Workshops/Speaking
Guest Lecturer: SW 210: Introduction to Social Work in the Oakland University Social Work Program
April 2012
Rochester, MI
Developmental Disabilities and Social Justice: “Everyone Needs a Little Help.”
This two-hour interactive lecture to 40+ undergraduate social work students focused on social identities and issues of ability including discussing the importance of fostering self and other awareness, the social construction of disability, disability as a social justice issue, how the intersection of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, age, and other identities can impact people’s experiences with power, privilege, & oppression, and ways in which social workers can use themselves as allies.
Moderator: MRH Panel Event–AllyHOOD: A Making Race Heard Event at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.
March 2012
Ann Arbor, MI
AllyHOOD
During this two-hour event, I engaged with faculty, students, and community members and co-moderated a panel consisting of social workers, educators, and community activists in discussion on the topic of Allyhood in terms of Anti-Racist action and how it relates to our lives personally & professionally.
An example of topical questions for the night include:
a.) “How do you define Ally and in your experience, what does Allyhood look and feel like? (you are welcome to offer personal experience when having an ally was important, or where having an ally created conflict(s).”
b.)” How do you define the role of an ally?”
c.) “What challenges do you experience, if any with being an ally or accepting support from allies?”
d.) “What can others do to be an affective ally?”
Facilitator: Peace in Action Here & At Home: Translating Passion and Thoughts into Appropriate Action. A University of Michigan MLK Symposium Event.
January 2012
Ann Arbor, MI
Peace in Action Here & At Home: Translating Passion and Thought into Appropriate Action
“The logical consequence of study and thought is action. Otherwise, this whole business of education is a sham,” stated Western Michigan University President James Miller when he introduced Martin Luther King, Jr. for a 1963 address on social justice. With this in mind, how can and do we translate cognition and awareness into action and practice? MLK recognized that peace is not passive, but active, noting: “True peace is not the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice.” So how can we demonstrate peace in action locally and globally and what are our challenges? How do cultural norms here and at home affect our action?”
This two-hour session explored these questions through interactive engagement and dialogue, and provided concrete tools to build capacity to translate thought into action here and at home.
Facilitator: Making Race Heard Summit 2011 at The University of Michigan School of Social Work
December 2011
Ann Arbor, MI
Why are all the _____ kids sitting together in the classroom?
“While the classroom setting is one that aims to encourage diversity in thought and perspectives, race is a topic that is frequently avoided. Sometimes individuals do not feel equipped to effectively facilitate and/or participate in a discussion about the direct impacts of race on our lives. Professors and students alike are often unclear of what exactly their roles are as members of the classroom–”should I step up or step back?” is a common question with which we are faced.”
This workshop addressed how we can all take ownership of creating a greater sense of community, by understanding our own and others’ roles in the classroom.
Alumni Panelist: University of Michigan School of Social Work: A Making Race Heard Event
November 2011
Ann Arbor, MI
Resisting Oppression in Class, Field, & The Broader Society
Engaged current University of Michigan School of Social Work students about the impacts of oppression in my personal and professional experiences. I also discussed ways to challenge oppression in multiple contexts.
Facilitator: Making Race Heard at the University of Michigan School of Social Work
October 2011
Ann Arbor, MI
Uncovering Privilege
Facilitated honest conversations with social work students and members of the surrounding community about identifying privilege in multiple areas of our lives. This dialogue also addressed how our privileges can impact our personal and professional lives not only as social workers, but as members of our communities as well.
Presenter: Oakland University Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI) Men’s Retreat 2011
September 2011
Ortonville, MI
- Presented a workshop to 27 male undergraduate students of color called “The Tipping Point” in which focused on those ‘crossroads” we might encounter in life in which we are forced to make a choice.
- Facilitated discussions on personal responsibility, conflict management & resolution, good decision-making and avoidance of self-defeating behaviors.
- Participated in relationship building activities which fostered unity & collaboration.
Campus Day Panelist: Delray Youth Campus Day sponsored by The Detroit Initiative
July 2011
Ann Arbor, MI
- Spoke to a diverse group of young people ages 13-18 from the Delray Neighborhood House in southwest Detroit about my unique experiences as a college student (including successes and challenges) and the road that brought me to where I am today.
- Engaged the youth in a conversations about their own learning and experiences with school, their thoughts about college, and their future plans while emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and continuing education.
Facilitator: Making Race Heard- A University of Michigan Student Union Sponsored initiative
July 2011
Ann Arbor, MI
- Co-facilitated difficult conversations with students, community members, faculty, and staff on the topic of race and the extent that it is or is not discussed in the classroom, as well as the social justice implications of the issue.
- Explored the roles of power dynamics that exist in our lives, and when these are in place, who’s responsibility it is to speak up, as well as how those different dynamics can make it challenging for different people involved to speak up.
- Addressed the experiences of students, community members, faculty, and staff within and outside of the university community with race and racism, and explored ways in which we could proactively and effectively address issues of race and racism not only in the workplace, but also in our daily interactions with others.
March 2011
Ann Arbor, MI
- Co-facilitated a two-part series of honest discussions with students, community members, faculty, and staff on the topic of race and the extent that it is or is not discussed in the classroom, as well as the social justice implications of the issue.
- Addressed the experiences of students, community members, faculty, and staff within and outside of the university community with race and racism, and explored ways in which we could proactively and effectively address race not only in the workplace, but also in our daily interactions with others.
Student Panelist: Faculty Development Workshop at the University of Michigan School of Social Work
March 2011
Ann Arbor, MI
- In a balanced panel of students and faculty, presented a student’s perspective in talking with professors in the school of social work concerning how to address difficult conversations as they arise in the classroom.
- Spoke publicly about successes and challenges I faced in addressing difficult conversations in the classroom, and offered suggestions on ways I felt that faculty engagement could be more successful in challenging times.
Our World Today Conference–Sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI) at Oakland University
The Our World Today Conference is a student led conference that focused on areas relevant to underrepresented college students.
February 2008
Rochester, MI
- Created and facilitated a presentation entitled “Black Exploitation Television (B.E.T.): Black Women and Exploitation in the Media” which featured the story of Sara Baartman and established links between past and present exploitation of African-American women in the media.
- Facilitated an open forum which explored the possible psychological and social effects of negative depictions of African-American Women in the media on people of color, as well as society as a whole.
February 2007
- Filmed, produced, and screened a 10 minute documentary entitled “The N-Word: Racial Slur or Term of Endearment?” which featured students and staff on campus giving their opinions and insight on the issue.
- Shot the film in an objective manner for the purpose of encouraging positive and critical discussion.
- Facilitated an open discussion regarding the video and topic in question which encouraged critical thinking concerning the subject, challenged belief systems, and impacted all involved.
