Activism
Lacey Nagy is the co-founder, host, producer and poet of a local poetry and art troupe which benefits local non-profits and charities called ThirdEyeSpoken Productions (www.thirdeyespoken.com). Founded in September of 2005, this multi-faceted art event has benefited many spoken word artists, visual artist, musicians, and dancers as well as supported local and national non-profits such as Peaceful Paths, Bridges Across Borders, GAAP, PACE School for Girls, St. Francis House, the Toys For Tots, AmeriCares, and the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank. ThirdEyeSpoken is sponsored by generous local businesses who donate food, money, and door prizes so that magical evenings of performance poetry may make a difference in the Gainesville community.
Prosperous Living Group was founded by Lacey Nagy and Becky Gravely on June 1st, 2008. Prosperous Living is a community of like-minded truth-seekers studying, sharing and teaching multiple paths to prosperity in all aspects of life – wealth, relationships, health, personal missions, professions and spirituality. Our intention is to uphold each participant on actualizing their visions with a foundation of group-supported integrity.
Walking into the Prosperous Living Center (PLC), you can expect to be greeted by the aromas of brewing coffee and fresh paint. The deep sage and dramatic burgundy walls create a space of comfort and warmth. Perhaps it’s the large sectional sofa and smiling faces that make it feel so inviting and homey. But what really attracts people here every week is more than complementary beverages.
The PLC offers classes on different paths to self-improvement and personal growth, each week bringing a fresh topic with a new instructor. Thus far, topics have ranged from communication and finances to Kai Zen and healing the inner critic.
Long time member, Benito Vernon, 68, was surprised to find he enjoyed the variety of topics. “I never thought I’d be interested in these things, but now I look forward to them.”
Becky Gravely, 53, founder of the class, attended several prosperity workshops before she brought the idea of the class to co-founder Lacey Nagy, 27. Gravely said she wanted to create a “continuous experience that covered a wide range of subjects.” But there is something different about this class.
“We want to offer more than the status quo here. In addition to giving valuable information, we also want to provide group support for positive, personal change” said Nagy.
To accomplish this, Gravely and Nagy incorporated the idea of goal setting into the group. With an emphasis on personal integrity, everyone sets at least one goal for the coming week, and the group holds them accountable for it. If you don’t accomplish your goals, there is no room for excuses. You simply state that you did not fulfill the goal and then donate one dollar to the “bowl of truth.” The money is used to fund the complementary beverages.
“Sometimes the goals are related to the discussion and sometimes it’s just what you need to get done. The idea is to say what you mean, mean what you say, and take action to improve your life. It’s really powerful,” said Nagy.
Joshua Porter,21, agrees: “I love it! It keeps me on point, and then I get to share what I’ve accomplished. It’s really encouraging.”
For anyone who has attended an open forum class like this, it becomes clear that the people make or break the experience, and that’s why the class so successful. The group dynamic is engaging and inspiring; everyone is attentive,and no one hesitates to chime in with their thoughts or questions. This comes as no surprise when the founders greet the regulars with hugs. The members are diverse, ranging in age from 20 to almost 70 years old. It feels like gathering a family together during the holidays… sans the quarrels, feuds, and awkward sweaters.
Newcomer Monelle McKay, 43, appreciates this aspect of the class. “There’s a great sense of community, and there are so many avenues for growth. I’ll definitely be back next week!” she said.
Glancing around the room, it becomes obvious that this is not the only way the center contributes to the community. Paintings by local artists including Lyssa England adorn the walls, and the public calendar announces other gatherings such as poetry readings and events.
Article by Elizabeth M. Farro
Spittin’ Images, A Play on Words was Hillsborough, Florida’s first spoken word art play written, directed, produced by, and starring Lacey Nagy, Pedro Jarquin, and Asia Elliot and co-starring Katayana. The incredible masterpiece entertained audiences for two nights at Studio 620, located in St. Petersburg. Spittin’ Images was written and performed in less than a week and the final scene was written and memorized hours before the curtain drop of opening night in 2004.
*Written by the Gainesville Guardian
Lacey Nagy overcomes funding obstacles to take children to Busch Gardens
By AIDA MALLARD
Special to the Guardian
Thanks to Lacey Nagy’s determination, commitment and fundraising skills, students in the year-long Teen Zone program at Eastside Recreation Center got a chance to go on an all-expense paid field trip to Bush Gardens in Tampa in early June.
“I think it is hard to find people like Ms. Nagy,” said Michelle Williams, 14, one of the students in Teen Zone. “She took us to Bush Gardens because she loves us.”
After a proposal to take the children on a field trip to Bush Gardens was denied, Nagy, a Teen Zone event planner at the time, embarked on “Mission Possible” to raise funds for the trip.
“The field trip to Bush Gardens was denied because there was no funding available in this year’s budget,” said Karen Cayson, recreation supervisor for the city of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. “Lacey did it on her own. It was not a city of Gainesville Parks and Recreation field trip.”
“The kids were disappointed,” said Nagy. “Everyone was excited (about the trip to Bush Gardens), and then it was no longer available.”
“I realized that so often as adults, we discipline kids for not keeping their word, “continued Nagy, “and as adults we do it all the time.”
She said she got a message from God to keep her word, no matter what.
Nagy contacted businesses and everyone she knew and asked for money for the Bush Garden field trip. She even got ThirdEyeSpoken Production, a poetry ministry of which Nagy is a founding member, to hold a poetry event to raise funds for the field trip.
She said people were very generous and she raised $2,000, which was enough to take 25 kids and chaperones to Busch Gardens, rent three vans to transport the children, give each child $5 each for breakfast at McDonald’s, and $10 each to spend on whatever they wanted, as well as money left over for a pizza dinner. The community also provided hats and T-shirts.
“People were giving me cash and mailing me checks,” said Nagy. “I was getting three and four checks in the mail every day.”
So the children could feel they had contributed to the project, Nagy said ThirdEyeSpoken created an “open mike” event at the Thomas Center.
“We did it so the children could earn their ticket by reciting poetry or bringing a food item,” Nagy said.
She said they had enough money for the field trip before the Thomas Center event, but it was done so the children could contribute and also learn the important lesson that “you have to work for the things you want in life.”
More than 100 people attended the Thomas Center event, and Nagy said there was 40 feet of table space loaded with food donated by the community and brought by the children. The food that was left over was donated to the St. Francis House.
“I want the community to learn how easy and empowering it is to do a community project,” said Nagy. “Any mission is possible if you mean what you say and keep your word.”
As a member of ThirdEyeSpoken productions, Nagy gives back to the community in many ways, including holding programs to raise funds for worthy causes, such as the homeless community. ThirdEyeSpoken also provides a venue for artists to put their work out to the community.
“She is a wonderful person,” said Jimmy Schmidt, one of the ThirdEyeSpoken members. “She is 100 percent committed to any project she takes on.”
“Ms. Nagy always keeps her word,” said Michelle.