Workshop: Radical Love, Joy, and Healing

In this dynamic workshop, we will explore the themes of radical love, joy, and healing through music, creative writing, sound memory and movement.

The workshop begins with a nostalgic journey into our childhoods, reflecting on the moments that brought us joy, love and happiness. We will discuss the people in our lives and invite you to identify at least one person you wish to encourage to care for themselves, embracing love, joy and fun.

By the end of this workshop, you can expect to feel a renewed sense of determination surrounding radical love, joy and playfulness.

Here are a few activities you can look forward to:

Decorative Journals: Each participant will receive a small journal to decorate.
Poetry Writing: We will write a short poem together.
Movement and Reflection: Movement will be integrated into our activities, along with reflection and creative writing.

We will kick off the morning with some invigorating movement. Stand up, shake out your hands, arms, legs and hips for 60 seconds.

Please note: By the end of this workshop, you may experience a range of emotions. If it feels overwhelming, feel free to step out for a moment.

Then, we’ll pair up for a brief discussion. With your partner, name three of your favorite toys, three favorite games and at least one hand-clapping or circle game you enjoyed. Also, share three of your favorite foods or candies. You’ll have two minutes to discuss this with your partner, followed by four minutes to share your findings with the group.

If you discover you have no commonalities, let’s explore why that might be.

Afterward, we’ll shake it out again and take some deep breaths. We’ll use our imaginations to remember our favorite songs from our childhood—whether it’s Marvin Gaye or the Powerpuff Girls theme song.

As we fight for the well-being of children, let’s remember to nurture ourselves as well.

Attendees will be invited to share in intimate table conversations to promote racial healing while enjoying a delicious buffet meal catered by The Block Bristro & Grill. Attendees are also invited to bring a book centered on racial healing or of significance to their culture for a book exchange.

United Way Worldwide is partnering with a Howard University to host a community conversation to foster connections and promote racial healing. While we are inviting spiritual leaders to help guide the discussion, community residents and social justice advocates will also be invited. We are also facilitating exercises that will help to engage attendees and elevate awareness.

A Racial Healing Circle is a compassionate space of conversation and listening for people of all backgrounds to share their stories and experiences with racism and discrimination. Together let's learn from each other and reflect our common humanity. This circle is a series of the Bladensburg Social Equity Commons.

Each year during MLK Unity Week, we celebrate the National Day of Racial Healing by having a Unity Writing campaign sponsored by the Chief Diversity Officer and the Center of Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion at Duquesne University. Students, Faculty and Staff, have the opportunity write down what unity means to them and we place each sign on the designated Unity Wall outside of the Center and we keep everything posted until the end of Black History Month (February 28, 2024).

This is a support group for African American children in my community . To empower , uplift and educate them on the history which belongs to them

The Bridge Builder Initiative Tour was designed to expose Agriculture students from HBCUs to different farming experiences, primarily, Black farmers who own vineyards. Students learn the affects climate change has on various vineyards in different states other than southern states, and how they can apply their education knowledge to various crops. The Initiative also encourages students to aspire to become land owners and perhaps plant their own crops.

This event will allow a space for local hospitals and clinics to share their information with the community about their initiatives and how they are helping to improve the quality of care they provide to patients that eliminates racial inequities in maternal health outcomes.

Nuestro Diálogo Racial es un espacio para tener conversaciones y escuchar a la gente en la comunidad de sus experiencias con racismo y discriminiacion. Podemos aprender de cada uno y reflejar en nuestro humanidad. Este dialogo es parte de un serie con él comunes equidad social de Bladensburg. Miércoles 10 de julio, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Biblioteca de Bladensburg, 4820 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, Maryland 20710. Para registrarse, llame Biblio Consulta-(240)455-5451 (presione la opción 2) o ir a www.pgcmls.info/event/10825121.

Racial healing circles provide a transformative space for personal growth, fostering open discussions, healing, education, and progress toward racial justice.  These circles create a secure environment that empowers individuals to become catalysts for positive change. 

This event is exclusive;  if you are interested in bringing this program to your organization, please contact either Sonia Lopez, slopez2@illinois.edu or Maria Gutiérrez, maraiza@illinois.edu

The series will be delivered in Spanish.