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 predominantly in person, though there are ways for attendees to engage virtually during the weekend. 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.

Registration Fee: Free

Dates: March 3-5, 2023

Who: Days one and two of the summit (Friday and Saturday) are open to anyone in the Dickinson community who identifies as a woman of color. Day three is open to all Dickinsonian women of color, as well as communities who are seeking to understand allyship.

Hosted By: The 2022–23 Women of Color Summit Executive Committee

Location: Holland Union Building Social Hall, with some opportunities for virtual engagement.

Theme: Womanhood, From Head to Toe

Schedule

Friday, March 3

Welcome Reception & Community-Building Event: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
During this session, you’ll meet and hear from the executive board and committee members 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.

Adding Color to Corporate: 6:30-7:45 p.m.
(Livestream option will be available)
Featuring Vero Loria '21 and Jiberly Sandoval '22
As women of color embark on a new journey after leaving Dickinson, they must navigate “the real world.” They may begin their dream jobs straight out of college, choose to take a year off, or fulfill the dual roles of breadwinners and caregivers. Our alumnae panel will share their real-world experiences navigating the workforce, internship and professional development opportunities. They will also share self-advocacy tips for women of color in corporate.

Debrief & Closing: 7:45-8:00 p.m.
(Livestream option will be available)

Saturday, March 4

Registration & Breakfast: 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Introductory Remarks: 10:00-10:15 a.m.
(Livestream option will be available)

How to Make Dickinson Yours: 10:15-11:15 a.m.
(Livestream option will be available)
“Make Dickinson yours” is a tagline used to encourage prospective and current students to make campus-wide changes for the better. But how does this outreach tactic apply to women of color, on and off campus, who are not always made to feel welcomed in Dickinson spaces? As a predominantly white institution, there are spaces and interactions that are not well-facilitated for people of color, and more specifically, for women of color. This workshop focuses on solutions and strategies that women of color take or have taken to navigate the white spaces of Dickinson and opens a discussion about how students, alumnae, staff, and faculty can work for change.

In Spirit and in Truth: 11:15-12:15 p.m.
(Livestream option will be available)
Featuring Portia Hunt, Ph.D., Counseling Psychologist
Spirituality takes on many forms, especially amongst women of color. What is understood as the spirit has been a vital lens for many women of color as they work to create meaning in their lives, particularly as it nurtures them in ways that physical matter cannot. In this discussion, Dr. Portia Hunt will define mental and spiritual soundness in the context of a women of color’s life and focus in on personal conceptions of spirituality and how they aid and uplift participants.

Break & Lunch Service: 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Sweeping it Under the Rug: 1:15-2:15 p.m.
(Livestream option will be available)
Featuring Nadia Alahmed, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Africana Studies
Our society has often normalized the interpersonal trauma women of color experience. Women of color are expected by others to be strong and composed in the face of adversity and offense, to almost inhuman levels. To cope, they often conceal their true feelings towards their own mistreatment to avoid stereotyping and backlash. In this workshop, Professor Alahmed will lead a discussion on the offenses and experiences that women of color sweep under the rug, and work to identify and reframe feelings around these offenses.

Coffee Break: 2:15-2:30 p.m.

The Rifts of Intersectionality: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
(Livestream option will be available)
Featuring Jerry Philogene, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Africana Studies
Race, religion, socioeconomic status, ability, etc. Held identities shape the way each person navigates their lives. But what happens when the identities held clash? In what ways can women of color learn to view intersectionality as a strength rather than a roadblock? In this discussion, Dr. Philogene will lead participants through the meaning of ‘intersectionality’ and its relevance to the lives of women of color on campus and in the world at large.

Debrief & Closing: 3:30-4:00 p.m.
(Livestream option will be available)

Sunday, March 5

Light Breakfast Service: 9:30-10:00 a.m.

My Sister's Keeper: Serving as an Ally to Women of Color: 10:00-11:30 a.m.
(Livestream option will be available)
Facilitated by MANdatory
Open to all individuals who identify as women or men of color. Allyship entails an active practice of unlearning and re-evaluation of the self and external environment where a person in a position of privilege and power maintains solidarity with a marginalized group. Allyship can be practiced in myriad ways, however, should be consistent and daily. This workshop focuses specifically on what allyship between men and women of color looks like, and ways to collaboratively work on allyship at Dickinson.

Performative Activism & Intent vs. Impact: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
(Livestream option will be available)
Facilitated by Himeno Yamane '22
Open to all. Allyship entails an active practice of unlearning and re-evaluation of the self and external environment where a person in a position of privilege and power maintains solidarity with a marginalized group. Allyship can be practiced in myriad ways, however, should be consistent and daily. This discussion will focus in on the difference between intent and impact in allyship and how individuals who hold positions of privilege can avoid performative activism while they work collaboratively with women of color to make Dickinson more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming for all.

Debrief & Summit Closing: 12:30-1:00 p.m.
(Livestream option will be available)