Building Power Together: The History of Community Organizing, Writing Resilience... (Hybrid)

Building Power Together: The History of Community Organizing, Writing Resilience, and Collective Action

Explore the power of resilience through the lens of women’s community organizing, inspired by Anne Colton and Michelle Yates’ documentary Rebel Bells, which centers on an all-girls collective founded in 2016 by three mothers who are environmental justice leaders in the Calumet region, spanning from southeast Chicago, Illinois, to East Chicago, Indiana. The mothers provide a space for young women to empower themselves to create social change through activities such as self-defense classes, social justice discussions, and mushroom foraging.

Course participants begin with a focused look at the history of community organizing and resistance within women-centered communities in the United States from the 1960s to the present. In the second session, participants reflect on their own experiences of overcoming and resilience through guided writing. The third session features a screening of Rebel Bells, followed by a conversation with community workers, leaders, and the filmmaker. In the final session, participants turn toward action, discussing and developing their own organizing efforts or creative projects grounded in empathy, resilience, thoughtful representation, and collective change.

Bridget Fernandes is an anthropologist, lecturer, photographer, traveler, and artist. She is originally from Tennessee, taught English as a Second Language in Brazil for five years, facilitated courses at a men’s prison for eight years, and has been teaching anthropology courses with a focus on how people empower themselves to make social change at the University of Houston since 2011. Through participating in various educational settings, Bridget believes that true learning happens through open dialogue.

Anne Colton is a documentary filmmaker based in Chicago. In her 30+ year career, she has produced, directed and/or edited for 100 documentary films that have appeared on networks, streaming services and film festivals all over the world. Her production company, Anne Colton Films, specializes in short-form story telling for nonprofits, and Anne creates 1-3 minute films for her clients to use for fundraising, awareness building, and recruitment. Anne believes that first-person stories, featuring people talking about their authentic lived experiences, is the most powerful form of communication that exists.  It is a privilege and honor to be able to use it to help shine a light on individuals, organizations and communities that deserve the world's attention. To see some of Anne's work, please visit www.annecoltonfilms.com

This program is being offered both IN-PERSON and ONLINE. Please select how you will attend when registering. Recordings will be distributed to registered participants only, and will not be available for individual purchase.

All times are CT. Please contact onlinelearning@junghouston.org with any questions.

Please register early. Programs with four or fewer participants are subject to cancellation, 48 hours prior to their start.