Fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

PFPAD EVENT SUBMISSION:
The Intersection of Racism, Health, and Healing: A Trauma-Informed Perspective on Systems Transformation for People of African Descent ” (Spanish, English)
-Event organized by UbuntuEs — Co-organized by UbuntuEs, Kissing Lions Public Relations  and ONECA
 
EVENT TITLE: “The Intersection of Racism, Health, and Healing: A Trauma-Informed Perspective on Systems Transformation for People of African Descent” (Spanish, English)

DATE/TIME: April 13, 2025 11:00 am - 12:45 pm (ET)
 
Event organized by the ONG UbuntuEs
SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS: UbuntuEs, Kissing Lions Public Relations

LANGUAGE(S): English, Spanish

DESCRIPTION: This two-session discussion addresses the central themes of racial justice, human rights, trauma-informed leadership, and systems change specific to African, Afro-descendant, and Afro-Latin diaspora.
Session I—”Community Building Through Communications: Systems Transformation for Leaders of African Descent Through a Trauma Informed Lens” (45 mins)

Presented by Kissing Lions Public Relations

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. (US EST)

In this session, Kahshanna Evans, a member of the New York State Trauma Informed Network and Resource Center (NYS TINRC) Advisory Council member will introduce scalable approaches to trauma-informed transformation, leadership, and action by highlighting what we can learn about impact on a state level from the NYS TINRC—a grant-funded initiative funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OHM)—and will also introduce “Community Building Through Communications,” a unique framework and strategy to support corporate citizenship through a trauma-informed and resilience-building lens.

Subtitled in Spanish
 
Session II—“Science and Racism: The Impact of Health and Human Rights on Afro-Descendants” Roundtable

Presented by UbuntuEs(45 min)

12:00 - 12:45 p.m. (US EST)

Within the African diaspora, as well as among Afro-descendant and Afro-Latin communities, those who experience racism, xenophobia, and all related forms of intolerance face significant impacts on their physical, mental, and emotional health. These challenges manifest as stress, anxiety, trauma, illness, and barriers to accessing adequate care. In this context, healing and care spaces centered on the Black community have been—and continue to be—essential for collective resilience and resistance. They provide validation of shared experiences and offer tools for healing and strengthening the community.

This session aims to highlight systemic issues, raise awareness among the audience, and promote collective efforts to seek political, community-based, and legislative actions to address them.
Subtitled in English

Featured Panel:
Dr. Pastor Murillo: Lawyer and Doctor Honoris Causa, currently the Itinerant Ambassador of the Peoples at the Embassy of Colombia in Costa Rica and a member of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent. With over 17 years of experience in international policy, he has led key initiatives such as the International Year and Decade for People of African Descent. He served as Vice-Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and is a strong advocate for a treaty on the transatlantic slave trade and enslavement.
Topic: “Human Rights, Mental Health, and Racism: The Role of Public Policy in Reparation”
 
Mirtha Colón: Renowned Garifuna activist and social worker, currently pursuing a master’s degree at Fordham University. She defends the rights of Caribbean immigrants, promotes cultural preservation and sexual education. In 2012, the New York State Legislature recognized her service to the African diaspora. She is also the president of the Central American Black Organization (ONECA) and is actively involved in international forums on migration and social justice.
Topic: “Intersections between Racism, Health, Migration, and the Climate Crisis: Challenges for the Human Rights of Afrodescendant Women and Girls”

Dr. Gregorio Mijares:Professor of Mathematics at California State University, Los Angeles. Holds a PhD from the Central University of Venezuela with academic and research experience in Canada, the U.S., and Venezuela. Recognized by Mathematically Gifted and Black (2023) and the American Mathematical Society (2016), he has lectured at universities and research centers across the Americas and Europe.
Topic: “Artificial Intelligence, Digital Justice, and the Effects of Racism on Afrodescendant Mental Health”
 
Dr. Angelica Machado: Psychiatrist and psychotherapist specialized in the mental health of racialized individuals, speaker on community mental health, and consultant in clinical cultural competence.
Topic: “Effects of Racism on the Mental Health of Afrodescendants”
 
 Moderator: Christele Fanfanristele
Bachelor in Pedagogy from the Federal University of the Southern Frontier (Brazil), regional president of IPPDR in Brazil. She works in human rights and the empowerment of women and youth, supporting the Haitian community in Brazil and promoting education as a tool for liberation. She has presented at the UN and will deliver a keynote on world peace and women's empowerment in Mexico in July 2025.
 
 Registration Form Link:
 https://ubuntues.com/2025/03/25/elementor-2954/

 LOCATION: Virtual, canal de youtube: ubuntues5468

  UbuntuEs Email: ubuntuesime@gmail.com
  Website: https://ubuntues.com
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 LEAD ORGANIZER(S):
 Eidy Mosquera & Agatha Miranda Mba| ONG UbuntuEs | ubuntuesime@gmail.com | ubuntues.com
 Mirtha Cologne | ONG ONECA | mircolon@aol.com |
 Kahshanna Evans| pr@kissinglions.com| https://mailchi.mp/2de1a43de6ca/klpr-community-building-co