Thriving Now – Discussion and Q+A with Askia

Thriving Now

Join YWCA Spokane for a conversation with Askia Underwood, a domestic violence survivor recently featured in Uncovered: The Secrets We Hide. View the documentary here. YWCA Spokane’s Jemma Riedel-Johnson (Community Engagement Coordinator) and Caroline Mark (CSO Advocate & Prevention Specialist) will sit down with Askia to dive into some of the complexities of intimate partner violence and hear more about her journey and how her life has changed since the documentary filmed.

• What: A virtual discussion and question & answer with Askia Underwood
• When: Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 | noon – 1:00pm
• Where: Virtual event, link to access will be provided after registration.
• Cost: Free and open to the public (registration required)
• Questions: engage@ywcaspokane.org | 509-385-6623

Watch Recording

VIEW RECAP

Meet Askia

Askia Underwood is the first-ever U.S. Business Director of award-winning, globe spanning Miroma Project Factory (MPF). An entrepreneur in residence, Askia brings more than 17 years of experience in strategic digital campaign planning, development and execution to MPF. Her expertise in digital strategy and content monetization lends to campaigns designed to motivate consumers to take action online.

A Certified Metaverse Expert, Askia’s focus includes innovating at the intersection of where multicultural shoppers connect, consider, and purchase online, along with the development of advanced format immersive, experiential, digital content, products and brand experiences.

Her past work includes migrating more than twenty-five million dollars from traditional advertising mediums to higher-performing digital, social, and search platforms working with clients in the consumer, automotive, retail, sports, pet product, beauty and non-profit categories. Priding herself on actively driving consumer behavior, Askia is often tapped to curate experiential brand moments which motivate consumers to act (watch, share, buy or donate) online.

Outside of work, she can be found dining at her local eateries, and entertaining friends in the Los Angeles area home she shares with her husband, Dr. Lance Underwood and her two youngest sons.

Meet Caroline

Caroline has served as a CSO (Community Service Office) Advocate and Prevention Specialist at YWCA Spokane for just about 2 years. She is a few months away from completing her Master of Social Work degree! Her time supporting individuals, groups, and communities across the continuum of the human experience informs the social justice roots of her practice. You will likely find Caroline talking about improv, the Midwest (her homeland), or her beloved cat at any given time.

Meet Jemma

Jemma is the Community Engagement Coordinator with YWCA Spokane. She educates and connects people with YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. She has trained and engaged over 1,000 individuals last year through domestic violence education and racial & social justice work. Jemma has been involved with nonprofits for over 10 years and is dedicated to fighting for equity through advocacy and education. She holds a Master of Science in Communications with a Graduate Certificate in Gender & Sexuality Studies from Eastern Washington University.

The Documentary – Uncovered

The premiere screening event was March 30th from 6pm-9pm at the Garland Theater. View Askia’s story below or on YouTube.

Breaking free from abuse with Askia Underwood: Askia hopes her story will help even just one person listen to their inner voice before it’s too late. You know the voice: the quiet whisper that says, “stop, turn around; this path isn’t for you.” In her case, ignoring that voice almost cost her her life. Her story is one of courage, faith, and learning to be honest with herself in the presence of a controlling and abusive partner. Her story is one of learning to prioritize her needs alongside her children’s. Today, she’s found her voice as a survivor of domestic abuse, a label she refuses to allow shame to cast any shadows over her.