2023 Equity For All – Recap

2023 Equity for all recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us for YWCA Spokane’s annual courageous conversation.

Last Friday, April 28th, we hosted this year’s Equity For All event at the Woman’s Club of Spokane with a panel discussion led by key experts in the mental health field. Participants had the option of joining us in person or attending virtually. Step team and song performances rounded out the night focused on mental wellness in our communities of color. The panelists shared perspectives from their professions and their lived experiences as they discussed barriers, self-care, and why everyone should prioritize their mental wellness.

Let us know how the event went by filling out the survey below!

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Step Into Action!

Attending this year’s Equity For All is an incredible show of support for critical issues affecting our community and nation. And, for true and lasting change to take effect, each and every one of us will need to maintain our commitment to continuous action.

Below are additional ways you can make change:

1. Register for September’s Racial Justice Challenge. Build more effective social justice habits around issues of race, power & privilege. Register here: ywcaspokane.org/challenge/.
2. Learn about our Racial & Social Justice Committee here: ywcaspokane.org/rsj-community-interest/ OR our Racial & Social Justice Facebook group here: facebook.com/ywcaspokaneRSJ.
3. Support local organizations that do meaningful work in our community everyday. Learn more here: ywcaspokane.org/rsj-partners/.
4. Redistribute resources to support those in need. Donate to food banks, free pantries, mutual aid initiatives, & land trusts.

Consider reaching out to family, friends, and co-workers to ask them to step into action with you as we ensure equity for all. Make sure to share on social media with #E4Aspokane!

SUPPORT THIS WORK

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About the Performances

The newly formed Learning Project Network Step Team is the latest addition to the Washington State chapter of Step Team Alliance. Learn more at their website at wastepteamalliance.com.

Latrice Williams works as a real estate broker to put wealth back into communities that have long been without. She also advocates at the state level for equitable housing and is a mom of seven. The singer and songwriter is working on her first album and a memoir to share her story of building her life back up after being incarcerated for a number of years. Read her RSJ Spotlight on our blog at ywcaspokane.org/spotlight-latrice-williams/.

About the Panel

Dr. Claudine Richardson, host: Dr. Richardson is Aruaca and Arawak and the founder of Neima Educational Partnerships LLC. They hold a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University, a Masters in Public Education from Eastern Washington University, and a Bachelor’s in Modern Languages and Biology.

They have worked for over 15 years in higher education in learning and student affairs, and has served as a strategic systems educator for leadership coaching, relational and social identity leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion with accountability and commitment.

Charina Carothers, moderator: An educator, clinician, and advocate, Charina has been with the Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence since 2016 and currently serves as their Director of Equity & Belonging. Prior to her current role, Charina worked in child welfare for nine years supporting efforts to maintain intact families and reunify families when possible. Social justice and racial equity are important issues for Charina, and she serves on boards and committees that promote progress on these issues.

As business owner of Providential Solutions, LLC, Charina provides psychotherapy to children, youth, and adults seeking additional support. Learn more about Providential Solutions, LLC on their website at providentialsolutions.org.

Mariah Brigman, panelist: Mariah grew up on the Spokane Reservation and is completing her Masters in Social Work.

Mariah’s deep passion for her community and the Indigenous needs of cultural healing led her to found Yoyot Sp’q’n’i, a grassroots 501(c)(3) organization. This organization serves Indigenous community members and those that have been impacted by domestic violence by removing barriers, assisting families in search of missing loved ones, and providing outreach, advocacy, and case management.

Deekon Jones, panelist: Rickey ‘Deekon’ Jones is a Nez Perce Tribal Member from Lapwai, Idaho and founder of New Developed Nations. Born and raised on the reservation, he found himself in a community with intergenerational traumas that were often unknown to its members. Finding his peace in writing, recording, and producing music, Deekon began to research how he may be able to incorporate music into a program that could be non-invasive, and possibly even sought after by the people who would utilize it.

After years of development, a program emerged called, Healing Through Hip Hop. Deekon has partnered his research with universities and treatment facilities to help lower recidivism rates and learn all he can from each human experience.

Ciara May, panelist: As a therapist, one of Ciara’s primary goals is to offer a safe, nurturing environment conducive to internal healing. She has over ten years of experience across a variety of settings that include crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, non-profit agencies, state service, and private practice.

She uses her practice as a way to open up the doors of communication, increase support systems through the lens of social, emotional, and spiritual context, as well as offer insight into what a healthy relationship can look like. Ciara’s approach to care is considered collaborative, allowing each person to guide and explore what will work best for them in order to heal, process, and move forward freely.

Learn more about YWCA Spokane’s past (formerly known as) Stand Against Racism events here.

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