Umoja Queens Attend Nandi Conference in San Diego

On October 3-4, Riverside City College's (RCC) Umoja Queens had the unique opportunity to attend the 2nd Annual Nandi Conference: Dreaming As A Tool for Liberation: Accessing Truth, Conscious Stillness, and Ease In The Body. It’s Soft Girl Season! in San Diego. Accompanied by Mary Rankin, PsyD, Mental Health Services Supervisor, and Lucretia Rose, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, the group engaged in an enriching and fulfilling experience aimed at empowering Black women in the California Community College (CCC) System.

The Nandi Symposium centered on amplifying the voices of Black women while fostering a welcoming space for all professionals and students. As stated at the conference, “The goal was to showcase the collective brilliance within an affirming space for CCC professionals and students to build community and collaboration, share practices for career development, learn strategies for navigating barriers, and exchange resources in the service of students and professionals for empowerment.”

The conference’s mission was to “provide our expertise to community colleges to build, support, and sustain institutional capacity to help Black women professionals and students succeed in the community college system.” This year's theme, “Dreaming as a tool for liberation: Accessing truth, conscious stillness, and ease in the body,” set the stage for deep discussions and valuable connections.

Professor Lucretia Rose presented a session under the conference strand titled: “We are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For (Alice Walker): Building Community, Mentorship, and Advocacy.” Her workshop challenged traditional notions of sisterhood within academia, addressing the complexities of academic politics often influenced by white supremacist practices. Professor Rose highlighted the unrealistic and toxic expectations placed on Black women, both within and outside the academy, and emphasized the importance of community healing and self-care.

“The conference was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience within our community. It offered us an opportunity to lean into our humanity and vulnerability as Black women. The stereotype of the 'strong Black woman' who can endure anything is toxic.” said Rose. “We must prioritize our well-being and support one another in our journeys, above all else.”

In an era where the voices of Black women in academia must be uplifted, the Umoja Queens returned from the Nandi Conference inspired and equipped with new strategies to navigate the challenges they face in their academic and professional pursuits. These women are paving the way for future generations to thrive and fostering a culture of support and empowerment that they hope will echo throughout the RCC campus.