Fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Proposed Side Event: Sankofa: Reflections on Ten Years of Black Doctorates Matter and Work Towards Human Rights Monday, March 31, 2025, 7-8:30 pm, Eastern

Dr. Pamela Felder-Small, Ph.D., President and Founder, Black Doctorates Matter Co-Lead, Programs, The United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent International Civil Society Working Group

Time/Date: March 31, 2025, 7-8:30 pm Eastern Program Contact: Via Zoom Registration Link Zoom Link BLACK DOCTORATES MATTER AND ICSWG PFPAD4 is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Sponsoring Organization: ICSWG, Black Doctorates Matter

Location: Zoom Link: Topic: Sankofa: Reflections on Ten Years of Black Doctorates Matter and Work Towards Human Rights Time: Mar 31, 2025 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81151602620 Meeting ID: 811 5160 2620 --- One tap mobile +16468769923,,81151602620# US (New York) +16469313860,,81151602620# US --- Dial by your location • +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) • +1 646 931 3860 US • +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) • +1 305 224 1968 US • +1 309 205 3325 US • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) • +1 386 347 5053 US • +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) • +1 507 473 4847 US • +1 564 217 2000 US • +1 669 444 9171 US • +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) • +1 689 278 1000 US • +1 719 359 4580 US • +1 253 205 0468 US • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) • +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) • +1 360 209 5623 US Meeting ID: 811 5160 2620 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kduIAU8Jr8

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/aP6JqB9PQ5KqAyazfwVtog

Program Contact: Dr. Pamela Felder-Small, Professor, School of Education, Acacia University President and Founder of Black Doctorates Matter

Email: BlackDoctoratesMatter@Gmail.Com

Program Title: Sankofa: Reflections on Ten Years of Black Doctorates Matter and Work Towards Human Rights

Program Overview: This session aims to present Best Practices and a Call to Action focused on research about Black Scholars and Doctoral Students and the ways the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Principles are relevant to our Research and Practice. Scholars have called for the “‘establishment of a joint value system rooted in the universal principles of the United Nations Human Rights Charter, which should be based on respect for the individual and aim for an equilibrium of knowledges from South, North, East and West including indigenous knowledge systems in an ‘ecology of knowledge.’”
This presentation will discuss this knowledge using doctoral student socialization as a framework. There will be an overview of Black Doctorates Matter activities with an emphasis on Human Rights. Panelists will respond to a series of prompts about their doctoral experiences and reflections on Human Rights and there will be a Q&A.

Panelist Information Moderator:

Dr. Pamela Felder-Small, President and Founder of Black Doctorates Matter, Co-Lead for Programs, The United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, is author of Sankofa: African American Perspectives on Race and Culture in US Doctoral Education and The Philosophical Approach of Sankofa: Perspectives on Historically Marginalized Doctoral Students in the United States and South Africa. Her research and practice focuses on the racial and cultural experiences associated with doctoral degree attainment. She is committed to enhancing models of doctoral student socialization with an emphasis on race and culture. The foremost concern in her research is the discussion of inequity in access in postsecondary education. Thus, her work not only examines the statistical trends of the doctoral degree attainment; it also explores Proposed Side Event: Sankofa: Reflections on Ten Years of Black Doctorates Matter and Work Towards Human Rights Monday, March 31, 2025, 7-8:30 pm, Eastern Dr. Pamela Felder-Small, Ph.D., President and Founder, Black Doctorates Matter Co-Lead, Programs, The United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent International Civil Society Working Group pre-doctoral and post-doctoral degree experiences to shed light on the socialization aspects of students who enter doctoral study and the disciplinary identities of doctoral degree completers as they engage their professions.

Doctoral Degree Completer:

Dr. Sydney Freeman, Jr., University of Idaho Dr. Sydney Freeman, Jr. is a full professor at the University of Idaho in the USA where he teaches Leadership Studies. He is also Founder and Executive Director of the Liberation Movement, Inc., a non-profit that seeks to liberate and empower Black people through educational initiatives. He is nationally and internationally recognized for his scholarship in multiple areas including Education, History, Black studies, and Religion and has received many national and international honors including receiving letters of commendation from the US Senate and the Governor of the State of Idaho. He also was a 2024 United Nations Human Rights Fellow and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHISTS) in the United Kingdom. Proposed Side Event: Sankofa: Reflections on Ten Years of Black Doctorates Matter and Work Towards Human Rights Monday, March 31, 2025, 7-8:30 pm, Eastern Dr. Pamela Felder-Small, Ph.D., President and Founder, Black Doctorates Matter Co-Lead, Programs, The United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent International Civil Society Working Group

Doctoral Degree Completer:
Dr. Walter Parrish, UMBC, **Photo Forthcoming Walter is currently the Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He brings more than 17 years of experience in higher education as a scholar-practitioner. He previously served as the director of diversity and inclusion at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, where he focused on advancing the recruitment, retention, and career development of underrepresented students, resident physicians, and faculty, as well as promoting health equity education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in higher education from Old Dominion University, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a Founding Member of Black Doctorates Matter.

Doctoral Student:

Mr. Nathaniel Smith, University of Colorado Denver Nathaniel Smith is an ordained minister and serves as Director of NYC Men Teach at CUNY Queens College. He is a first-generation doctoral student at the University of Colorado Denver where his dissertation focuses on the lived experiences of Black males in doctoral education. He is a 2024 Asa G. Hilliard III and Barbara A. Sizemore Research Course on African Americans in Education Fellow. Nathaniel is the Creator of “Dissertating While Black,” a nationwide initiative and supportive community for Black male doctoral students. Nathaniel is a New York City native, and he is married with four children.

Doctoral Student
 
Ms. Shlinda Smith, Walden University, Shlinda is an educator from the South Side of Chicago, she currently teaches English and Math to Junior High School students at Fernwood Academy. She has over 15 years of experience teaching, mentoring, entrepreneurship, and coaching volleyball and basketball. Her classroom Motto is “ Do what you have to do Now so that you can do what you want to do Later.” Her classroom is considered a home away from home environment. She believes in creating a space in the classroom that is welcoming and inclusive for all voices to be heard. She currently sits on the following

Title of the Side Event:
Rooted in Justice: Addressing Natural Hair Discrimination & Health Impacts on Women and Girls of African Descent

Date, Time, and Time Zone: Monday, April 7th 3pm EST, UK 7pm, France 8pm

Sponsoring Organization(s) or Entity/ies: #Free The Hair, Vital Signs (Drexel University Kline School of Law), Center for Law, Policy, and Social Action (Drexel Kline School of Law), Mane Moves Media, Grow With Intent, Just Afro Inc.

Language(s) in Which the Side Event Will Be Held: English (multi language close caption will be available)

Description of the Side Event: This interactive online side event will explore the intersection of natural hair discrimination and the health-related harms of hair products and innovations targeting women and girls of African descent. Panelists will discuss groundbreaking research linking chemical relaxer use to increased cancer risks, carcinogenic materials in braiding hair, and the epidemic of hair loss. We will examine the emotional, economic, physical, and psychological effects of these issues, while highlighting strategies for legal, policy, and collective action. By centering the lived experiences and health of Black women and girls, this discussion aims to foster advocacy, awareness, and concrete recommendations for systemic change. We will also be exploring solutions to these topics, such as passing the Afro hair law in the U.S., UK, and in France.

Location of the side event - Registration Link https://drexel.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FHxq6jxZSCiJJSjqwOEX7w

Name and email address of the lead organizer: Professor Wendy Greene deg69@drexel.edu She gives permission to publish contact details

Theme & Mission: Human rights of women and girls of African descent. This event will not only raise awareness but also equip participants with knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Confirmed Guests:
Prof Wendy Greene, Professor of Law, Director of the Center for Law, Policy and Social Action at Drexel University Kline School of Law
Natasha Gaspard, Founder Mane Moves Media, Emmy award winning TV Producer
Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka, Ph.D. Founder, Psychohairapy, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Achiamah Osei-Tutu- board-certified dermatologist specializing in hair loss/treating people with alopecia.
Dr. Patti O’Brien Richardson—Assoc Professor of Teaching at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University
Guylaine Conquet, Visual artist/Just-Afro, journalist, public speaker and inspirational advocate for anti-hair discrimination legislation in France
Dr. Charlene Makita, Founder and CRO of Natural Aura hair products, Grown with Intent Podcast, and Afro-hair advocate
Michelle DeLeon, Founder & CEO of World Afro Day

Title of the side event: HEALTH AND WELLBEING- SIDE EVENT
Healing Strategies for Black Women and Girls in a Violent World

Date, time and time zone of side event:
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (ET- New York)

Sponsoring organization(s) or entity/ies:
International Civil Society Working Group (ICSWG) 

Language(s) in which the side event will be held
English

Description of the side event (no more than 100 words)
This ICSWG side event at the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent envisions a world where Black women and girls live free from violence. Survivors and witnesses will share their stories and access healing strategies. Featuring global leaders like ABPSI, CHN, and the Global Women Development Network (offering TOT models for activism against gender-based violence), this convening highlights culturally grounded approaches for reparatory healing and resilience. Actionable steps: advocate for reparations, mobilize healing networks, support survivor-centered programs, and amplify violence prevention efforts globally, ensuring empowerment and well-being for Black women and girls.

Location of the side event (or website for registration, for events held online). For
online events, kindly ensure to send the connection link to facilitate participants’
access. Virtually on Zoom
Zoom Registration Link https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/quTpOwVMTjifz5ITvzpLNg

Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead
organizer’s contact details)
Submitted by: ICSWG Programs Co-lead Prophet N. Anyanwu Cox, R.N (MO)., M.Ed.,
Email: anyanwu1950@gmail.com | Permission to publish given

Any visual you may have to enhance your event promotion, i.e., flyers,
posters, or related materials. PANELIST: Dr. Niamo A-Raheem- Founder of The HealMobile: Journey to Your True Self, Dr. Sharon Bethea – President, Association of Black Psychology, Shean Mukocheya Simango –  Founder of Ziva kwawakabva Trust. (Zimbabwe), Princess Eulogia Gordon, Life Coach, Spiritually Gifted Healer and Intuitive, Garifuna Descent (Belize)., LilyX – The National Youth Co-Chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA).Eva Gerald Mganga- Founder of Tanzania Women and Youth Advisory Organization (Tanzania), Awo Yeye Ifafunke' Osunye' – Founder of Ifa Ministries Mystery School, Ifa Practitioner, Reiki Master-Teacher, Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, Dr. Mariam Khan, Co-founder of the Global Women Development Network, Moderator Enola G. Aird, Esq., Founder, President Emerita, and Elder Griot of Community Healing Network,
 
Weblink for any further information: https://iwgpfpad.mn.co/spaces/9306480/feed

Title of the Event:
Voices United, Healing The Global Heart

Date & Time:
April 10, 2025, 9:00 AM Central (10:00 AM EST, 7:00 AM PST, 3:00 PM GMT)

Organized by:
Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival

Hosted by:
Princess Eulogia

Event Overview:
This side event, Voices United, Healing The Global Heart, aims to bridge the gap between the Garifuna diaspora and global communities, addressing reparatory justice, human rights, and economic inclusion for people of African descent. Through panel discussions and interactive Q&A, we will explore barriers preventing marginalized communities from monetizing social media platforms, highlighting how digital opportunities can empower women and girls to navigate motherhood and economic challenges. The conversation will further examine systemic racism in policy-making, the role of artificial intelligence in digital justice, and the intersection of culture, media, and economic sustainability.

Additionally, this event will highlight the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ acquisition of Balliceaux Island and its significance to the Garifuna people. The Garifuna delegations traveling to reconnect with their ancestral roots will also take part in these vital discussions. This gathering will serve as a platform to engage in transformative conversations that can shape the future of Garifuna descendants and the broader diaspora.
A crucial aspect of this discussion will be the connection between mental health and intergenerational historical trauma. The psychological impact of displacement, marginalization, and cultural erasure continues to affect the well-being of Garifuna descendants and other people of African descent. This event will explore how these historical traumas manifest in modern struggles, particularly for mothers raising children in challenging socio-economic environments. Addressing these issues through reparatory justice frameworks will provide a pathway toward healing, resilience, and empowerment.

The Second Decade: Development, Justice, and Recognition for Africans and People of African Descent
Topics to be Addressed:
Reparatory Justice for Africa and People of African Descent
Human Rights of Women and Girls of African Descent
Media, Journalism, and the importance and struggles of "relaying the message"  
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Justice for People of African Descent
Mental Health, Well-Being, and Intergenerational Trauma
Educational Aspects of Ancestral Knowledge and Preserving Cultural Heritage

Key Features:
Twin Islands St. Maarten/St. Martin reparations-themed conference
Participation from the Chairperson of the Africa Caribbean Heritage Alliance
Participation from Africa: Secretary General of African Unity 6th Region Global & Economic Community African Six Region
CSO Regional Director for Americas and the Caribbean
Acquisition of Balliceaux by the Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Government

Special Presentations:

1. The Africa Caribbean Heritage Alliance will present its plan for building bridges between the Garifuna communities and Africa: The Journey of Return Opportunities
2. The AU6RG/ECASR will share information about the framework for engagement

Speakers:
Macaulay Kalu, Secretary General of African Unity 6th Region Global & Economic Community African Six Region
Amb. Okama Ekpe Brook, CSO Regional Director for Americas and the Caribbean
Chief Queen Mother Freda, CEO of Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival
Jacqueline Roberts FRSA, SV2G (St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation) UK
Odenke Ibiang, Singer and Influencer from Ekori, Nigeria
& More

Format & Speakers:
The event will feature keynote speakers, panelists, and audience participation. A live Q&A session will encourage engagement from diverse stakeholders, including cultural organizations, policymakers, and technology advocates.

Contributing Entities:
SV2G
Mannequins N Motion
The Garifuna Museum of Los Angeles
El Museo Garifuna SAWAINA
Freedom Hair by Melony
Other supporting organizations providing public speakers, video clips, free giveaways, and advertising support.

Target Audience:
Global African and Caribbean Diaspora
The Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival
Museum and cultural organizations
Human rights advocates
Digital justice and AI experts
Women and girls of African descent seeking economic empowerment
Social media and content creators facing monetization barriers
Government representatives and policymakers invested in the Garifuna diaspora and reparatory justice
Mental health professionals and advocates focusing on intergenerational trauma

Accredited Media: Media representatives for the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Language:
English (Some Spanish and Garifuna might be used).

Venue:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87942982480?pwd=bCTk9Ht6qpnEvzG0EB7Uwpmzo9AnEI.1
Meeting ID: 879 4298 2480
Passcode: 570935

Lead Organizer Contact:
Princess Eulogia
pr@mannequinsnmotion.com

● Title of the side event: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Human Rights for People of African Descent: a time to refocus.

● Date, time and time zone of side event: April 10 at 12pm ET

● Sponsoring organization(s) or entity/ies: Diversity Institute

● Language(s) in which the side event will be held: Mainly in English (some questions will be answered in French.)

● Description of the side event
The side event will delve into the need to evaluate the impact of the crusade against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. The murder of George Floyd added impetus to DEI and inclusion efforts worldwide and a more specific focus on anti Black racism. However, the adaptability of capital and the changing tides of public opinion are revealing the potential fragility of the DEI approach. Is the DEI approach still the right way to recognize the lasting and structural harms of systemic and intersectional racism? Does a human rights framework could effectively replace the DEI infrastructure in organizations that embrace it?

Speakers:
● Dr. Wendy Cukier, Founder and Academic Director, Diversity Institute, TMU
● Tamara Thermitus, Visiting Scholar, McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism
● Dr. Rhonda N. McEwen, President and Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University in the University of Toronto.
● Moderated by: Dr. Susan Swayze, Associate Professor, Educational Research, The George Washington University

●Link to connect: https://torontomu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nwUe5nv5SlqTxGnEZenxng#/registration


● Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead organizer’s contact details): Nancy Mitchell, Diversity Institute, n.mitchell@torontomu.ca

Title of the side event: AI SIDE EVENT
Black AI: The Ascension to Excellence - Dream Tanks: Afrofuturism as a Transformative Strategy for Systemic Change and Reparatory Justice

Date, time and time zone of side event:
Thursday, April 10, 2025, | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Pacific Time)

Sponsoring organization(s) or entity/ies:
International Civil Society Working Group (ICSWG) 

Language(s) in which the side event will be held
English

Description of the side event (no more than 100 words):                                                                         This presentation explores the concept of "Dream Tanks," a visionary approach to strategic planning rooted in Afrofuturism. By leveraging collaborative design, Ubuntu theory, artificial intelligence, and appreciative inquiry, Dream Tanks serve as incubators for imagining transformative futures that address systemic challenges. The session will highlight how Afrofuturism’s lens of empowerment, resilience, and creativity can be applied to organizational, community, and global strategic initiatives. Attendees will learn how to harness this framework to inspire visionary thinking and actionable solutions that honor diverse identities and collective progress.

Location of the side event (or website for registration, for events held online). For
online events, kindly ensure to send the connection link to facilitate participants’
access. Virtually on Zoom
Zoom Registration Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Gwz5kId6QHi-AAyeZeXwxQ

Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead
organizer’s contact details)
Submitted by: ICSWG Programs Co-lead Prophet N. Anyanwu Cox, R.N (MO)., M.Ed.,
Email: anyanwu1950@gmail.com | Permission to publish given

Discussants- Primary Presenter: Dr. Lawana Richmond, Discussant 1: Kelsey Daniels, Co-Host Perspective, Discussant: 2: Jasmine Leflore, Participant Viewpoint, Moderator- Lena Young

Weblink for any further information: https://iwgpfpad.mn.co/spaces/9306480/feed

Title of the side event –
“Researching Black Maternal Care – Embedding our Reproductive Human Rights”

Date, time and time zone of side event –
Friday April 11^th,  3pm -5pm BST  /  11:00 am – 1:pm EDT

Sponsoring organization(s) or entity/ies –
‘Mothers and Midwives Across the Diaspora’ – ‘International Civil Society Working Group PFPAD’ -  ‘Mimosa Midwives’ 

Language(s) in which the side event will be held –
English

Description of the side event (no more than 100 words) –
 
Childbirth has a lasting effect on all lives, but is surrounded by much mystery and complexities. African descendant mothers and their babies worldwide suffer some of the worst outcomes. This networking event invites delegates to hear from midwives and mothers in different regions who are at the forefront of ‘culturally safe’ initiatives to achieve profound improvements.
Be prepared to listen, to think deeply, to be curious in a safe and respectful conversational space of learning and sharing.
Thus we deepen our understanding of how we move towards protecting the human rights of women and girls both now and intergenerationally.

Location of the side event (or website for registration, for events held online). 
Zoom Webinar online link below
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iem7gIxsT4ScXxOAxH5TIQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead
organizer’s contact details) – 
Lead Organiser - Elsie Gayle - Lead Midwife, ‘Mimosa Midwives’, Member of the International Civil Society Working Group for the PFPAD.
Email address - elsie_gayle@hotmail.com
 
Weblink for any further information –
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/forums/forum-african-descent/sessions/session2/statements/PFPAD-session2-health-pnl-Elsie-Gayle.pdf

Title of the side event
Reparatory Justice for Afrodescendants (descendants of enslaved Africans) 

Date, time and time zone of side event
Saturday April 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

Sponsoring organization(s) or entity/ies
All for Reparations and Emancipation (AFRE); Afrodescendant Nation (ADN)

Language(s) in which the side event will be held
English

Description of the side event
This event explores the lasting impact of slavery on identity and the need for its restoration among the descendants of enslaved Africans. Enslavers stripped Africans of their names, languages, and cultural ties to enforce control and suppress resistance. This erasure disrupted unity, self-worth, heritage, and generational connections.
Reclaiming our global identity as Afrodescendants is essential for rebuilding a shared sense of belonging, pride, and purpose. By embracing this identity, we can foster unity and work toward self-determination. Join us in this critical conversation on reclaiming identity and collective action towards reparatory justice.

Location of the side event (or website for registration, for events held online).
Zoom Webinar registration link below

For online events, kindly ensure to send the connection link to facilitate participants’ access.
 https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L5XcNG0hTAmCw9QOvVXE0g

Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead organizer’s contact details)
Ishmael Abdul-Salaam, Lead Organizer
CEO, All for Reparations and Emancipation (AFRE)
Email: ishmael.abdulsalaam@gmail.com

Weblink for any further information
https://www.allforreparations.com/

Topic: From Crisis to Action: Tackling Sexual Violence in War-Torn Regions

Time/Date: Saturday April 12, 2025 @11:00 Am-1:00PM EST (US and Canada}

Sponsoring Organization: Let’s be Whole Inc., Women’s All Points Bulletin WAPB

Language: English

Description: This webinar addresses sexual violence in conflict zones, including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, and Cameroon. It highlights survivor-centered justice and long-term solutions, such as stronger legal frameworks, protection for women and girls, psychosocial support, and international accountability. The discussion will explore local community roles and economic empowerment in rebuilding lives. By uniting experts, legal advocates, frontline organizations, and survivors, the webinar aims to foster collaboration and drive impactful changes for justice, support, and healing for survivors.

Location: WEBINAR

Contact: Marie E. Lemy, PhD, MPH, email: Dr.mlemy@gmail.com

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/aP6JqB9PQ5KqAyazfwVtog

Title: “From Manahatta to Mahattan Historic Decolonial NY City tour”

Date, time and time zone of side event
Date: April 13th 2025, Time: 10.30 PM – 12.30 PM (New York Time)

Main Organizers
Women for Peace in the World - Collectif des Femmes Africaines du Hainaut and PAD Belgium Observatory

Co-Sponsored by
* EPAF-PAD Belgium
* Tiye International
*MRAX
*Femmes Plurielles

Language(s) in which the side event will be held
English and French. On the basis of the registrations

Description of the side event
The Context

Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking journey through New York City’s hidden histories. This decolonial tour, organized by Women for Peace in the World, PAD Belgium Observatory, the guidance of Weyu Shameka, will shed light on the erased stories of Indigenous and African-descendant communities in the making of this metropolis.
New York, originally known as Manahatta, was home to the Lenape people, an Algonquin-speaking civilization that faced violent displacement starting with European colonization. Through this tour, we reclaim narratives, challenge dominant histories, and walk the streets with a new awareness of the past’s enduring impact on our present.

Location of the side event
Point of meeting in front of the visitors American Museum of Natural Historyentry and exit through Central Park West (upstairs) at 79th Street

Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead organizer’s contact details)
Ntambwe Modi - Tel +324650600272 - email address: mntambwe@gmail.com

limited nr place 25 person - Registration Mandatory link https://forms.gle/MzdiyQRqtRjCfzM67

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