Restorative Circles: A 3-Part Series for BIPOC Attendees by Honeycomb Justice 

This is a headshot of Dr. Michelle Bachelor Robinson, an African-American woman with black, shoulder-length hair and a blue floral top.

Restorative Circles

     Facilitated by Honeycomb Justice | Sign up here

Many—if not all—BIPOC scholars have experienced multiple instances of racism within the academy. As one part of the constructive reckonings that the conference organizers hope to facilitate during the 2023 Feminisms and Rhetorics Deconference, we invite all BIPOC attendees to participate in a dedicated restorative circle process during our time together.

The circle process—limited to BIPOC attendees and focusing on their experiences within the academy and the Coalition—will be led by facilitators from Honeycomb Justice, a Queer and Black-owned consulting group based in Alabama. Honeycomb Justice facilitators share a collective vision of an equitable, just society founded in anti-racist practices and methodologies, and their process “uncovers the structural, historical, communal, and emotional harm within communities [then] supports tending to the needs unearthed in the process.”

The restorative circle process at the 2023 Feminisms and Rhetorics Deconference will consist of three sessions, all conducted in a separate space dedicated to this work.

    1. At 8am on Sunday morning, October 1st, participants will engage in mutual storytelling to explore the impact of being a BIPOC person in academia as well as the Coalition.
    2. At 11am on Sunday morning, October 1st, participants will name individual and collective needs to repair past harms and prevent future ones, then identify strategies for having those needs met.
    3. At 3pm on Sunday afternoon, October 1st, participants will collectively develop solutions and decide what messages to share with the Coalition as a whole.

While there is no additional charge for participating, those who take part in these restorative circles should plan to attend all three sessions.

Please use this registration form to indicate your participation in these restorative circles. Space is limited and seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. 

For additional information of questions, please contact Dr. Cynthia Mwenja, cmwenja@montavello.edu. Please use the subject line, “FemRhets Restorative Circles.”

Facilitators:

 

Takiya Butler (She/Her)

Guided by a belief that everyone deserves a S.E.A.T at the Table, Takiyah Butler’s purpose is to redesign systems to restore procedural justice, with equal voice and choice for all.

As Owner of Excelsior Performance Group, a consulting firm focused on strategic planning, social systems design and stakeholder engagement, she helps individuals and organizations across the country to amplify what works and align their efforts toward a shared vision of wellbeing for all. Takiyah accomplishes this by supporting Individuals, Organizations and Communities navigate the complexities of social change via strategic planning, organizational development, social systems engineering, stakeholder engagement and leadership development.

For over 15 years, her roles have included local & national community organizing, leadership development, operations management, and action research with communities in Miami, FL; Las Vegas, NV, and Rochester, NY ranging from topics including Housing Development, Education Reform, Economic Development, Mental Health and Youth Development.

Takiyah is an avid Photographer, the best Aunt ever, and a Karaoke All-Star.

Jasmyne Elise Story (They/Them)

Jasmyn Elise Story is an international Restorative Justice Facilitator, Doula, and the founder of Honeycomb Justice and Freedom Farm Azul. Named one of Vice’s 31 People Making History by Creating a Better Future, they are a dedicated human rights activist with a decade of experience working in the voluntary sector. As the former Deputy Director of Social Justice & Racial Equity for the Office of the Mayor of Birmingham, Jasmyn co-led the launch of the State of Alabama’s first government sustained Women’s Initiative. This decentralized movement aims to interrupt the cycles of harm plaguing Birmingham’s women, children, trans, and non-binary folk. After completion of their M.A. in Human Rights at the University College London, they are currently completing their Ph.D. as a third-generation Tuskegee University student.

Kristine Hill (She/Her)

Circle Weaver Kristine Hill approaches healing and peacemaking steeped with indigenous perspective. This includes care for the whole community; experience-grounded trust that people can and do change; integrating compassion and no-nonsense, honest communication; and skills in burying the tools of violence. She brings over 20 years of experience as an educator, organizational administrator, and facilitator of diverse, complex communities. She has actively engaged in trauma healing for over 10 years and has been cultivating her spiritual practice for over 30 years. She is now bringing her skills and abilities to local, national, and international organizations as a restorative practitioner, organizational healing conductor, and a speaker on indigenous concerns and peacemaking for multiple faith, interfaith and societal-healing-orientated initiatives. She is affiliated with many restorative organizations and lives in the practice of an everyday life-sustaining relationship with others. Kristine is active in her home communities, living and working to build relationships, reduce harm, and restore communications. In addition to her home on her people’s territory, she is currently residing in the traditional homeland of the Mohican/Mahican peoples in the Hudson Valley, New York. She hopes to honor her great-grandmother and grandmother, both having endured residential schools twice, by continuing to have a positive outlook and help others.