Kristi Copez is known as an Advocate-Artist. Culinarian. Eclectic. Grandmother. Inclusionist. Invisible-Illness-Warrior.Maven. Mentor. Other-Mother.. Poetic-Essayist. Space-Holder. Student. Veteran. Womanist. …and all-around Brazenwoman.

Copez, a seminary graduate, believes in Servant Leadership and is passionate about ministry, justice & racial equityas demonstrated through her belief in the power of art to heal.

“Since becoming sick and enduring many emotional and spiritual “deaths”, the spiral has become congruent with mywillingness to continually go inward and emerge clearer and more intentional about advocating for marginalizedBIWOC peoples, especially those of us who have had our personhood interrupted by the collective traumas and theresulting chronic & disabling evidence of the injustice of and to our bodies, and then retraumatized by being stifled bythe very walls of (in)justice that would profit from our silence.”

Kristi Copez was recognized by The Tyrian Network of Ohio & awarded “The Tyrian Artist of the Year ~ Ohio” (2017-2018). Tyrian seeks artists whose work promotes harmony with nature and all people, & whose life work aligns withtheir mission goals of Creativity, Healing and Peace.

Copez envisions a non-profit (Arukah.Art) in the near future that supports living as a person of faith notwithstandingchronic illness(es), especially women who identify as having come through trauma.

Arukah.Art will be a sacred space for creating a sense of spiritual, emotional, & physical resilience and vigorous well-being where traumatic healing will be translated through recognizing, reclaiming, and reimagining our experiences, andhealing is then replicated by affirming, advocating, & aspiring!

Kristi Copez has earned her A.A. in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution, her B.A. in Studio Art, and just earned hermaster’s degree, May 2026 in Theological & Pastoral Studies. Kristi resides in Cleveland, OH & enjoys spending timewith her Grands and tending to her many plants.