Erica "Ease" Claiborne, a Richmond, Virginia native, epitomizes creativity and resilience. She views creativity as a gateway to happiness and a form of therapy, evident in her diverse pursuits ranging from entrepreneurship to DJing, community advocacy, culinary arts, and agriculture. Despite the male-dominated nature of the industry, Ease became a self-taught DJ and sound engineer following her grandmother's passing in 2013. Starting with donated equipment and support from loved ones, she showcased her eclectic music taste at various events, including historical gigs like Wu Tang Clan's 36 Chambers: 25th Anniversary concert in Washington, DC, and Virginia Governor Northam's Pride Month proclamation at the Executive Mansion.
Ease's commitment extends beyond music; she founded Alleviative Productions in 2019, initially focusing on DJ services but later expanding to advocate for her community during tumultuous events like the pandemic and protests. Her dedication to cultural preservation led her to collaborate with organizations like For the Fem In You, where she now serves as production manager, creating safe spaces for Brown women in music and arts. Currently pursuing an associate's degree in Architectural Engineering and Technology, Ease aims to reclaim ancestral spaces and facilitate restoration projects while also indulging in personal passions like long-distance cycling, growing food and flowers, and visiting cemeteries.
Take it away, Ease...
Black AF: A Black Herstory Celebration
A celebration of Black love, joy, freedom, and culture. Black AF, aims to empower, uplift, and unite community with a day of honoring the past, present, and future. Expect to enjoy a day of local Black-Owned businesses, vegan soul food & treats, art, and live performances featuring local dancers, poets, singers, and DJ’s. This Black AF will feature a special production curated by Alleviative Productions entitled, “When Women Speak," a short film of clips documenting some of the most celebrated Black and Indigenous women within American advocacy and education. The film provides their perceptions & teachings regarding the origins surrounding the dehumanization of people of color throughout history & the diaspora. The 42 minute live screening will be looped during the event within the ICA’s auditorium. (Parental Advisory Suggested)
Soul N’ Vinegar opened June 2018 and this grab n’ go shop focuses on selling delicious, health conscious foods for everyone in the community. I'm a health conscious eater, 100% vegan, and I enjoy supporting local eateries within the community that take pride in offering yummy vegan options. Recently, I took an adventure to Soul N' Vinegar's new location on the corner of 30th and Q St. in historic Church Hill. The Chai Tea Latte with oat milk is perfectly crafted in house. The vegetable spring rolls were super fresh, paired with my favorite chili oil for dipping, and are vegan & gluten-free. Lastly, the falafel itself served inside of the falafel wrap is possibly the best I've ever had! The combination of crispy falafel and crunchy slaw was heavenly. The portion of their wrap is plenty, so one can save some for later to relive the whole experience of exciting those taste buds all over again.
For The Fem In You is a Richmond-based non-profit organization centered around creating safe spaces for the Women of Color and the LGBTQ+ community. Their programming aims to support women's wellness mentally, physically, and spiritually via interactive events, pop-up markets, community collaboration, festivals, and artist activations. Celebrating ordinary women doing extraordinary things. For The Fem In You seeks to obtain a permanent location for the expansion of its future programming.
In May 2019, Ease founded Alleviative Productions, initially focusing on DJ services but later expanding into mixed media offerings. The tumultuous events of 2020, including the pandemic and protests, spurred Ease to document and advocate for her community's rights. She organized grassroots efforts, providing free food, water, and first aid during the Monument Avenue protests. Alleviative Productions is a sound and visual media platform that specializes in sound curation, live production & management, and visual documentary.
