Denver White Privilege Symposium

What is the White Privilege Symposium?

The White Privilege Symposium (WPS) Denver is an evening followed by a full day event designed to examine patterns, cultures, and systems that contribute to identity, power, and privilege. In examining and challenging concepts of privilege and oppression, WPS Denver offers solutions and team building strategies to work towards a more equitable world. The event is open to everyone and invites diverse perspectives to provide a comprehensive look at issues of privilege, including race, gender, sexuality, class, disability, and other intersections of identity.

The Denver symposium is unique in its ability to bring together local students, youth, educators, faculty, activists, social workers and counselors, healthcare workers, spiritual communities, nonprofit and corporate arena.

#WPSDenver2018 is bringing together a network of local and national lead learners and practitioners to engage each other and work together to address issues of inequality. This community-driven collaboration provides the foundation and resources necessary to disrupt patterns, shift cultures, and change systems by discussing how white privilege, white supremacy, and oppression affects daily life and providing strategies for addressing issues of privilege and oppression and advancing social justice.

2018 Theme: Disrupt Patterns - Shift Cultures - Change Systems

We believe that in order to create a just society for all of us to flourish, we need to disrupt the patterns that exist in our individual interactions, to question the ways that we have been socialized and to actively fight for justice for all of us. We believe that those of us from dominant cultures need to work with others like us to shift our cultures away from dominance and oppression, to build a world that protects and benefits all of us. And we believe that systems that oppress some of us, such as housing, education, healthcare, policing, and many others, need to be reinvented and rebuilt to address past wrongs and create healthy futures for all.

We're excited to share that all outside caterers for #WPSDenver2018 are people of color (POC) owned.

How is #WPSDenver2018 Connected to the White Privilege Conference?
The White Privilege Conference is an annual conference organized by The Privilege Institute, designed to create national conversation around topics of social justice.

Now entering its 20th year, WPC is supported by locally-organized White Privilege Symposia, which are held around the country throughout the year, and are organized by local volunteers. Any funds raised by WPS Denver in excess of what is needed to run the symposium will go to support the next WPC meeting, to be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in March 2019. If you are able to sponsor #WPSDenver2018, you not only help us to build and support the social justice community in the Denver area, but also on the national level.

Who Should Attend

Occupation
If you identify with one or more of the following groups:

policy makers
government agencies
community members and leaders
business owners
people who work in equity and inclusion services
outdoor industry
health care professionals
scientists, engineer, and tech professionals
administrators
faculty
teachers
graduate students
undergraduate students
high school students

*Not an exhaustive list

Identity
We welcome people from all identities:

race, ancestry, skin color
citizenship/immigration status
disability
gender identity, gender expression
body shape and size
religion
sexual orientation
veteran status

*Not an exhaustive list

High School Students: Attend the YAP Track at the Symposium
The Youth Action Project (YAP) is a national movement preparing youth to ignite social change by unpacking white supremacy, white privilege and other forms of oppression; with hands on engagement and action oriented activities in the form of dialogue, interactive exercises, affinity group space, and the arts. YAP provides a safe and brave space for youth of all ethnic backgrounds who are committed to advocating for peace, equity and intersectional social change.

At #WPSDenver2018, high school students (grades 9-12) will go through a one-day exploration of white privilege, manifestations of white supremacy, and an introduction to tools for dismantling “-isms” associated with White Supremacy. Youth will create their own methods to address white privilege in their schools and communities and participate in engaging dialogue.

YAP's Goals
SNAP! (See, Name, Act, Proceed)

Students will SEE and be fully aware of the multiple manifestations of white supremacy, white privilege, and other forms of oppression.
Students will have the courage and confidence to NAME white supremacy, white privilege and other forms of oppression.
Students will ACT by taking effective, creative and urgent measures to dismantle white supremacy, white privilege and other forms of oppression in their communities.
Students will PROCEED as leaders, planting ongoing seeds of change in their communities while staying connected to the national organization of YAP alumni.

Register. Get Involved.

Registration is now closed. Thanks to all who attended!

WPSDenver Partner Spotlight: NCDD
The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) is a network of innovators who bring people together across divides to discuss, decide, and take action together effectively on today's toughest issues. NCDD serves as a gathering place, resource center, news source, and facilitative leader for this vital community of practice.

National Conference on Dialogue & Deliberation 2018: Connecting and Strengthening Civic Innovators – Nov 2-4

Join 400+ innovators in dialogue, deliberation, and public engagement for a productive, fun professional event that will leave you energized to do more great work. NCDD's biennial national conferences are well-loved, high energy events that bring together those who are committed to finding innovative ways to convene people to address seemingly intractable problems.

WPS attendees are invited to join NCDD's D&D Showcase event, Friday November 2nd from 4:30-6pm at the Sheraton Denver Downtown (just before the WPS Friday evening event). Mix, mingle, and connect with over 30 showcase presenters sharing the latest tools, projects, and publications for public engagement. Finger foods and cash bar will be available.

WPS attendees are encouraged to explore NCDD 2018 further by utilizing NCDD's one-day registration option for Friday, November 2nd and/or Sunday November 4th. There will be sessions focused on social justice and racial equity, among others. One-day registration will open in early October. Numerous pre-conference sessions are being offered on Thursday, November 1st, including a session with Lee Mun Wah, creator of The Color of Fear. Learn more at www.ncdd.org/ncdd2018.