HAMPTON ROADS — Those interested in learning about race and gender issues can join a virtual discussion with members of the local community on Friday, April 23.
This two-part virtual series hosted by Hampton University and the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia will “investigate race, racism” and “gender discrimination” and how these topics affect community members. Specifically, the discussion will focus on trauma associated with both race and gender.
The event is free and open to the public. You can sign up here.
The #UnmaskingPeninsula program was created by Dr. Sarita McCoy Gregory, an associate professor in Hampton University’s School of Liberal Arts and Education and Samantha Willis, a journalist and co-founder of The Unmasking Series.
“This is the fourth Unmasking program in the state of Virginia, including the most recent, Unmasking Hampton Roads (2019),” according to the EventBrite page. “The series, which Willis began in Richmond in 2016, was inspired by the poem “We Wear the Mask” by African-American writer and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.”
Part I of the series will be a two-part panel discussion on race and gender-based trauma with “leading scholars, mental health professionals and community advocates.”
The race-based trauma panelists include Dr. Faye Barner, co-founder and CEO of the National Association of Black Counselors, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Vanderbilt University sociology professor, Dr. Allan Bergano, co-founder of the Filipino American National Historical Society, Hampton Roads Chapter and Dr. Richard Broussard, co-founder, Reach Out/Rise Up.
The gender-based trauma panelist are: Dr. Duchess Harris, Macalester College American Studies professor, Ms. Jasmine Guy, director, Mr. LeMar Bowers, counselor and executive director, Civitas Health Services and Mrs. Alexia Chavero, counselor at YWCA South Hampton Roads. You can learn more about each panelist here.
The second part of the series consists of virtual workshops where attendees can access tools on how to “understand, address, and heal race-and gender-based trauma.”
“A virtual exhibition, spanning both days of the series, features art, music, and performances by Hampton University students and Teens with a Purpose. This creative digital space rounds out the #UnmaskingPeninsula program and offers attendees a chance to engage in small group dialogues in real-time about their experiences,” according to the event description. “The HBO Max film “On the Record” – about Black women’s experiences with sexism, sexual harassment, and misogyny in the music industry – will be available for attendees to view, as well.”
Several organizations have partnered with the university for this event, including: The Asian Business Association of Hampton Roads, College of William & Mary Center for Racial & Social Justice, Filipino American National Historical Society, Hampton Roads Chapter, Hampton Roads Diversity & Inclusion Consortium, National Association of Black Counselors, National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Tidewater Chapter, Teens with a Purpose, and the YWCA of South Hampton Roads.
The #UnmaskingPeninsula event is split into two virtual discussion with Part I on Friday, April 23 from 6-8 p.m. and Part II on Saturday, April 24 from 2-4 p.m. Those who plan to attend both events must register for both dates.
Hampton University is asking those interested in submitting questions to the panel discussion to email matthew.white@hamptonu.edu with their full name and location.
For more information or to attend either discussion, visit the #UnmaskingPeninsula EventBrite page here.
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