Elements Organization hosts its second annual LGBTQ Womyn of Color Conference Oct. 7-10 at various locations throughout the city. Last year’s inaugural conference drew over 150 participants from across the country.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Crossroads and Crosswinds: Connecting Across Race and Space,” and features workshops, film screenings, keynote addresses and parties aimed at serving and addressing issues for LGBTQ womyn of color in Philadelphia.
Grammy-winning singer Dionne Farris is scheduled to perform at the conference along with other singers and spoken-word artists. Farris said she’ll be contributing her best asset: her voice.
“I’m going to be using my art as God has given it to me to do,” she said. “My purpose is to sing and that’s what I was called to do. So that’s probably what I’ll be doing.”
Adrienne N. Williams, co-executive director of Elements Organization, stressed how important it is to have artists and performers participate in the conference.
“We just want to show the community that we have support from an ally like Dionne Farris who is saying, ‘You’re doing something great in your community. I’ll be a part of that.’ When the call to action was brought to her, the way that she signed on was awesome. So I think it’s great to show that our community can have something great that crosses across spectrums. It’s great for our community and our allies.”
Farris’ manager, William Burke, brought the conference to Farris’ attention and said he believes that art, especially when used in events like this one, often bridges the differences people have in ideas and ideals.
“Throughout history, we found that art forms such as music have become a universal language. So even when people are divided, music has a way of unifying people and helping to bridge the language barriers and help people to relate better to one another,” Burke said.
The themes for this year’s workshops include issues addressed at last year’s conference such as race, gender expression and spirituality, as well as some newer subjects.
“We’ll definitely reach all those points,” Williams said. “Social justice is also new this year and finding a way we can lift our voices nationally.”
The keynote speakers for this year’s conference include Van Nguyen, a youth educator and community member; Coya Artichoker, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and founder of the 2-Spirit First Nations Collective; and Marquita Thomas, founder of the Serafemme Queer Women of Color Music Festival.
Additionally, Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT Affairs, will speak at an Intergenerational Brunch at 10 a.m. Oct. 9.
Both Farris and Williams were clear and concise about what they wanted participants to take away from the conference.
“For me, gratitude,” Farris said. “I hope people are grateful that I’m able to share with them what I do. I hope that I will be able to give something for someone to hold on to beyond the conference. I’m hoping that what is supposed to be exchanged will be exchanged.”
“I hope people take away a sense of unification,” Williams added. “I hope they feel like their community has heard that they have a voice. This concert is for the constituency to come together and to celebrate who we are.”
Elements Organization presents the Second Annual LGBTQ Womyn of Color Conference Oct. 7-10, with most events taking place at American Friend’s Service Committee Building, 1501 Cherry St. For a full list of events, activities and participants or to purchase tickets, call (610) 297-4282 or visit www.ourelements.org.
Larry Nichols can be reached at [email protected].