Listen to the voices of Black writers, organizers, artists, academics, and cultural figures in dynamic essays that recognize and explore the trauma of Black shame associated with white supremacy, and the steps taken toward healing.

With special guest facilitator Dr. Oyenike Balogun-Mwangi, Assistant Professor of Psychology, join us in reading selected essays from the book You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience, co-created by Tarana Burke, the American activist who started the ‘me too’ movement, and Dr. Brené Brown, researcher and author. These writings provide "a space to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of Black life and Black possibility, a space that gives Black humanity breathing room," (publisher).

This will be a hybrid program. You may join us in-person on the second floor of the library or via Zoom. All registrants will receive a Zoom link.   

Readings will be posted through the IRC's message board. 

The IRC is managed collaboratively by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention and McKillop Library. Rose Albert (she, her, hers) is Associate Director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, rose.albert@salve.edu. Gretchen Sotomayor (she, her, hers) is Special Programs and Instruction Librarian at McKillop Library, gretchen.sotomayor@salve.edu.