Barbara Simmons will lead a discussion on "Impact, Intent and Effective Allyship in the face of Ism's" for Doylestown Friends Meeting’s Fourth Sunday Forum at 11:30 a.m. on March 24, 2024.
Outright racism and microaggressions of marginalized people tear at their daily lives, whether it be at school or in their community. How can we find ways to speak up and be an ally when we are not sure if it will be safe, effective, or even wanted? Intervening can be fraught with anxiety and concern.
Simmons will lead a discussion to help people gain a better understanding of how and when to become an ally and witness when it is needed most.
Barbara Simmons was executive director for over thirty years at The Peace Center, where she helped implement programs focused on prevention, intervention and tertiary methods of conflict, violence, racism and bigotry in over 300 schools, communities and families throughout the Delaware Valley.
Simmons was founding director of PeaceTalks radio (a project seeded by Newtown Friends Meeting) whose documentaries aired on NPR and PRI, she served as Ambassador to L.O.V.E. is the Answer which brings together police and the community to address racism and police brutality; and serves on the Board of the Nakashima Foundation for Peace, The Divorce Recovery Center, and the Executive Committee of the NAACP. She spent 20 years as an adjunct professor at Arcadia University’s International Peace and Conflict Resolution master’s program.
This event is free and open to the public.