MORE Network - 2022 Overcoming Racism Conference

Join us on Zoom for this free conference!

Overcoming Racism: The Power of Truth Telling is the theme of this year’s conference. The theme reflects the power and importance of truth telling as we work to become anti-racists and create anti-racist communities, systems and organizations. Truth telling can be done in many ways – through stories, the arts, protests, community organizing, staff development, community forums, curricula, etc. Truth telling includes highlighting the strengths, resiliency and contributions of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals and communities, as well as their experiences throughout history told through their lenses.

Recordings of last year's conference are available here: Presentation Recordings

Below is the registration form for this year's conference followed by the list of presenters and topics. Click HERE for info on this year's keynote speaker and presentation

2022 Presenters and Speakers

BIll Hicks | He/Him

Associate Education Director

Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

"No Place for Hate: Championing Inclusive Schools" Whether you are a student, educator, or family member, you have a role to play in combating bias and bullying as a means to stop the escalation of hate. ADL's No Place for Hate® initiative is a student led K-12 framework designed to engage all school stakeholders in building a positive school environment. This session will provide an overview of the No Place for Hate® initiative and share ways that students can respond to bullying or bias incidents and create welcoming and inclusive school environments.

Ilya Gutamn | He/Him

Community Planning Plans Examiner/Assistant Planning & Zoning Administrator

City of Marshall

"Personal story of anti-Semitism" The most long lasting and widespread bias on the planet. We will briefly cover thousands of years of hatred for Jews that had led to millions of them killed, and then will discuss contemporary anti-Semitism in America, including some rarely cited statistics. We will conclude with a conversation about what we should, and shouldn't, do about it.

Justine Weckworth-Pineada and Halley Morlock | She/Her

Lyon and Redwood County Resident

"Interracial Marriage and Child Raising" The personal struggles and triumphs of interracial relationships in our society.

Sami Rahamim and Ethan Roberts He/Him

Director of Communications and Community Affairs and co presenter

Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC)

"Antisemitism: A Historical Overview with Lessons for Today"

What are the origins of antisemitism and how should we understand it today? Learn with professionals from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) about the stereotypes and myths that perpetuate antisemitism and how to be an ally against this unique form of prejudice.

Tamim Saidi | He/Him

Community Leader

Islamic Resource Group (IRG)

"Islam 101"

Jammie Niemeyer | She/Her

Southwest Minnesota Artist

"My BIOPOC Experience in Southwest Minnesota"

Artika C. Roller | She/Her

Executive Director

Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA)

"#MeToo - Black Women and Sexual Violence"

Julie Walker | She/Her/Mx.

Co-Founder

The MORE Network

"You Don't Know What You Don't Know" Our identity is made of the stories of our past, and as we learn and develop we have to reexamine our past stories and recontextualize within our new frameworks.

CicelyRenee Carr M.Ed | She/Her

Creativepreneur | Artist | Author | Educator

Executive Director

Kindred Creative Art and Literary Press

"Creative Memoirs" There is power and importance in the legacy you leave behind when sharing your stories and truths.

Nicole Johnson-Debor | She/Her

Executive Director

Southwest MN Arts Council (SMAC)

"Jammie Niemeyer Virtual Reception & Artist Talk" Jammie Niemeyer of Maynard (Chippewa County) is the first artist in SMAC's new gallery. Her exhibit, titled "Diversity- An Eye on Our Growth" was the result of a SMAC Artist Equity grant in 2021 to focus on a large number of new works including her list of her 44 "Most Influential Black Americans".