Creating Joy and Setting Boundaries in Times of Resistance
Session Type(s): Panel
Starts: Saturday, Jul. 15 9:00 AM (Central)
Ends: Saturday, Jul. 15 10:00 AM (Central)
Room: Salon A-4
During times of unrest and progress, oftentimes those most impacted by the issues find themselves working tirelessly personally and professionally to create, advocate and implement necessary change. However, this can not only lead to burnout about also barriers to progress. In order to create lasting change and truly build transformative power for a reflective democracy, organizers must be able to sustain themselves through setting boundaries and being intentional with creating communal moments of joy in order to withstand the onslaught of attacks attached to making a difference. In creating strategies for success, the mental health and wellbeing of the organizers is paramount, especially in such unprecedented times.
Moderator
Miracle Jones she/her
Miracle Jones is a community organizer and queer activist who works in the Pittsburgh area to advocate for equity along the intersections of gender, race, and class. She currently serves as the Director of Policy and Advocacy at 1Hood Media. She received her Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University of Pittsburgh. Her work focuses on implementing abolition based principles and transformative justice through writing, policy, and advocacy and finding joy in times of trouble.
Panelists
Farooq Al-Said
Farooq Ameen Al-Said, is an award winning, Emmy nominated Artivist (artist/activist) from Toronto, Canada, residing in Pittsburgh, Pa. He has gone from a once incarcerated individual to K-8 classroom teacher and now serves as Director Of Operations for the national Arts & Activism collective, 1Hood Media.
An MC, songwriter and educator, Farooq, professionally known as “Said” has seen success in both mediums. After a major label deal and success in the “blog era” of rap, he turned his attention to education and activism. With a pedagogy that sits in the intersection of arts, education and social justice, Farooq has spoken globally, even teaching a course of equity in education at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Dena Stanley (She/her)
Dena Stanley (she/her) is a black trans woman, community organizer, advocate, and social justice warrior who works in the Pittsburgh area fighting for the liberation of trans people while also advocating for equity and inclusion of race and class. She is the Founder and Director of Trans YOUniting and Co-Founder of Pgh Pride. Dena is also a chef and provides guidance and supports local nonprofits by serving on several boards throughout the city.