BIPOC Summit provides support and empowerment to BIPOC members
On Dec. 12-13, BIPOC members of Education Minnesota gathered in Bloomington for the BIPOC summit. This summit brings together members of color to uplift the strength and solidarity of BIPOC members.
This year’s theme was “rooted and rising: honoring history and shaping our future.” Nicole Lawson, chair of Education Minnesota’s Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, and Jasman Myers, Education Minnesota governing board member, share their experience at the summit below:
Nicole: “I was so excited by the number of members who attended the BIPOC Summit. It was clear that people had come to learn and simply be in the company of other like-minded individuals. My hope was that everyone who attended left with their buckets full—full of hope, renewed energy and a continued commitment to doing the important work that education requires.
On Friday, President Byron opened the summit and gave a beautiful tribute to the late Ternesha Burroughs, Education Minnesota–Osseo President. Providing an opportunity to collectively grieve while honoring her life and legacy was deeply healing. Several people shared what she meant to them and how her legacy continues to live on in those of us who knew her.”
Jasman: “Education Minnesota members enjoyed affirming conversations over a beautifully curated dinner before being embraced by The Boyz powwow drum group, based out of the Twin Cities. The welcoming rhythms were soul-stirring and a powerful lead up to honoring Ternesha. For many guests, the insight gained through the celebration of her life truly shaped their perspective on dedicated union leadership, and the voices of Ternesha’s family, friends and colleagues set the tone for an impactful conference.
Performer Eshay Brantley’s spoken word encompassed the internal struggle of Black womanhood with an uplifting call-and-response narrative that spoke to the audience and shifted the collective energy. After sharing tears and laughter, the social gathering at the end of the night was a joyous expression of life that allowed us to build connections with fellow members across the state.
Over breakfast on Saturday morning, participants were formally welcomed back by Education Minnesota staff and the member advisory team. With breath and reverence, we acknowledged and honored the land and labor of our BIPOC ancestors. Afterwards, the Ananya Dance Theatre social justice choreography broke the ice and engaged the audience in dance.”
Nicole: “The dancers did a phenomenal job leading us in movement and self-expression—another opportunity to release things we had been carrying.
After a brief pause, we attended various sessions. One session I attended, led by Danielle Houser, focused on healing from colonization. Before diving into the session, she encouraged us not to focus on the person beside us, but instead to take the time to focus inward and ask ourselves what we individually needed to release and let go. Through breathwork, we experienced a sense of freedom as we released cares, situations, people and work, taking a moment to focus solely on ourselves.
Danielle also spent time discussing the characteristics of white supremacy culture and its impact on BIPOC communities. We explored ideas such as perfectionism, the belief that there is only one “right” way to do something, individualism, either/or thinking and objectivity—the denial of values and lived experiences. It was a profound opportunity to sit in community, challenge my own conditioning, and engage in healing. I am so grateful for each and every presenter—this summit was truly transformational.
We concluded the Summit with a panel featuring Attorney General Keith Ellison and a host of legislators. We could have listened to them for hours. They provided powerful insight into what is currently happening in our world and what we, as educators, can do. On the Attorney General’s website, there is a list of actionable ideas; one that stood out to me was the importance of educating and connecting with our families.”
Jasman: “Members felt safe and shared their initial hesitation to commute to union-led events due to the recent uptick in ICE enforcement in Minnesota. The on-site rapid response team’s presence operated like a halo protecting the essence of solidarity and unionism.”
Nicole: “All in all, this Summit was a wonderful way to detox, connect, and heal in community.
My final parting charge to the group was this:
Rooted in them, rising together—we carry on, unstoppable, filled with hope, brimming with joy, and the unwavering expectation of a brighter tomorrow. May we continue to remember, resist, and reimagine. And may we never forget: the future of education is being shaped by us, here and now. ‘We are rooted. We are rising. And together, we are unstoppable.’”
