Eastern Michigan University to host fourth annual Women of Color Feminisms & Leadership Symposium: “Reimagining, Rebuilding, and Recreating Ourselves as Women of Color”

The virtual symposium is free and open to the public, and will seek to empower women of color and serve as an educational tool for revolutionary change, both personally and within our communities

A collage of headshots of women who will present at the conference

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University's Women's Resource Center, Center of Race & Ethnicity, and Women's and Gender Studies department will host the fourth annual Women of Color Feminisms & Leadership Symposium virtually on Tuesday, March 16, and Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 1 to 5 p.m.

This year’s theme, "Reimagining, Rebuilding and Recreating Ourselves as Women of Color,” seeks, in the organizers’ words, to provide a breathable space for women of color to envision a world without limitations for both ourselves and our communities, unlearn false narratives of who we were told we should be, and prioritize healing so that we can create healthier versions of ourselves without fear.

Keynote to focus on self-care and healing

The two-day experience will kick off at 1 p.m. on March 16 with an invigorating conversation with keynote speaker Tarana Burke, founder of the “me too.” Movement. Burke will discuss topics such as radical self-care, personal healing, activism and more.

She will share the story behind the genesis of the viral 2017 TIME Person Of The Year-winning ‘me too.’ Movement, which gives strength and healing to those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment.

Following the keynote, Dr. Mariel Buquè, a Columbia University-trained Psychologist, will explore the ways in which intergenerational trauma has been a marker of the women of color experience and ways to engage rituals and resilience in order to move into intergenerational growth.

The first day of the symposium will close with speaker Dr. Christina Castro, co-founder of Three Sisters Collective, an Indigenous woman-centered grassroots organization. Castro will shine light on the ongoing effects of colonialism on Indigenous people in the U.S.

Day two of the symposium will center on activism within communities of color and how they can make a greater impact by also focusing on radical self-care.

Five dynamic female activists who are doing important work locally or in other states across the country will be featured as the panelists, including Yodit Mosefin, president & CEO of New; Trische Duckworth, executive director at Survivor's Speak; Nada Al-Hanooti, community organizer in Southeast Michigan; Mariah Bermeo, co-founder of Veggie Mijas; and Yvonne Navarrete-Castaneda, a student activist. The panel will also offer advice and share resources on how attendees can begin making effective change in their respective communities. 

Virtual format encourages wide audience

The symposium will also highlight the work of different local poets and artists from around metro Detroit.

“Although, we’d love the opportunity to engage with attendees in-person, we’re excited to be able to offer this event to a much larger audience than in previous years, due to it being virtual,” said Bre McKamie, Coordinator for the Center of Race & Ethnicity (CORE). “We hope that women of color across the country and even internationally, will join us for this empowering event.”

To RSVP, visit the event’s RSVP page.

For descriptions of sessions and the agenda, visit the event homepage.

For more information, please contact Bre McKamie at bmckamie@emich.edu, or Joi Rencher at jrencher@emich.edu.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

March 03, 2021

Written by:
Morgan Mark

Media Contact:
Morgan Mark
mmark@emich.edu
734-487-4402