SolidariTEA

YWCA Southwestern Illinois Presents: Heart & Soul - Racial SolidariTEA Sessions 

YWCA Southwestern Illinois invites women and those who identify as women to join Heart & Soul: Racial SolidariTEA Sessions this winter. These sessions are designed to foster genuine connections, heartfelt dialogue, and solidarity while engaging in racial justice work. Participants will explore the concept of "race," its many dimensions, and the personal transformations necessary for racial healing. SolidariTEA will be held after Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Saturday, January 25 and will conclude the first week of Women's History Month.  The final session will bring the two groups together to share their experiences and growth.

Session Details 

• Dates: Saturdays, January 25, February 1, February 15, and March 1, 2025 

• Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

• Location: YWCA Southwestern Illinois, Alton 

• Group Size: Limited to 15 participants per group (sign up soon!) 

Affinity Groups 

Two affinity groups will be available: 

BIPOC Group 

The BIPOC group provides a space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to focus on self-healing, empowerment, and building community. Guided by Yasmine Cheyenne's The Sugar Jar: Create Boundaries, Embrace Self-Healing, and Enjoy the Sweet Things in Life, participants will explore how setting boundaries and embracing self-care can help navigate the intersections of racial identity, systemic oppression, and personal growth. Through reflective discussions, healing exercises, and supportive dialogue, this group aims to nurture resilience and affirm the importance of self-preservation as a radical act of resistance. 

This space offers a community where participants can freely express themselves, share experiences, and find solidarity among others with shared lived experiences. The sessions will delve into creating meaningful practices for self-healing while collectively imagining ways to dismantle systemic barriers and foster racial equity. 

Non-BIPOC Group 

The non-BIPOC group is designed for those who seek to address the realities of privilege, power, and systemic oppression in their lives and communities. Centered on Layla F. Saad's Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor and its companion Guided Journal, this group will engage deeply with self-reflection and critical conversations about white supremacy. 

Inspired by Anne Braden’s 1972 essay A Letter to Southern White Women, participants will explore how white supremacy manifests in personal and community contexts and develop actionable steps to interrupt these patterns. Through journaling, guided discussions, and healing exercises, members will work toward understanding how to foster equity and solidarity with BIPOC women. The group’s journey will culminate in joint sessions with the BIPOC group, creating a shared commitment to collective action and meaningful change. 

Transformative Work Across Groups 

Each group will be led by experienced racial equity facilitators and mental health professionals. Both groups will participate in candid discussions, empathy-building exercises, healing circles, and collaborative action planning. Together, these sessions aim to cultivate self-awareness, foster solidarity, and inspire action toward racial equity and healing. 

Sign up today to secure your spot in this transformative series: https://forms.gle/EV8ShfKFWzctyH4w8