“We wear the mask that grins and lies…”
– Paul Laurence Dunbar
REGISTER
now for the
#UnmaskingPeninsula Virtual Event
April 23, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
and
April 24, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Presented by
About
Unmasking Peninsula, which convened virtually April 23 (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and April 24 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) is a two-part dialogue and workshop program examining race, racism, gender discrimination and how these issues impact the Peninsula community and the greater Hampton Roads region.
Unmasking Peninsula was co-created by Dr. Sarita Gregory, an associate professor in Hampton University’s School of Liberal Arts and Education and Samantha Willis, an award-winning writer, independent journalist and co-founder of The Unmasking Series.
This is the fourth Unmasking program in the state of Virginia, including the most recent Unmasking Hampton Roads (2019). The series, which Willis began in Richmond in 2016, was inspired by the poem “We Wear the Mask” by African-American writer and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Schedule
Part I
On April 23 (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) the series featured two panel sessions — one focused on race-based trauma, and the other on gender-based trauma. Two groups of leading scholars, mental health professionals and community advocates engaged in meaningful dialogue about these important topics impacting communities of color in the Peninsula and Hampton Roads region. TV Personality and Host of Coast Live April Woodard moderated these panel sessions.
Race-based Trauma Panel, April 23, 2021
- Dr. Faye Barner, CEO, National Association of Black Counselors
- Dr. Allan Bergano, co-founder, Filipino American Historical Society, Hampton Roads chapter
- Dr. Richard Broussard, co-founder, Reach Out/Rise Up and certified mental health crisis intervention specialist
- Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Author, Centennial Chair and University Distinguished Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies in the College of Arts and Science and University Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Society in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University
Gender-based Trauma Panel:
- Dr. Duchess Harris, Professor of American Studies, Macalester College, Author, “Black Girl Magic Beyond the Hashtag: Twenty-First Century Acts of Self-Definition”
- Ms. Jasmine Guy, Director, Actor, and Dancer
- Mr. LeMar Bowers, counselor and executive director, Civitas Health Services
- Mrs. Alexia Chavero, M.Ed., counselor, YWCA South Hampton Roads
Part II
On April 24 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) the series invited attendees to put learning into action by participating in professionally-facilitated, virtual workshops, where they gained tools to understand, address and heal race/gender based trauma.
Concurrent workshops:
- Race-Based trauma, facilitated by LeMar Bowers, CEO of Civitas Health Services
- Gender-based trauma, facilitated by Nikkia Smith Tolbert, CEO of Hearts Full of Grace
A virtual exhibition, featuring art, music, and performances by Hampton University students, Teens with a Purpose and more; rounded out the dynamic #UnmaskingPeninsula experience and was available for view via registration only, April 23 and 24, 2021 (2 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Inside the virtual exhibition, attendees had the chance to not only view the artworks on display, but to dialogue with each other about their experiences with race-based and/or gender-based trauma.
A special screening of the The HBO Max film “On the Record” – about Black women’s experiences with sexism, sexual harassment, and misogyny in the music industry – completed the virtual exhibit.
Resources
Community Partners
The Peninsula Community Foundation is a
PRESENTING PARTNER
