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Nikki Pelonia
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As Salem State’s mission is one of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, we must address the tragically present issue of social injustice that is going on and has been going on in this country.
This year alone, we have sadly been witness to the tragic and unjust murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Sean Reed, Tony McDade, and most recently George Floyd. Sadly, there are many more Black people to name from years prior. It’s a troubling reminder of the on-going deep systemic racism that greatly impacts our country and threatens the lives of Black Americans every day.
While we are proud of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we understand that being truly inclusive means being responsive to the transformative nature of what’s going on around us. In order to foster an ever-expanding awareness and care for our community, we are offering various programs starting in June for Salem State members to engage in reflection, build nurturing relationships, and move outside of our comfort zones to a place that will continue to move us towards inclusive excellence by providing healing spaces for Black community members and ways that we, non-Black people, can do better to support the #BlackLivesMatter movement:
Healing Circles for the Salem State Black community *Black community members only
- Circles are found in the Native American cultures of the United States and Canada, and are used for many purposes.
- Healing Circles help us step out of "ordinary time" into a safe and accepting space in which to explore our healing through storytelling, sharing, listening, receiving, and presence.
- With open minds, we explore together ways of deepening our capacity to heal, alleviating our suffering, and finding meaning in both challenge and joy.
- With open hearts, we access our own inner guidance to understand where the greatest healing—in body, emotions, mind and spirit—can occur.
- Duration: 1-2.5 hours long, Scheduled appointments only
National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) Listening Tables for the Salem State community
- Listening Tables set up spaces where NCBI team members listen to community members' feelings and reactions in regards to the current and challenging issues for validation and to be heard through the practice of NCBI principles
- For more information on NCBI, visit salemstate.edu/NCBI
- Duration: 5-30 minutes long, multiple "drop-ins" per week
Workshops and Trainings
Addressing and Disrupting Racism for white people
Addressing and Disrupting Anti-Blackness for non-Black POC
- Through a series of workshops and trainings that utilize various mediums, engaging activities, and critical reflection, participants will explore the socialization of harmful cultures, practices, and policies that reinforce racism and anti-Blackness.
- The goal of this series of workshops is to co-create practices to see, address, and disrupt anti-Blackness when it happens, as well as co-create systems and that undermine racism and anti-Blackness
- Workshops and Trainings will require a commitment to the schedule and pre- and post-work resources.
- Duration: 1.5-3.5 hours, weekly
Please fill out the brief survey to express your interest in the education and training opportunities to support #BlackLivesMatter hosted by Inclusive Excellence and to receive updates on the forthcoming schedule: Education and Training Opportunities to Support #BlackLivesMatter at Salem State
Email Nikki Pelonia for further support.