Taking on White Supremacy: Black and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Solidarity

In this workshop, we will discuss the long history of solidarity between Black and APPI communities and envision new ways of being in solidarity with each other in support of Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate movements. We will expose the ways in which white supremacy has fueled tensions and divided Black and APPI communities and will address the anti-Blackness and xenophobia that exist within our communities. We need each other in the struggle to dismantle white supremacy, and this workshop will provide opportunities to build deeper bridges of understanding and connection to each other as we work to create a world where Black and brown people are safe and free from racism and violence. We persevere in this work in the service of our collective liberation and the full recognition of the value of our lives and humanity.

Trainers:

Amihan Jennifer Matias is a passionate racial equity, cultural humility, and organization and leadership development trainer, coach, and consultant. She is a social justice activist, community builder, and leader who is deeply committed to creating a more just, compassionate, and equitable world. Amihan is the founder of several nationally recognized leadership development programs, including a nonprofit executive coaching program supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders and a six-month leadership forum for women of color leaders called And Still We Rise. She has a long history of community activism in Asian and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and is a founding member of Massachusetts Asian and Pacific Islanders (MAP) for Health and the newly formed AAPI Alliance of Western MA. She is also a founding board member of the Truth School.

Tanisha Arena is the executive director of ARISE for Social Justice, bringing an intersecting lens, a passion for social justice and transparent, authentic leadership to her work. She is the host of Unapologetic, a podcast bringing the hard truths of our social issues to the forefront and a guest commentator on Vaya Con Munoz, a weekly radio show airing on WHMP focusing on political issues. She is a consultant for Growing A New Heart, facilitating Dialogues Across Difference, a training designed to teach ways we can have difficult conversations, facilitate learning, and drive social change. She is a published author, public speaker, and freelance writer in her spare time.