Navigating Race+Power in Challenging Racial Climates 5-session Seminar

The Challenge & Impetus: Social scientists find that social inequality can make us sick.   Inequalities embedded in one’s environment can affect one’s physiology as much as germs (Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick, PBS Series). Social epidemiologist, Nancy Krieger, calls it embodied inequality. Michael A. Smith calls it racial battle fatigue. In other words, seemingly abstract concepts like racism, sexism, and other inequalities can become corporeal, or of the body. In addition to psycho-emotional tolls and internalized forms of oppression, social inequalities influence weight, body composition, height, posture, hormone levels, stress load, and mind-body-spirit balance. How does one learn to navigate racial inequality (and its class, gender, sexuality, ability, etc. intersections) in ways that alleviate its danger to our health?

Prevailing Methods & Continued Challenges: While organizations adopt diversity and inclusion initiatives, systemic inequality persists.  Leaders of the nation’s work places often admit they have a long way to go when it comes to improving their racial climates. Meanwhile, many professionals of color navigate their workspaces restrained, tokenized, silenced, marginalized, and enduring racial battle fatigue. Many white professionals navigate their workspaces in varying existential, emotional, and egoistic states as well. In turn, organizations grapple with repressed tensions, challenging organizational cultures, toxic racial climates, high-performance attrition, and low-attractiveness to professionals of color; all of which influence their capacity to deliver on their mission.

Racial Equitecture’s Approach: We face an imperative to sustain ourselves & expand our skillset as we work to dismantle systemic inequality. But, similar to other essential-to life-but-seldom-formally-taught life skills (i.e. how to raise a child), we rarely encounter a formal, rigorous program for how to navigate race & power dynamics in our professional lives. For many professionals, the preamble to grappling with inequality frequently stems from 1) familial-communal acumen, 2) ethnic studies/-ism-centered college courses, & 3) individual study/practice/living. Racial Equitecture seeks to build upon this knowledge, offering a methodical praxis that uses research and experience to coach professionals to navigate racial events in ways that safeguard mind-body-spirit balance and productivity. Join us for a 5-session seminar (Wednesdays, 6-15-8:15pm, June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15) [Date change!].

Testimonials

“I have a new way of approaching situations. Things that would have been chaotic to my entire being before, I can now see in a different lens...Dr. McAfee has opened my eyes to another method of engagement with my work.”- L. M., nonprofit director


“I feel better equipped to analyze how I interact with my team and how I’m triggered by the interactions of others. I now have a language...” - P.R., program manager


“This has been the best conversation we’ve had on race.” - N.M., nonprofit director

Skill/Knowledge Goals:

Participants will be able to:

1) Create racial climates where racial microaggressions, invalidations, and insults have less of an impact.

2) Sense rhetorical, emotional, and egoistic postures used to assert power & ways to navigate them in the moment.

3) Practice and strengthen their response-ability to racial events in their professional/personal lives.

Experiential Goals:

My goal is for you to step beyond what you imagine is possible.  To be brave and do something you've never done before.  This goal is supported by a pedagogical approach that lies at the nexus of critical race pedagogy, black feminist thought, adaptive leadership, and experiential learning.  This means there will be little lecturing, lots of practice, dwelling in negative capability, productive discomfort, and constructive feedback.  You will be guided to drive discussions rather than silently receive. The intention is to create a holding environment for rehearsing courage while personally developing a racial response-ability that better addresses racial events in our world.

Testimonials: 

"Loved Dr. McAfee! She was definitely on top of her game. When she has something to say people listen because it is always profound and poignant."- T. R., education professional

"She pushes for intellectually substantive work in a way that no other had challenged me to do during my ENTIRE time at Harvard. My time with her was so productive. I came away with a clear understanding of holes in my arguments and a clear plan to approach things that I found difficult." - C. F., education professional

 

 

Testimonial

"Dr. McAfee did a great job in challenging us to critically examine perspectives that were raised. She also brought in diverse viewpoints that forged new pathways of thinking." - I. W., education professional

"She has such a wealth of knowledge on the subject!" - P.L., education professional

FAQs

Impact Hub Oakland (IHO) hosts many events. Where do I go when I arrive? When you enter the front door, there may be co-occuring events happening.  If you do not see our greeter, you can do one of two things. 1) turn to your immediate left, and walk through the corridor to the art gallery. 2) Ask for directions to the Omi Art Gallery.

Can anyone attend? The 5-session seminar is open to anyone who is willing to take a look in the mirror, is equity-mission driven, and has a commitment to diversity and inclusion. This seminar is for professionals seeking to learn how to navigate racial events in ways that safeguard the mind-body-spirit balance of ourselves and others.

Do I have to attend all 5 sessions. The seminar is structured into 5 sessions, whereby sessions are progressive and build upon each other. Attendance at all sessions is ideal.

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event? 18 or older.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event? The closest BART station (about a 5 minute walk) is the 19th St BART Station. Street parking nearby is free after 6pm.

What can/can't I bring to the event? To get the most out of this seminar, bring:

1) dinner for yourself + water bottle/drink.

2) journal/notebook + writing utensil.

3) readiness to learn and take risks.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions? You can contact the organizer at [email protected].

Is my registration/ticket transferrable? No.

Can I update my registration information? Yes, early bird discount registration ends on May 27, 2015. Regular registration ends June 10, 2015, 5pm PDT.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? Yes. Please bring your printed ticket to the event.

What is the refund policy? Refunds are available up until the ticket closing date, June 10, 2015 5pm PDT. Afterwards, there will be no refunds.  However, IF there ends up being a second cohort, your ticket can be redeemable then.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay? Yes.