Women of Color Symposium
This annual event occurs in March during Women’s History Month, highlighting the experiences and stories of women of color. Students, faculty and staff who identify as women of color are encouraged to submit proposals based on the year’s theme.
4th Annual Women of Color Feminisms and Leadership Symposium
You’re invited to the 4th Annual Virtual Women of Color Feminisms & Leadership Symposium scheduled for March 16 and 17, 2021. Our theme for this two-day conference is "Reimagining, Rebuilding and Recreating Ourselves as Women of Color." This symposium aims to provide a breathable space for Women of Color to:
- envision a world without limitations,
- unlearn false narratives of who THEY told us we should be and,
- Prioritize healing so that we can create healthier versions of ourselves without fear.
If you plan to attend, please register:
March 16, 2021: Day 1 Schedule
Welcome 1-1:15 pm
* This portion will be available ONLY via Zoom
Conversation with Tarana Burke 1:15-2:15 pm
Join us for a conversation with Tarana Burke about radical self-care, personal healing, activism and more!
* This portion will be available via Zoom ONLY
Tarana Burke shares the story behind the genesis of the viral 2017 TIME Person Of The Year-winning ‘me too.’ Movement, and gives strength and healing to those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment.
The simple yet courageous ‘me too.’ hashtag campaign has emerged as a rallying cry for people everywhere who have survived sexual assault and sexual harassment – and Tarana’s powerful, poignant story as creator of what is now an international movement that supports survivors will move, uplift, and inspire you.
#MeToo is not just an overnight hashtag sensation; Tarana has dedicated more than 25 years of her life to social justice and to laying the groundwork for a movement that was initially created to help young women of color who survived sexual abuse and assault. The movement now inspires solidarity, amplifies the voices of thousands of victims of sexual abuse, and puts the focus back on survivors. In her upcoming book, Where the Light Enters, Tarana discusses the importance of the ‘me too.’ Movement as well as her personal journey from "victim to survivor to thriver." Tarana's continued work with the 'me too.' movement has earned her the honor of being named The Root 100's most influential person of 2018.
A sexual assault survivor herself, Tarana is now working under the banner of the ‘me too’ Movement to assist other survivors and those who work to end sexual violence. She is now Executive Director of the 'me too.' organization. On stage, she provides words of empowerment that lift up marginalized voices, enables survivors across all races, genders, or classes to know that they are not alone, and creates a place for comfort and healing to those who have experienced trauma.
Music Intermission & Performance 2:15-2:30 pm
DJ Lixxer
Poetry Performance by Tatiaira Herndon
Tatiaira Herndon is a writer, poet, and author of the 2019 chapbook "30 Days of Darkness" and the 2020 chapbook "The Blacker The Berry, The Deeper Her Blues". As a Black female author, she has spent years examining African-American and women's studies as well as developing her voice as a writer and poet. In 2020, Tatiaira obtained her BA in creative writing from Eastern Michigan University. Her dream and ultimate goals are to heal, empower, inspire, and unite women and girls of color through writing.
*This will be available via Zoom and FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU
Session 1: 2:30-3:30 pm
Intergenerational Trauma to Intergenerational Growth w/ Dr. Mariel Buquè
We will explore the ways in which intergenerational trauma has been a marker of the WOC experience and ways to engage rituals and resilience in order to move into intergenerational growth.
*This will be available via Zoom & FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU
Take a BREATH! 3:30-3:40 pm
*This will be available via Zoom & FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU
Session 2: 3:40-4:40 pm
Surviving & Thriving in a Culture of Violence: Building a movement rooted in love & resilience
Dr. Christina M. Castro will take participants on a journey using her life story to discuss the ongoing effects of colonialism on Indigenous people in the U.S.. Dr. Castro will detail how she utilizes her western education to address the critical issues of our time using a framework of Pueblo and Indigenous matriarchal infused core values to build a case that relationship building is the mortar for which any lasting social change is made possible. Participants will: 1. Learn the ways in which the culture of violence impacts Indigenous communities, 2. Learn how our inherited "trauma" and present challenges can be tools for healing, leadership and ultimately social change, 3. Explore the ways in which we can mobilize individuals and co-create a desired, inclusive future that fully honors the original inhabitants of this continent and our BIPOC community.
*This will be available via Zoom and FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU
Closing/Giveaway 4:40-5 pm
* This will be available via Zoom and FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU
March 17, 2021: Day 2 Schedule
Welcome 1-1: 15 pm
Activism: For Ourselves & Our Communities 1:15-2:55
An invigorating discussion with five dynamic female activists focusing on activism within communities of color and how we can make a greater impact by also focusing on radical self-care.
Panelists: Yodit Mesfin, President & CEO of New; Trische Duckworth, Executive Director at Survivor's Speak; Nada Al-Hanooti, community organizer in Southeast Michigan; and Yvonne Navarrete-Castaneda, Student Activist.
*This will be available via Zoom and FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU
Performance & Kahoot Trivia 2:55-3:10 pm
Poetry by Ife Martin
*This will be available via Zoom & FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU
Panel Q&A/Next Steps 3:10-3:45 pm
Panelists will return to answer questions from the audience and also offer advice/share resources on how attendees can begin making effective change in their perspective communities.
* This will be available via Zoom and FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU>
Closing/Giveaway 3:45-4 pm
* This will be available via Zoom and FB Live @ WOCSymposium.EMU