Sidney Frye II

Many times if we are unaware of implicit bias, it can result in perpetuating micro-aggressions and causing unintended offenses. Learn from my own story of having to unlearn what I thought I knew about soul food, and how that might be analogous for having to unlearn what we think about people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds as ourselves. This conversation is a perfect recipe for addressing racial stereotypes and biases.

What does it really mean to be an ally? Ultimately, being an ally is about taking purposeful actions, more so than making public statements. Attendees will learn about the needed distinction between authentic allyship and performative allyship which, unfortunately, is often the unintended default for many organizations. Authentic Allyship involves helping to amplify the voices of those who have historically gone unheard and working to ensure that in the future, allies won't be needed.

The story of marginalized communities is often told in terms of trauma and pain. What if we were to retell the story…not in terms of what happened to a people, but about what they did to survive? Learn how taking a strength-based approach can help change the narrative on our understanding of differences. In the process, gain a newfound appreciation for the power of resiliency, and how one can help reframe struggle as a mechanism that produces strengths.

We all have wounds. The question is how can we heal? Learn about the inherent intersectionality that exists between intergenerational and historical trauma. These realities often manifest themselves in the form of overrepresentation within the system, and overwhelming mistrust of the system. This presentation will outline a combination of practical interventions and guiding principles which human service professionals can implement in their work whether serving individual adults, children, or families.