Rooted in Resistance Conference
I attended a brand new conference in ATL this past weekend and I chose to go to this conference after PoCC was cancelled. PoCC was a conference that really kept me grounded, inspired and optimistic about the work I do as a black female educator in independent schools. So after the devastation of if being cancelled, I needed to look for an alternative. Initially, I was going to attend Roots to Routes in PA but the weather impacted my travel and I was unable to attend. I am grateful for the experience and opportunity that presented as this conference was amazing!
Rooted in Resistance was an intimate conference with about 150-200 attendees. They opened the conference by saying "welcome home" and it couldn't have felt more welcoming and comfortable as a black woman to hear those words. Dr. Bettina Love was an inspiring keynote and her presence throughout the conference was felt. Each session brought inspiration, clarity, purpose and JOY.
As I re-entered work, I felt a deeper connection to one of my colleagues, as well as all of my students. And I continue to feel inspired and filled with purpose. One of the takeaways was that EVERY child DESERVES a BLACK teacher and that means so much to me in the roles that I have here at Burke's. I am grateful and thankful for this PD opportunity and I will continue to make an impact on my students and this community.
I LOVE this image and so glad you were able to attend! In the absence of POCC we have been able to connect and explore other opportunities which is so important! The smaller group sounds nice and every child does deserve a black teacher and especially one as dedicated and caring as yourself. Thanks for the reflection. Much of the sentiment is similar to what I am walking away from the AAPI conference I just attended which was also a result of looking for community that POCC once provided. These spaces are so important and I'm so happy this one worked out!