me to Audre Lorde’s “Uses of Anger,” and The Empress to “Uses of the Erotic.” When I get the 4 or 5 of Cups, without fail, this 80’s song enters my head  (turn arouuuund!).

In 2021, I was invited to be the inaugural Artist in Residence for Aster(ix) Journal, which published my Chancletazo for Your Soul major arcana book in 2023.

As of 2023, I’m learning how to sew clothes …and I’m astonished. I didn’t even know how to sew a button before, and now I’m somehow making my own clothes? Whaaat!

What is a process doula?

Just like a doula helps someone during a pregnancy process, I help you as you develop your goals, grow your practice(s), and take concrete action so you can birth your project. We have a relationship of equals, but the responsibility for decisions and actions lies solely with you. (Como yo les digo: I cannot 'have the baby' for you—like a doula, I can be with you, help you breathe, champion you as you push. But this is your baby.) I support you by actively listening, offering insights, being an accountability partner, proposing challenges, holding your sacred promises to yourself. Our co-created agreements can be re-designed at any time, as needed, to ensure an honest, safe, and brave place for exploration. Everything we discuss will remain confidential.