The ACCT Anti-Racism and Civic Courage Training Conference, “Community Responses to Breaking Down Structures,” held on October 25th at Union, brought together over 80 participants from civil society organizations, artists, and activists for an inspiring evening dedicated to dismantling racist systems.
The event featured compelling keynote speeches by Garba Diallo (Crossing Borders) on “Diversity as Anti-Racism in Practice” and Shayi Addean (Another Life) on “Intersectional Approaches to Social Sustainability,” along with engaging panel discussions on topics like cultural resilience and grassroots anti-racist movements. Creative performances, including Suzanne Potempa’s belly dance, Wanjiku Victoria Seest’s theatrical piece Blinkered, and Fire Raka’s powerful rap, energized the audience and underscored the role of art in deconstructing racism.
The conference celebrated the achievements of the ACCT project, fostered collaboration among its eight member organizations, and reinforced a shared commitment to challenging oppressive systems while inspiring action towards a more equitable future.