MESA offers three teach-ins—Anti-Racism Teach-in Parts 1 and 2, and the Coalition Building Teach-in.
Through these peer-led educational programs, students share knowledge, experience, and practical skills with one another around key aspects of social change and personal growth.
Teach-ins offered
Anti-Racism Teach-in
We offer two Anti-Racism Teach-ins.
Part 1
Racial justice begins with anti-racism. Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies, practices, and attitudes so that power is redistributed and shared equitably (University of Calgary). This 90 minute, peer-led teach-in will provide attendees with tools and prompts to engage in a meaningful conversation with others as we unpack our varying experiences. Our hope is to raise critical consciousness and understand the opportunity for actions.
Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:
- Know the difference between non-racist and anti-racist
- Recognize how messages about race are internalized
- Understand that racism is systemic
- Develop strategies to engage in interrupting and combating racism in your personal life and within your organization
- Develop 1-2 action steps
Part 2
Anti-Racism Part 2 is a continuation of the conversation started in the Anti-Racism Teach-In. This 60-90 minute, peer-led teach-in will provide attendees who have participated in the original workshop (Anti-Racism Part 1) or have prior knowledge of anti-racism/activism the opportunity to develop strategies to unlearn racism and critically understand their motivations and reasons to be anti-racist. This workshop seeks to take the original content to a deeper level of self-reflection and encourage strategies for sustaining anti-racist movements and holding each other accountable.
Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:
- Reflect on personal motivations and reasons to be anti-racist
- Develop strategies to unlearn racism and combat agents a oppression in their own life
- Develop strategies to sustain anti-racist movements and hold each other accountable
Coalition Building Teach-in
Since the development of new social movements in the mid-20th century, coalitions have become a crucial form of organization. Throughout history, coalitions have been useful for accomplishing a broad range of goals beyond the capacity of any individual or organization. These goals have ranged from information sharing to coordination of services; from community education to advocacy for major policy and regulatory changes. This Coalition Building peer-led teach-in assists students and/or organizations seeking foundational knowledge/tools/skills to start or strengthen a coalition. Source: American Association of University Professors
Learning outcomes—Participants will be able to:
- Define coalition and its importance
- Understand the steps involved in building a coalition
- Identify skills needed in building a coalition
- Recognize challenges and strategies in coalition building
- Reflect on how to enhance strategies
Request a teach-in
To request a teach-in, please fill out our request form. One of our peer inclusive education (PIE) facilitators will contact to follow up.
Our facilitators
Teach-ins are peer-led programs. Peer Inclusive Education (PIE) team members and facilitators help coordinate, arrange, and deliver these teach-in sessions. PIE facilitators are typically undergraduate and graduate students.
Shereen Thomas
Shereen (she/her/hers) is a senior from Farmington Hills, MI majoring in social theory and practice with a minor in public policy. She has been a facilitator of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming for 8 years and has advised the College of Engineering on DEI practices for 4 years. She works in the Dexter Public School District as a social justice facilitator and also works for the Prison Creative Arts Project. Shereen loves Beyoncé and all things music, she’s played violin and guitar for over 10 years, and enjoys a good concert.
Lissette Gamez
Lissette Gamez (she/her) is a recent graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Lissette, a first-generation student, graduated with her bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology.
Akita Kotian
Akita (she/her) is a sophomore from West Bloomfield, Michigan. She is currently an economics student on the pre-law track pursuing a minor in music. Akita is an avid community organizer, and outside of her academics, works with the American Civil Liberties Union and March for Our Lives. She also volunteers at SafeHouse Center as a support group facilitator. Her main focus is promoting restorative justice and healing-based dialogue for students, and she hopes to better her community through equitable education policy.
Have any questions?
To learn more about the Anti-Racism and Coalition Building Teach-ins and workshops, contact Jamie Carter MESA Program Manager (PIE Team lead) at [email protected] and/or Shereen Thomas (PIE Team lead) at [email protected].