Morani Kornberg: BBP/UCLA Model
Like a dandelion, which transforms in shape, color, and movement throughout its lifespan, my own life has evolved in unexpected ways. Born in Tel Aviv, I have spent my life oscillating between the U.S. and the Middle East. I moved back to the U.S. to pursue a doctorate degree in English and wrote my dissertation on Israeli women writer-activists whose poetry aims to bridge the divide between Israelis and Palestinians. During graduate school, I was diagnosed with OCD, which radically altered my career trajectory – and my life. Last year, I was also diagnosed with ADHD, which gave clarity to the many obstacles I have encountered since childhood. As a result, my writing, art, performance, and scholarship intersect the two major thematic conflicts I deal with in my personal and professional lives: the “inner” psychological, cognitive, and emotional battles when dealing with two “invisible” disabilities, and how this corresponds with “outer” national, social, and identity battles.
I am, nevertheless, a radical optimist. I constantly question the things we’re taught, why we believe them, and how they might create disconnection instead of unity. I’m currently developing a new platform – WILD HOPE – which explores how personal and collective evolution is always possible once, like dandelion seeds, we allow ourselves to be carried by the winds of our common humanity. We can then ground ourselves, sprout our reclaimed agency, and create new, wildly hopeful realities.
I am so deeply grateful for this experience! I want to thank the Bold Beauty team for their incredible work and generosity! Thank you, Tanya Levy, for your support and fabulous styling! And a massive thank you to my talented photographer, Cassandra Jingco! From the moment we met, I knew this experience would be magical! Thank you for your dedication, patience, encouragement, and vision!! I feel like the feathery parachutes of dandelion seeds, now empowered to disperse my own creations into the world! As a Filipino-American, daughter of two hard-working immigrant parents, I would always repeat the same things to myself growing up. Be respectful. Work hard. Don’t disappoint.
