Women of Color Summit

The Women of Color Summit celebrates, connects and educates women of color who have chosen to embark on the journey of becoming a Dickinsonian. The summit serves as a platform to empower women of color to live intentionally, cultivate successful careers through community networking and thrive in any space they occupy.

This year’s summit will take place in person. We plan for attendees to further develop strategies to:

• be successful in their careers, internships and professional development opportunities;
• navigate white spaces;
• explore the importance of creativity and artistic craft as an identity outlet;
• identify and reframe feelings around microaggressions;
• understand the relevance of intersectionality;
• grow spiritually;
• create and maintain strong ally relationships with men of color; and
• lead conversations about effective allyship.

Theme: Living Well – Prioritizing Wellness in Times of Strife

Registration Fee: Free, please register for the Summit in advance using this registration form.

Dates: February 28 – March 2, 2025

Who: The first two days will be for those who identify as women of color! The third day, Ally Day, is open to all Dickinsonians & Carlisle community members!

Hosted by: The 2024–25 Women of Color Summit Executive Committee

Location: Holland Union Building Social Hall

Schedule

Friday, February 28

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Community Building

During this session, you’ll meet and hear from the executive board of this year’s Women of Color Summit Planning Committee, as they welcome you, introduce themselves, and lead a guided session to help you get to know your fellow attendees.

6:45 PM – 7:45 PM | Opening Panel: "Resilience & Resistance – Thriving Amid Challenges"

As women of color, we are constantly navigating balance. This panel of women of color from diverse disciplines—including health, advocacy, and education — will discuss activism, resilience, and rest. How do we care for ourselves while remaining engaged in our communities? How do we challenge systems while prioritizing wellness? What can finding balance look like? Panelists will share personal experiences, insights, and suggestions for navigating balance!

7:45 PM – 8:00 PM | Debrief & Closing Remarks

Saturday, March 1

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Opening Remarks & Breakfast

10:30 AM – 11:45 AM | Creative Expression as a Wellness Practice

Featuring Adrienne Su, Professor of Creative Writing & Poet-in-Residence

There are many ways to practice self-expression and some go underappreciated. Author, Adrienne Su will lead a workshop exploring the power of creative expression — whether through writing, poetry, or storytelling — as a means of self-care and healing. Attendees will engage in guided exercises to reflect on their identities and experiences, using writing as a tool for reflection, empowerment, and expression.  

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM | Boundaries & Self-Preservation in Activism & Work

Featuring Dr. Amanda "Mandy" Cheromiah, Executive Director, Center for the Futures of Native Peoples

Academia, workplaces, activism or advocacy spaces. We as women of color exist in multiple, often overlapping demanding environments. Expectations that we are constantly engaged in ‘doing the work’ are often to our detriment. Dr. Mandy Cheromiah will focus on the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries to prevent burnout while staying committed to one’s passions and community work. Attendees will leave knowing that self-preservation is never selfish!

1:20 PM – 2:20 PM | Break & Lunch Service

2:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Grounding Through Clay

Featuring Rachel Eng, Visual Artist & Associate Professor of Art and Art History

Artist, Rachel Eng will lead us in an interactive clay workshop invites participants to engage in a grounding practice through tactile creativity. Working with clay provides a way to connect with the present moment, release tension, and explore mindfulness in a hands-on way. No prior experience with clay is needed—just a willingness to create and reflect!

4:10 PM – 5:10 PM | Meditative Practice for Healing

Featuring Supriya Dixit, Meditation & Compassion Care Instructor, Adjunct Professor

Supriya Dixit, a meditation instructor and expert in health, will guide attendees through breathwork, mindfulness, and other meditation techniques designed to support or restore inner balance. Whether you are new to meditation or have an existing practice, this workshop will provide space to explore how meditation can be used as a tool for healing and self-care.

Sunday, March 2

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM | Breakfast & Icebreakers

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM | Break

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM | My Sister's Keeper: Serving as an Ally to Women of Color

Facilitated by MANdatory

This discussion will explore what it truly means to be an ally in wellness and social justice spaces. Panelists will discuss ways to move beyond performative allyship and take meaningful, actionable steps in supporting women of color in all aspects of life, from workplaces to community healing spaces.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM | Intersections of Allyship & Wellness

Featuring Safronia Perry, CEO (The Learning Tree PA) & Carlisle Borough Council Member

Led by Carlisle Community leader, Safronia Perry, this interactive session will focus on the intersections of allyship and wellness.

1:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Debrief & Summit Closing