#NPEA_BAL_2024
The National Partnership for Educational Access conference this past Tuesday, April 16 through Friday, April 19, 2024 in Baltimore involved important discussions about building relationships across workers in education access.
The keynote speakers emphasized the power of stories, how such exchange builds relationships (Dr.Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy) and expands community (Dr. Dwayne Kwaysee Wright, J.D., Ph.D.)... all within a burning house (Dr. Sonya Douglass, Ed.D. ). In this context, we saw how organizations are able to "press on with purpose," not tinkering around the edges, and saying collectively and individually: "...when you need me, I will be there for you."
Chanda Lockhart and Monica N. and other community-centric fundraisers are redefining what makes sense in fundraising. I am eager to hear more stories from those of you who attended their session.
Liana Maneese, LPC, NCC, MA reminded us in that good intentions help rather than heal, and thus oppress our youth, placing them in an inferior position ("me helping you") rather than collaborating with young people to heal, together.
This distinction between helping and healing was on my mind when I arrived home from the conference late Friday night. Some friends were over and we discussed what I had learned. They shared stories about snooty rich people we know who start sentences with “as a white person…,” wanting to help the rest of us. They want to help others, but not to join in the healing.
Similarly, the philanthropists described by Chanda Lockhart who want to have a building named in the family, but not actually have socio-economic diversity in the student body of their own schools. This leaves their children at a disadvantage in a global village where having diverse relationships is critical to learning to think critically. Their rich bubbles risk becoming like prisons, preventing these young people from finding their purpose.
After a wide-ranging conversation, at 2AM I offered our guests a ride home. As we drove across Harlem on 126th Street, my Japanese friend in the passenger seat began to thank me, humbling himself as Japanese do, raising me up as the generous driver. Given that evening’s conversation, I wryly responded, “I am not helping you! The late-night drive is needed as I continue to process #NPEA_BAL_2024.” He began to laugh as he responded: "And I was here thinking that you were the snooty rich guy with a car who can drive everywhere!’ We laughed together.
When we meet people doing the work of healing and we are reminded of how much it makes sense, by making an effort to share the experience we all continue to learn together. What movement did that three-day moment feed in your neck of the proverbial woods? You are invited to use #NPEA_BAL-2024 and share your story.
Today I’m back at the office, a bit overwhelmed with my 23 pages of notes and proposed action items. I’ll first meet with Theresa L.C. Hammonds with whom I was able to meet in Baltimore even though we are neighbors at the Harlem WeWork. We will take baby steps toward implementing what we learned last week and we will continue to share with #NPEA_BAL_2024 so please make sure to search the hashtag every so often.