by Sandra Hong, OVP

The Feeding Hummingbirds artwork is by Terrence Adeyanju (aka Peeld), a visual Artist, Muralist, and Designer currently based in Madison, WI. The Hummingbirds symbolize the collective need for renewal and healing. They are feeding on the nectar (love/energy) from the flowering consciousness with the intention of bringing that expansion back to their loved ones. The beaming eyes are a projection/vision of the journey to come. The doors open to more awareness, the grieving eye that comes with truths on the other side, and the heart that grows from these realizations.

The YWCA Madison celebrated their 25th year of their annual Racial Justice Summit from October 7-8 at the Monona Terrace. Over two days of in-person and virtual sessions exploring the theme of “Casting Bold Visions,” the Racial Justice Summit once again provided a transformative gathering place for Madison community to reflect on the past year and look ahead with a sense of renewed hope.

I and team members across DEM–Amanda Isaksson (OSFA), Anna Parrell (OAR), Heather Hollister (RO), Stephanie Benson–Gonzales (OAR), among others–attended this year.

For me personally, the Summit provides a space to identify and examine intangible forces and deep challenges that people live through everyday; to encounter people who serve and contribute to the wellbeing of our communities; and to learn about the breadth and depth of the work to dismantle injustice.

Professionally, I’m reminded that most (if not all) of the practices and policies that promote a welcoming, inclusive workplace culture were born from the efforts of social justice activists and practitioners. Our understanding of a Culture of Belonging–of respect, accommodations, flexibility, and acceptance of one another’s humanity–is an inheritance from generations of those who have fought and resisted oppressive, exclusionary practices and policies. Belonging is built through daily effort, and belonging is sustained the same way.

The keynote speaker–writer, lawyer, activist Andrea Ritchie–presented on abolitionist and emergent strategies (the concept that lasting change comes from small, connected actions) rooted in the traditions of resistance and resilience. Ritchie drew upon nature for striking models of collaboration (ants, murmurations of starlings, mycelium), demonstrating that together, organisms accomplish what none could alone. This collective force depends on building critical connections rooted in care and shared values. 

We each have a sphere of influence–we can shape how we interact with someone, how we respond to a situation, how we engage with our community. These individual interactions as a collection can move entire colonies, flocks, organizations, and leave lasting change and accomplishments. I’ve returned to DEM a little more aware of my own sphere of influence and the connections that I can strengthen with care.