NORFOLK, Va. — This week, the YWCA of South Hampton Roads leaders hope to put a "REST" to key issues they say are facing our communities.
Organizers say this two-day conference at Norfolk State University focuses on “Racial Equity and Social Transformation.”
"...Really serves as a training ground for us to build anti-racist community, right here in Hampton Roads,” said Michelle Ellis Young, YWCA of South Hampton Roads CEO.
As communities prepare to celebrate Juneteenth next week, Young said this is an opportunity to educate and equip people to tackle problems in Hampton Roads.
“Affordable housing, healthcare, childcare, economic justice, those are the types of things we’re dealing with,” Young said.
The REST conference partners with Norfolk State’s Center for African-American Public Policy and features panels and workshops.
At a time when the world, "equity" has become a hot topic, the YWCA hopes to bring the community together to advance issues in policies, institutions, and culture.
“The impacts of racism and systemic racism in our communities, and how do we move beyond just the words and conversations, really into meaningful actions that cause system change,” Young said.
Young said they want to help people learn best practices for long-term change, which starts with honest conversations.
“When we start to call a thing, a thing then we start to really be able to lean into everyone’s humanity. But then, how do we come together for the good of everyone in order for the playing field to be level?” Young said.
On Friday, attendees dove into discussions about economic barriers.
“What can we do as citizens in our nonprofits, in our corporations, and in our own homes and communities to really reduce the silos of barriers that keep the population from having access,” Young said.
And housing barriers.
“Let’s look at what our eviction crisis is in this region,” said YWCA Director of Mission Impact Zakkiyya Cunningham. “We know that we have seven of the top 15 of the highest eviction rates in the country, just here alone in Hampton Roads, that’s not okay.”
YWCA leaders said all year long they offer programming to keep equity conversations flowing.
“There has been a lot of damage in this country intentionally done and what we want to do is intentionally fix it,” Cunningham said.