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Who We're Learning From: Fall 2023

As a way to uplift the collective wisdom and inspiration, our Indigo Cultural Center team share with us people and insights they are learning from this Fall:

This year, I’ve been engaging in a 9-month Community Consultations for Bodies of Culture course. Led by Resmaa Menakem, Ja Young Ahn-Williams, & Jennifer-Lee Koble, through the facilitators, fellow participants, and the small practice group I’m assigned to, it has been deeply healing as I reclaim connection with my body and somatic experiences. Oftentimes, my impulse has been to push away and down experiences of discomfort, override them, and keep moving forward, instead of giving attention to and inquiring about these ways of knowing from my own experiences/body. This is a common, historically-reinforced, and human way of being protective and is not defective, as Resmaa often reminds the cohort. And still, I am learning how to make more space and get more practice in with attuning to the various facets of my somatic experiences. “The same energy that feels like it can thwart us is the same energy that, when metabolized, fuels our liberation.” -Resmaa Menakem Interested in learning more? https://educationforracialequity.com/

-Natasha Pérez Byars (Director of Racial Equity & Consultation)




Tori Dunlap, a.k.a the Financial Feminist.

Tori has created not only a name for herself but a community of women supporting the learning and development of other women specifically when it comes to finances and investing. I have been reading Tori's book and have attended multiple webinars to increase my knowledge about finances. Fun fact, did you know that "By second grade, you have largely established how you will view and manage money as you move through life. Researchers found that even children as young as five could reliably report their feelings about money" (Dunlap, 2023, p.28).

-Ashley Mentz (Research Manager)




Scattered Minds, by Gabor Maté

It's been fascinating to learn about the neuroscience of ADHD from an author who is both well-versed in the research and is experiencing it first-hand. Most interesting to me has been the findings regarding over-all sensitivity and parental-responsiveness as factors in the development of ADHD, which has me looking closer both at my own childhood and my current parenting practices.

-Jena Nagamine, Director of Finance/HR)



"Becoming Flawsome" by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani This book is a powerful and motivating guide that encourages me to be my authentic self and celebrate my uniqueness. I have a new quote to my morning affirmation routine: "Be sure it's your real self you're showing because it's your real self that needs to be loved." The lesson I am embracing is that I should not "fake it until I make it" and will exist as my authentic self in every space I am invited to because that's who everyone wants at the table...the person they met in the first place.

-Angelique Kane (Racial Equity Specialist)



“This Filipino American History Month, I was thrilled to receive my pre-ordered copy of this book, written by my dear friend, fellow Filipino American young leader, community organizer, Tony DelaRosa. DelaRosa’s work fulfills a longing in my soul for a book that offers genuine ways for my younger self and other Asian American youth to be seen and heard. He honors the history of our ancestors through art, storytelling and historical evidence, and offers moments for the reader to take pause and engage in mindful reflection. Maraming salamat Kuya Tony and isang bagsak!”

- Krystle Canare (Racial Equity Manager)

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