Transformative Change: Building Power from the Inside Out
Session Type(s): Panel
Starts: Thursday, Jul. 16 6:45 PM (Eastern)
Ends: Thursday, Jul. 16 8:00 PM (Eastern)
The progressive movement is catalyzing a new vision for the future based on equality, inclusion, justice and taking care of each other and the planet. The effort necessary to change the dominant paradigm of “power over others” to “power with others” requires the kind of deep transformation that occurs when we take an integrated approach to personal growth and social change. The most impactful organizing happens when our aspirations for living in a more loving and just world are aligned with the way we seek change. By engaging in self-care, mindfulness and community healing practices, we build our power as a movement from the inside out. This panel will present the how to’s for taking a transformative approach to change, offer hands-on opportunities for personal and collective practice and facilitate a group discussion about what it will take to build a vibrant and effective progressive social movement.
Moderator
Carla Goldstein
Carla Goldstein, JD, is Omega Institute’s chief external affairs officer and co-founder of the Omega Women’s Leadership Center. An attorney with 25 years of experience in public interest advocacy, she has contributed to more than 100 city, state, and federal laws, and has worked extensively in city and state government on issues related to women’s rights, poverty, public health, and social justice. As a pioneer in spiritual activism, she advocates for a holistic approach to social change. She is a commentator for WAMC’s show, 51%, writes a column and serves on the advisory board for Feminist.com, and serves as an Advisor to Women Without Borders.
Panelists
Kerri Kelly
Kerri is the founder of CTZNWELL, an emerging movement to mobilize people into a powerful force for wellbeing for all. She spent several years as Executive Director of the non-profit Off the Mat, Into the World and current serves as an advisor. She is relentless in her commitment to elevating leaders, groups and projects to next-level social change makers through her work with The Catalyst Collective, an innovative consultancy designed for mission-based individuals, groups, and organizations that want to be successful and make a difference in the world.
Kerri is recognized across communities for her inspired work to bridge transformational practice with social change and politics. She’s been instrumental in translating the tools of wellbeing into practical application and social action in the public sector, working in collaboration with community organizers, spiritual leaders and policy makers. She is a commitment to personal transformation that leads to powerful social change.
Other sessions: Yoga with Kerri Kelly, Mind/Body Practice with Kerri Kelly, Mind/Body Practice with Kerri Kelly
Michael Kink
Michael Kink is Executive Director of the Strong Economy for All Coalition, a labor-community coalition focused on economic fairness & income inequality.
He has helped lead campaigns to win a state “Millionaires Tax,” increases in the state minimum wage, reduce the impact of big money on politics, and organize with fast-food and low-wage workers in the “Fight for $15.”
He has organized and participated in dozens of civil disobedience and direct action protests with HIV/AIDS, Occupy and disability, antipoverty & civil rights coalitions. He studied meditation at Dai Bosatsu Zendo and has worked to bring faith, activist and mindfulness communities together for political and social activism.
He is a public interest attorney with degrees from Brown University and the NYU School of Law and has worked on economic justice, poverty, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, disability and children’s issues in New York City, Albany and Washington DC.
Sharon Salzberg
I am a meditation teacher and writer, devoted to bringing together inner transformation and working to make this a better world. I was born in NYC, spent time studying in India, Burma, Nepal and Tibet, and have lived and voted in Massachusetts since 1976.I have worked with children, teachers, active duty soldiers in Iraq, staff at various VA hospitals, firefighters, executives, politicians, and really, anyone who is interested. The core of my
work is challenging the ways we are taught to view ourselves and others, and learning the power of connection. I’ve been teaching for almost 40 years, and have written 7 books. My most recent book, Real Happiness, was a New YorkTimes bestseller.
Other sessions: Meditation with Sharon Salzberg, Meditation with Sharon Salzberg, Meditation with Sharon Salzberg
angel Kyodo Williams
angel Kyodo williams is an author, activist and master trainer that has been bridging the worlds of spirit and justice since her critically acclaimed book, Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace was hailed as “an act of love” by Pulitzer Prize winner Alice Walker, and “a classic” by Buddhist pioneer Jack Kornfield. Called “the most intriguing African-American Buddhist” by Library Journal, she is currently one of only two black women Zen “Senseis” or teachers. She applies wisdom teaching to social issues and is a leading voice for Transformative Social Change. In recognition of her work, angel Sensei received the first Creating Enlightened Society Award from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Her work has been widely covered, including in The New York Times, Boston Globe, Ms., and Essence.
Other sessions: Yoga with Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, Yoga with Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, Mind/Body Practice with Rev. angel Kyodo Williams
Jamia Wilson
Jamia Wilson is a feminist media activist and storyteller. Wilson is the executive director of Women, Action & the Media, and a staff writer at Rookie Magazine. Her words and works have been featured in and on ABC, Alternet, CBS News, Forbes.com, Fox.com, GOOD Magazine, New York Magazine, GRIT TV, In These Times, Ms. Magazine, The Today Show, The Washington Post, Huff Po Live, The New York Times and more. Jamia serves on the Omega Institute, Groundswell Fund, and Feminist.com Boards of Directors.
Other sessions: Mitigating Media Mansplaining