PORTSMOUTH – The Lingual Divide: ¿Y Tu Abuela Donde Esta? is the subject of the fourth in the series of “Courageous Conversations” presented by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire as part of the 2022 Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks. This free virtual and in-person event will be held on Sunday, February 27, from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. The in-person program will take place in the Levenson Room at the Portsmouth Public Library. The public can also attend the program online. Registration is required.

This dialogue will explore the ways in which the traditional alliance of Black and Brown American populations in a country historically dominated by whites — an alliance of mostly poorer, darker-skinned minorities whose struggles are similar – has become strained in recent years. Panelists will share their perspectives on issues of colorism in this vast group of ethnicities, and how, despite a shared common language and culture, Brown/Black communities experience racism from within.

Panelists Andres Mejia, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice for the SAU 16 school district; Shantel Palacio, principal advisor at Urbane Advisory and consulting partner at the Perception Institute and former administrative education officer for the New York City Department of Education; and Wildolfo Arvelo, executive director of Cross Roads House in Portsmouth, NH, will share their experiences and engage in conversation with the in-person and online audiences. Dr. Larissa Ruiz Baia, president of Lakes Region Community College, will act as moderator for the afternoon’s discussion.

The Winter Tea Talk Series, presented by the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is a series of participatory panel presentations and discussions related to New Hampshire’s Black history and African American culture. The 2022 series: Courageous Conversations: Leaning in for Change creates a safe space for meaningful interchanges, grounded in history and lived experience between different segments of the BIPOC community, and investigates current issues that continue to create tension in the community.

All programs are free and open to the public thanks to support from New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities (learn more at www.nhhumanities.org), and Exeter Hospital. For more information on this program and the others in the series, or to register for any of the programs, go to https://blackheritagetrailnh.org/tea-talks-2022/, call (603) 570-8469, or send an email to info@blackheritagetrailnh.org.

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes awareness and appreciation of African American history and life in order to build more inclusive communities today. We work to visibly honor and share a truer, more inclusive history through exhibits, educational programs, curriculum development and tours that can change the way our country understands human dignity when it is free of historical stereotypes.

Newsletter