PRESENTERS: Jay Knight (Faculty) and Trina Flake-Poston (Community Member)

Covering is described as the process of masking or concealing. Often used as a mechanism of protection, it can take many forms as individuals cover stigmatized and/or marginalized personal identities. This might be clothing to cover a gender identity, altering of a name to prevent potential linkage to racial or ethnic group, and so much more. Concepts will be explored via personal stories and examples to take the participant on a journey of defining and understanding a few forms of covering, why covering exists, as well as the “loneliness of onlyness” and its associated traumas. Participants in this workshop can expect to learn and explore tools to create “brave spaces” that promote the building of “safe spaces” - spaces to empower authentic self-uncovered. This workshop is designed to navigate the concepts associated with covering while providing self-reflection and skillset opportunities to become aware of the covers. Participants can also expect to walk away with an understanding of both the impact of spicy privilege and how they can counteract it with spicy awareness.  Workshop