Black and Brown Summit

Who Is "We"?

#JustUs4Us — If "Justice" begins with "Just Us" coming together, then the first question must be: who is "us"? And what does it look like as we realize that justice for us will come not only through external social transformation but must also involve the work of transforming our emotional cores and personal spheres?

Panel Description

Exposure and interaction to professional men of color in our community is critical to youth’s ability to connect with role models, see their heritage reflected, and learn about the different possibilities for their futures. In this non-traditional and interactive Professional Men of Color Panel, students will have the opportunity to hear from professional men of color in our community who represent a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as industry diverse professionals. The panelists will share their personal stories, and discuss topics such as education, career, identity, and experiences. Students will also have the opportunity to ask questions in small group settings.

Peacemaking Circles: How we can share our truths

Race relations are not good in this country these days, and the majority of residents in the United States of America harbor pessimistic feelings about the future of race relations. Add to this the fact that most residents live in a homogenous environment, and there is a puzzle in front of us. How do we have the serious conversations that we need to have if we barely cross each other’s paths? Everyone agrees that conversations about race are difficult, and they are made even more so with such fragile relationships in place. We need a different mode of interacting with each other not only to have difficult conversations, but also to build stronger relationships. For six years a dedicated group of individuals from multiple institutions have been doing this work through peacemaking circles as passed on by the Tagish/Tglingit people. "Circle work emphasizes deep listening and giving voice to our own stories. It lessens power differences of role and position. Rather than back and forth dialogue, circles rely on the learning that comes from the collective wisdom embedded in the experiences and stories of all participants." When used to address the subject of race what is really happening is that participants are called to look upon their own understandings and biases. All present are called to do their own work. “Circles intentionally create a sacred space that lifts barriers between people, opening fresh possibilities for connection, collaboration, and understanding. Circles can hold the tensions and emotions that contribute to healing. The process is not about changing others, but rather is an invitation to change one’s relationship with oneself, to the community, and to the wider universe.” Please join us to learn more about how circles have been used around the city, and to experience a bit of circle first hand.

Overcoming Obstacles

In this workshop we will discuss and learn about using an interdisciplinary approach to researching social problems and coming up with solutions. We will look at adverse childhood experiences, trauma, social norms, and more through the lens of various disciplines then figure out how to weave them together to create positive outcomes. For individuals who are interested in going into fields in which they will serve people from disadvantaged backgrounds this can be a very important factor in producing good results. People often focus in on specific areas and when the people they serve don’t seem to be doing better it’s hard to pinpoint the cause. If we don’t incorporate a comprehensive approach based on several different disciplines interacting with each other. We will begin by learning what interdisciplinary means so this workshop can be very beneficial for those with no prior exposure to interdisciplinary approaches.

The Conversations We Never Had With Our Pops...

Inspired by the works of Dr. Alfred W. Boykin, Dr. Breyan Haizlip, and Deepak Chopra; this workshop experience is aimed at enhancing one’s awareness of self; intrinsic power; and the complexities of being young brown, and uniquely gifted. Workshop experience participants can expect to be engaged in a lively, critical exploration surrounding the progressive levels of manhood, masculinity (healthy and otherwise) and its intersection with Spiritual Laws for self–love, love, and success. Additionally, participants will be engaged in awareness building activities surrounding: Friendship, Peer pressure, Sex, Expectations, Tips for academic success, Purpose, Masculinity, Multiple Intelligences My Brothers you are invited to engage with me in a real way; ask me any question you ever pondered, or wanted to ask a paternal figure. However, in this environment I purpose and promise to operate in love, and candor; absent of manipulation.

Make It Possible

This is a workshop on the financial steps a young student must take to be financially ready for college. We will be going over savings/checking accounts, the power of interest, how building good credits helps you. We will show the power of building a financial legacy for their future, their families future and the next generation of our people. The workshop will include Power Point slides as well as interacting bits.

This is Bigger than Football: Race, Media, and Masculinity

This workshop will use Colin Kapernick’s protest, and the whitelash that emerged in response to it, as a foundation with which to collectively engage whitestream institution’s detrimental impact on young men of color’s self-concepts and self-efficacy. Students will watch and unpack various film/media clips, be encouraged to dialogue with the co-facilitators, and craft social identity maps that visually depict the contrasts between how they understand themselves (self-expectations, their passions, and their sense of self) with how whitestream institutions - such as sports and schooling – understand and criminalize them. Using these maps, workshop participants will conclude the session with a round robin discussion focused on how they might challenge, and already challenge, criminalization as it occurs in their everyday lives. Proposed Outcomes: Name common stereotypes about men of Color, with an emphasis on athletes, depicted through media. Discuss how these stereotypes distort our ideas of manhood and masculinity for men of color Identify ways to challenge these stereotypes in their everyday lives.

Academic Hustle

Academic Hustle is a presentation that will focus on the student and help them become aware of what is going on as far as their education, lifestyle and skills. The idea is to give the students tips and speak on previous and personal experience as a male student of color and what it means to be successful. The Academic Hustle is meant to show students what it means to build bridges with not only their peers, but with people who may look different or have different interest then their own. Yet through communication and uplift we as men of color can inspire one another to be as or even more successful as our European counterparts. The focus of the Academic Hustle is not degrade or look down upon other who are not like us, but again focusing on lifting as we climb reaching back down being your brother’s keeper and bringing them up with you.

Storytelling: The Art of Connecting & Healing

Storytelling: The Art of Connecting & Healing will offer participants with an opportunity to practice active listening, using narratives as a social tool, and come to their own understanding of how stories can lead to healing.

20/20- No Filters

What do you see when you see you? In an age where filters are normal, we can change how we look to people around us but we know what we see. We know what's really there and frankly that becomes the reason we use filters. It's also the reason society uses filters when they see us. Fear, lack of understanding, and past experiences shape perceptions and one thing we know is that, perception is reality. Our greatest resource we have to change what society sees us is to change the way we see ourselves. The way we see ourselves tells us how far we can go. It tells is how high we can reach. It tells us how big we can dream. The reality is that if we see ourselves as insignificant we will literally, subconsciously, sabotage our own success by our broken perspective. What is REALLY there? Let's learn to take off the filters and operate with 20/20 vision. We might have some changes to make but we are strong enough to make them. We might need some help but there is help. Let's change our future by changing what we see.

CONTROL, COMPETENCE & CONFIDENCE: How To Conduct Yourself & Survive During Encounters With Law Enforcement & Authority Institutions

An interactive workshop covering helpful advice for people of color regarding conduct during encounters with law enforcement. This poignant and timely presentation involves the audience’s thoughts and feedback while sharing vital information about media perception & analysis, the criminal justice system, action steps and personal responsibility.

Barriers to Economic Justice, Wealth, and Employment for Boys and Young Men of Color

In this workshop we will explore economic inequities and barriers that impact life outcomes for boys and men of color. By the end of the workshop, young men will: Learn about the unequal distribution of wealth in the United States, particularly through the lenses of race and gender. Explore barriers to employment and wealth for young men of color in Washington State. Explore mindsets of scarcity and sufficiency and the impact they have on the US economy.

The "Cheat Code"

Men of color often times enter learning spaces that have pre-existing barriers making it an uneven playing field. This is the "Cheat Code" to overcome those systemic and institutional barriers. This interactive workshop will expose men of color to ways they can use their own skills and abilities as success strategies. The workshop will provide them with practical tools to navigate and negotiate dominant culture spaces. It will highlight their innate ability to be successful. Strategies will include: effective communication, code switching, problem solving and mastering stressful situations as they relate to education and personal life.

Black, Brown & Profound: the Brotherhood Mixtape

Students will develop an understanding of the shared history & contemporary struggle between Pacific Islander & African American men in the Northwest. What are the challenges that we face? How do we build unity & solidarity among men of color? Learn how to build student organizations such as the Black Student Union & Pacific Islander Club at your school. We will use Hip Hop, Athletics & indigenous dance to teach you hands on community building skills. Our brotherhood training will provide you with a space for healing & inspire you to bring out the warrior scholar inside of you.