THE BLACK GIRL PROJECT

THE BLACK GIRL PROJECT
SISTERHOOD SUMMIT 2012
PYT: PLEASURE, YOUTH+ TRANSFORMATION
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WELCOME.
We’re really excited about
this year’s Sisterhood
Summit, whose theme is
PYT: Pleasure, Youth and
Transformation. Last year’s
inaugural summit left
participants wanting to learn
more about sex and sexuality
which makes since due to the
lack of comprehensive Sex
Ed and the fact that a lot of
parents and caregivers aren’t
sure how to have the
conversation(s) needed. This
year, in addition to youth
workshops, we’ve added a
track for parents, educators
and all adults who want to be
able to create better
conversations about sex and
sexuality across the board -not just the physical aspects.
We’re grateful for the
awesome women who
submitted proposals this year
-- some coming from as far
away as DC and Maryland -and for the youth and adults
who have registered from NY,
CT, NJ, PA, DC, and MD. It’s
going to be an exciting day
packed with workshops,
panels, performances,
discussions, growth and
learning. Thank you for
joining us for this second
year and we can’t wait to see
you again in 2013.
Aiesha Turman
Executive Director
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ABOUT THE BLACK GIRL PROJECT
The Black Girl Project is a growing movement that began as a film by Aiesha Turman, an educator and a filmmaker, amongst
many other things. The film is a work of immense love that took her, and her small media company nearly three years to
complete. Once completed, Aiesha realized that The Black Girl Project was much more than a film, but could be built into
something more, so she received fiscal sponsorship from the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization in order
to do more work surrounding the Black Girl Project, and thus, the BGP.org was born.
The mission of The Black Girl Project is to use the issues discussed in the film–Identity, Obstacles, Goals, Love & Sex, Family
and the Media–to help build critical thinking, inspire dialogue and empower young women and girls.
We pursue our mission by screening the film and
participating in dialogues post-showing, direct
outreaches, workshops, symposia, and more.
We do this because Black women and girls are under siege within their own communities and society at-large. Not only are
they more likely to contract HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), they are at high risk for physical and
sexual assault, and death from curable/manageable ailments such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension. They also are more
likely to be incarcerated and victims of violent crime, including suicide.
Every day, popular media bombards Black females with the same old one-dimensional stereotypes failing to to be invested in
presenting more complex personas. Their most visible form of cultural expression, music, tells them that it is OK to be
objectified, and subjected to sexist idealogy and behavior.
We show and tell them that, through all that we do,
that they are, indeed, their own project,
and that they have the emotional and intellectual
capacities to create the lives they desire and deserve.
Our ultimate goal is to effect change globally. It’s time to explore the lives of Black girls everywhere. Their stories, their voices
deserve to be heard. The initial film was just the beginning. While the diversity in New York was a good way to begin
exploring the lives of Black girls, we’ll be documenting the lives of Black girls across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia…
wherever they are. Black women and girls are not a monolith.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE AND SUPPORT OUR WORK
There are several ways that you can support The Black Girl Project. They include, but are not limited to: volunteering,
attending our events, donating goods, services or money, partnering with us, arranging a screening and more! visit our site at
www.blackgirlproject.org and fill out our contact form!
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LOCATION + DIRECTIONS
The Sisterhood Summit is being held at the Brooklyn Unit of SUNY Empire State College, which is located at: 177 Livingston
Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
BUS
Visit the MTA for current schedules. A Brooklyn bus route map is also available.
From the North
B41 — Exit at Smith Street. Walk south on Smith and turn left on Livingston Street.
From the South
B57 — Exit at Livingston Street and Hoyt Street. Walk west on Livingston Street.
From the East
B67 — Exit at Livingston Street and Hoyt Street. Walk west on Livingston Street.
From the West
B61 — Exit at Smith Street and Livingston Street. Walk east on Livingston Street towards Gallatin Place.
SUBWAY
Visit the MTA for current schedules. A New York City subway line map (including Brooklyn) is also available.
A, C or F trains to Jay Street - Borough Hall
•
Exit near intersection of Fulton Mall and Jay Street.
•
Walk south on Smith Street.
•
Turn left on Livingston Street.
M or R trains to Lawrence Street - Metro Tech
•
Exit near intersection of Willoughby by and Lawrence Streets.
•
Walk south on Helen Keller Place towards Fulton Mall and turn right on Fulton Mall.
•
Turn left on Gallatin Place and left onto Livingston Street.
2 or 3 trains to Hoyt Street
•
Walk south on Hoyt Street.
•
Turn right onto Livingston Street.
4 or 5 trains to Borough Hall
•
Exit near intersection of Joralemon and Court Streets.
•
Walk east on Joralemon Street and turn right onto Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard.
•
Turn left onto Livingston Street.
DRIVING
From Manhattan
•
Take the Brooklyn Bridge.
•
Turn left onto Livingston Street.
From the Brooklyn Queens Expressway
•
Take exit 29 to merge onto Tillary Street toward Manhattan Bridge/Brooklyn Civic Center.
•
Turn left at Jay Street.
•
Turn left onto Livingston Street.
PARKING
Metered parking and pay lots are within walking distance.
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WHILE @ THE SISTERHOOD SUMMIT
This year’s theme, PYT: Pleasure, Youth and Transformation, was born out of the comments from last year’s attendees. The
day is organized around a series of workshops, panels and performances organized around the aforementioned theme. As
you move throughout the day, please be conscientious of others. Basically, use appropriate language and respect the space,
as well as those around you. You may be introduced to ideas that you’ve never heard of or considered -- that’s great! We
want you to learn new things and engage in processes that make you think.
Before you get started, check out the workshop schedule on the following pages so that you can plan your day. Youth have 4
sessions to choose from, with 3 workshops offered each session for a total of 12. All youth workshops are 75 minutes in
duration. Adults have 4 consecutive workshops which are each 90 minutes in duration. Adults and youth have the
opportunity to intermingle during our Opening/Welcome, Lunch and the plenary panel.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We encourage you to Tweet, Tumble, FaceBook and use all of your social media networks while you are here. The hashtag for
the summit is #BGPSS12. To log on to the wireless network, log on to ESCGuestWireless exactly as it appears. It will not
work unless you type this exactly as you see it.
RULES OF THE DAY
1.
Workshops will begin at the assigned times. There is more than enough time between workshops to use the restroom,
grab a snack and chat. If you are not in a workshop by 5 minutes after it has begun, you will not be allowed to enter, as
not to disturb the participants.
2.
If you are an adult, you may participate in the adult track only. The youth workshops are designed to be a space where
participants can speak freely and we do not want them to be inhibited by your presence.
3.
If you are an adult and your child has registered and you have not, please arrive between 5 and 5:30 to pick them up.
There is no space for you to wait for them.
4.
Please be respectful of others’ ideas and opinions, even if they are different than yours. No two people are going to think
alike and we all have a right to think and believe what we believe.
5.
Enjoy yourself. Ask questions. Participate. The day is all about you!
PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEO
Please note that we will be photographing and taking video of the day. By your attendance, you are acknowledging that you
understand this and that your image may appear on our website or promotional materials. You may be asked to consent to
an interview by one of our staff or volunteers -- it’s ok to say no, we won’t hold it against you. If you take photos to post via
social media, please be mindful and make sure you ask if it is OK to do so.
CHILL OUT
Don’t want to go to a workshop? Lots going on that you need to process? Just need to relax? Head on over to our chill
space where you can take a time out from all of the days activities.
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THE 2012 SISTERHOOD SUMMIT SCHEDULE
Below is the outline for the day. On the following pages, you will find the workshop descriptions, locations and times.
9:00AM
CHECK-IN, WELCOME AND BREAKFAST
Main Lobby and Gallery
9:30AM
WELCOME
Opening with Executive Director of The Black Girl Project, Aiesha Turman
Keynote Address: Glennisha Morgan
Glennisha Morgan is the founder and publisher of The Fembassy, a blog site that
is solely dedicated to female emcees and women in Hip Hop. Glennisha is
also a multimedia journalist, photographer and filmmaker. Her work has
appeared in Vibe Vixen, Ikons Magazine, The Fader, the Michigan Front Page,
Digiwaxx Media’s The Blast, and AOL’s Spinner.com, just to name a few. During
her media career she has had the wonderful opportunity to interview people like
Russell Simmons, La La Anthony, MC Lyte, Kevin Liles, Roxanne Shante, Deborah Cox, Jesse
Dayton, Bobby Valentino, Bahamadia, Marsha Ambrosius and Chester French. In 2009,Glennisha was
an honoree at the Women of Hip Hop Awards. In 2010 Glennisha was featured in BET’s first original
music documentary, My Mic Sounds Nice and was noted as one of the most inspiring black women on
Twitter by ForHarriet.com. In 2011, ForHarriet.com also noted Glennisha as one of 30 black women
bloggers you should know about .Glennisha’s commentary has been featured on Trace TV, Vibe.com,
CentricTV.com, and in Juicy Magazine. Glennisha just concluded working on her first MOW/pilot, “Gun
Hill” for BET and is working on her debut documentary titled, “Turn Me Up”. She also is a host and
producer on New York’s WBAI 99.5FM “Rise Up Radio” on Fridays from 7PM-8PM EST. Glennisha
currently resides in New York City.
10:15AM
MORNING SESSIONS
The Youth and Adult/Caregiver/Educator will run concurrently. Youth have three morning workshop
sessions and adults have two. Please see the workshop breakdown on the following pages.
1:00PM
LUNCH + PANEL
Lunch will be served in the Gallery at 1PM and the panel discussion will begin at 1:30. Please feel free
to grab lunch on your own. There are many affordable to moderate restaurants in the area on
Livingston Street, Fulton Street, s well as the side streets, including Gallatin Place. We suggest that if
you are planning to leave Empire State College for lunch that you do so right after the last morning
session so that you can return in time for the panel discussion.
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MODERATOR
Bianca I. Laureano is a first generation Puerto Rican sexologist living in NYC. Raised in the
Washington, DC area in an activist environment, Bianca is the daughter of an artist and educator and a
product of the public school system. In the field of sexuality for over a decade, Bianca has worked with
and taught youth of Color, working class communities, national and international organizations
advocating sex-positive social justice agendas. She’s also a Black Girl Project Board Member.
PANELISTS
Nicole Clark a social worker, consultant, and sexual health activist who has worked with local and
national sexual/reproductive justice organizations, such as Helping Our Teen Girls In Real Life
Situations, Inc. (HOTGIRLS), Advocates for Youth, the Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition
(YWCHAC), Planned Parenthood of New York City, and New York City Reproductive Justice Coalition.
Nicole lends her expertise as a consultant with nonprofits and community groups who want to improve
their approach to developing culturally relevant and youth and/or gender-positive programming,
campaigns, and initiatives. Nicole also facilitates workshops on many topics, including parent/child
communication, body image, representations of women and girls of color in the media, reproductive
justice, and self-care and burnout prevention. She has a B.A. in Psychology from Spelman College in
Atlanta, Georgia, and a Masters of Social Work degree from the Columbia University School of Social
Work, with a practice method centered on direct practice/counseling & programmatic
planning. Nicole’s workshop today is about sex and religion and is at 4pm.
Daniel is a AfroLatino Dominican genderqueer community college student. Daniel is a documentary
filmmaker whose first film was created in their 2nd year of high school. The documentaries revolve
around teenage homelessness, the history of the word “ghetto,” and the experiences of
undocumented students in the US. Daniel’s films have been accepted into the youth section of the
Tribeca Film Festival in NYC. Daniel is on tumblr @DreamingInSpanish where they respond to various
issues of what is occurring in the community. Kathleen Adams is the co-founder of Momma’s Hip Hop Kitchen: The Soup Kitchen for the Hip Hop
Soul (MHHK), a multifaceted hip hop event designed to showcase women artists, especially women of
color. MHHK serves as a social justice community-organizing platform that educates and empowers
women of color on issues that impact their lives, including HIV/AIDS and reproductive justice. Kathleen
double majored in women’s studies and urban studies with a concentration in architecture and a minor
in environmental policy from Fordham University. In May 2012, Kathleen graduated with her Master’s in
Urban Studies from Fordham University. Professionally, Kathleen wears many hats. She is a consultant
at Virtcom Consulting, a diversity and business strategy boutique consulting firm and also is the
Marketing & Partnership Manager at Fusicology, an urban art, events, and marketing company.
Kathleen is on the board of the non-profit, Faith Aloud. Faith Aloud’s mission is to eliminate the
religious stigma of abortion. Additionally, Kathleen serves on the board of the non-profit, Hollaback!
which works to end street harassment using mobile technology.
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PANELISTS (cont’d)
Adaku Utah is an activist, healer, teacher, and performance artist committed to nurturing authentic
expression within folks and transformative and healing community spaces. She is a proud social
justice co-conspirator, committed love warrior, and ever-evolving mover and shaker. She is the founder
of SouLar Bliss (www.soularbliss.com), a collective space to share, create, discuss recipes, remedies,
rituals and resources for healing ourselves and whole communities. She currently works with Project
SAFE as a project facilitator, training and supporting youth and adults in educating and organizing
around sexual health and reproductive justice issues. Her social justice work is coupled with her
inspiring performance art. Her artistry is inspired by love, constructive rage, storytellers, acts of
resistance, healing, nature, Nigeria and bridge building.
2:45PM
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
The Youth and Adult/Caregiver/educator will run concurrently. Youth have three morning workshops
and adults have two. Please see the workshop breakdown on the following pages.
5:30PM
CLOSING
*Throughout the afternoon there will be free and confidential youth HIV testing on site. Counselors will be on hand to test as
well as provide support services to those who want it.
YOUTH WORKSHOPS
SESSION 1: 10:15AM - 11:30AM
I GOT THIS’ – YOUNG WOMEN’S GUIDE
TO THE GYN
Here it is - space for you to ask every
question you every had as you embark on
this journey to become a woman. Now time
for you to take responsibility of your lady
parts. You'll have the opportunity to
understand what happens on your visit and
what you should ask for. We hope to provide
all the tools you need as you navigate
through this transition. This panel would
include a wide range of health professionals,
ready for questions and most importantly an
open discussion for your great health.
Latressa Fulton
Room 614
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YOUR WORDS, YOUR VOICE: CREATE
YOUR OWN ORIGINAL PERFORMANCES!
Do YOU enjoy writing, singing, dancing,
acting, performing poetry or doing some
combination of it all? Have YOU been
looking for a chance to try your hand at
performance and see how it might related to
your work? In this VERY interactive
workshop, YOU will get to create & write
your OWN performance piece about issues
and questions that are important to YOU!
Chandra Thomas
Room 613
BLACK WOMEN'S SEXUALITY IN POP
CULTURE: RIHANNA, LOVE AND HIP
HOP ATLANTA & ERYKAH BADU
What exactly do young Black women learn
from seeing examples of Black women's
sexuality in popular culture? In this
workshop we will explore this question
using excerpts from the television shows
Love and Hip Hop Atlanta and music videos
by Rihanna Fenty and Erykah Badu.
Examining representations of Black women
in mainstream media, we will discuss how
these images may or may not impact how
young Black girls negotiate their day to day
lives.
Renina Jarmon
Room Gallery
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YOUTH WORKSHOPS (CONT’D)
SESSION 2: 11:40AM - 12:55PM
NAVIGATING AND NEGOTIATING
INTIMACY: A CONVERSATION ABOUT
YOUR BODY AND YOUR BOUNDARIES
Here it is - space for you to ask every
question you every had as you embark on
this journey to become a woman. Now time
for you to take responsibility of your lady
parts. You'll have the opportunity to
understand what happens on your visit and
what you should ask for. We hope to provide
all the tools you need as you navigate
through this transition. This panel would
include a wide range of health professionals,
ready for questions and most importantly an
open discussion for your great health.
Lenee Voss
Room 616
WHO ARE YOU WITHOUT HIM?
Through reading, writing, and talking about
female characters that cry like us, dream like
us, hope like us, and vibe like us, we help
each other found our voices, our swag, and
our way. In this workshop, we will read
Sharon Flake's short-story, "Who Am I
Without Him?" together and discussion the
nameless main character's hurt, hopes, and
fears in order to see ourselves more clearly.
Kara Stevens
Room 613
BROWN GIRL… QUEST FOR ME
"Brown Girl...Quest for ME" is dedicated to
beginning a dialogue surrounding young
black women and their individual connection
to sexuality. This workshop will be a space
for participants to examine the history of the
black female body as well as her personal
history through art making (painting,
photography, and sculpture) by way of
contemporary black artists such as Ellen
Gallagher and Shoshanna Weinberger.
Anya Wallace
Room 614
BEYOND WRAPPING IT UP:
DEMYSTIFYING BIRTH CONTROL AND
CONTRACEPTION
Contraception and birth control aren’t
limited to condoms only. Come learn about
many of the ways you can protect yourself
while engaging in safer sex so that you can
make informed decisions about your health
and your life.
Bianca Laureano
Room 613
SIGHT(S) (UN)SEEN: VISIONING BLACK
WOMEN & GIRLS THROUGH STORY,
FANTASY AND FORM
Using the works of famed artist Kara Walker
this hands-on multimedia workshop will
explore themes on identity, sex, sexuality,
sexual orientation, representation, practice,
memory, desire, and expression situated
within the artists' historical, contemporary,
and fictive frameworks. Participants will
discuss and reflect on select pieces,
including listening to audio files and viewing
clips of Kara Walker discussing her ideas,
work and process, before creating their own
visual narratives from paper-cut silhouette
self-portraits using images and written text.
Alana Benoit
Room 614
SESSION 3: 2:45PM - 4:00PM
POP: THE POWER OF THE PUNANI - A
POETRY WORKSHOP
We’ll use poetry and music lyrics to bring
acute awareness of sexual concepts that
are frequently distorted within the media
and via misinformed adults. Participants will
create their own poetry pieces around the
subjects of sex, sexuality, love and intimacy.
Zakeia Tyson
Room 614
SESSION 4: 4:10PM - 5:25PM
IDENTITY AND DECISION MAKING: A
PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
African Arts Theatrical Productions will
perform two plays that were written by
teenage female playwrights from NYC area.
In the play, "Different" by Victoria Pittl and
"The Baby Project" by Tania Pirela. We see
in this play how a simple school project is
an immediate wake up call for all the
youngsters. Following the performances will
be a Q+A session.
Rebekah Hughston
Room Gallery
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“GOOD GIRLS DON’T HAVE SEX”: HOW
DOES RELIGION, SEXUALITY, AND THE
MEDIA INFLUENCE BLACK GIRLS' BODY
IMAGE AND SELF ESTEEM?
How we see ourselves plays a big role in
how we view our bodies and our sexuality.
In this workshop, we'll discuss how the
media, stereotypes, and aspects of religion
can affect how we feel about ourselves,
become better at recognizing when we're
receiving mixed signals, and develop
concrete ways to advocate for a positive
sexuality & image for Black girls.
Nicole Clark, MSW
Room 616
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ADULT WORKSHOPS
All adult workshops take place in Room
617 along the hall to the right of the
registration desk. Please note that
these workshops are geared to an adult
(21+) audience and no youth are
allowed to attend.
SESSION 1: 10:15AM 11:45AM
HUSH!! WHAT HAPPENS AT HOME STAYS
AT HOME
Children in Black families are raised
with the mantra "What happens at at
home, stays at home." And as a result,
Black girls grow up to become Black
women who often struggle with their
pain alone, and in silence. This session
explores how keeping family secrets
puts Black girls and women at a higher
risk for violence, sexual assault and
emotional abuse. We will explore what
prevents us from asking for support and
allowing others in.
Monica Dennis
SESSION 2: 11:55AM 1:30PM
SESSION 3: 2:45PM 4:15PM
SESSION 4: 4:30PM 6:00PM
JOY, PAIN AND GROWTH: BLACK
WOMEN MENTORING BLACK GIRLS
The session welcomes participants who
wish to explore the pleasure of serving, the
joy of helping Black girls grow and the
power of transformation. The panelists will
candidly discuss the joys, pains and growth
edges of mentoring Black girls in a society
which sends misguided messages about
their personhood, especially their sexuality.
The session seeks to share the hands-on
experience of women who embrace
commitment, express concern and embody
compassion to work with each other and
Black girls.
Lacette Cross
“FACEBOOK, SEX BOOK, DATE BOOK”:
URBAN BLACK MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS
NEGOTIATING DRAMA, FRIENDSHIP,
AND SEXUAL REPUTATIONS IN SCHOOL
AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Schools and social media websites are two
of the primary spaces where black
adolescent girls learn about friendship,
dating, “drama,” rumors, reputation, and
sex; but they do not always receive the best
advice. This interactive session will provide:
information on these topics, a space for
adults, caregivers, & youth to collaboratively
discuss their experiences in a judgment free
environment, and the tools to continue
these intimate conversations at home, in
school, and with peers.
Stephanie Stevenson
NAVIGATING AND NEGOTIATING
INTIMACY: A CONVERSATION FOR
CAREGIVERS
The goal of this session is to enable
participants to make informed decisions
regarding intimacy through conversations
with peers and facilitators. We will discuss
boundaries, consent and other components
of physical and emotional intimacy.
Uche Wogwuguwu
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