If We Are Brave: Training for Courageous Allyship and Effective Engagement

We are living in an era when strategic anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) campaigns are intentional in sowing division and capitalizing on fear. While this campaign, which has been funded and deployed by influential think tanks, has reached its apex in the United States, its reverberations and impact are being felt elsewhere in the world. The call for courageous allyship has never been more urgent. Facing threats of state-enforced retribution, how can individuals move beyond passive support toward active, public advocacy? This special edition of Translocating Inclusion, featuring renowned researcher, educator, and author Ali Michael, Ph.D., will explore the intentional manipulation behind anti-inclusion movements and highlight practical pathways for cultivating courage in the face of orchestrated adversity.
Drawing upon psychology and identity development principles, Dr. Michael will illuminate the barriers that often hold back would-be allies. Using her extensive research and scholarship, Ali will explore how stereotype threat experienced by members of mainstream identities – whether White, cisgender, or heterosexual – can influence one’s ability to engage in allyship. Participants will gain invaluable insights into recognizing and overcoming their own fears, developing resilience, and embracing vulnerability as strength. We will discuss what it takes to move toward developing personal and collective antidotes to stereotype threat, underscoring the necessity of engaging openly and consistently in allyship practices. A rallying cry toward actionable bravery, join us for a powerful session that promises to educate and inspire, equip, and galvanize participants in their commitment to social justice and meaningful, courageous inclusion.