Catherine's highlights from the We Dream in Black Organizing Institute

Catherine

We Dream in Black Philly Worker Leader

Is this your first We Dream in Black Organizing Institute?  If not, which other ones did you attend? 

2023 was my first year at the We Dream in Black Organizing Institute was 2023.

How would you describe the energy and environment of the Organizing Institute to someone who has never been to one? How did you feel after leaving the institute?

The Organizing Institute was exhilarating, I had great expectations and was excited as the momentum built throughout the weekend. This was one of the most memorable moments in my life. I left feeling like we needed more together but the constraints of life only allowed us to have three. Absorbing what I learned at the Organizing Institute I understood I had to bring the information back to share with my chapter.

Why are the institutes important for We Dream in Black to have?

The We Dream in Black Organizing Institute is important because Black domestic workers need a space to express themselves freely.

What do you want people to know about the Organizing Institute?

Black domestic workers are a vibrant group of people and we are open to embracing and sharing with others because knowledge is important and powerful. We are serious about the development and growth of each other and as professionals, we seek to bring that into all of our spaces. We Dream in Black creates a space for Black domestic workers to be unafraid and a space where there is no judgment. There is an understanding in the group for mutual respect.

What do you hope to see the Organizing Institute become in the future?

I hope to see We Dream in Black chapters in all states across the USA – I see growth for us to expand over time to continue bringing Black domestic workers together. We will continue to provide training so more workers can have access to the knowledge. We are going forward and bringing Black domestic workers are leading the way.

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We Dream in Black: We Dream in Black (WeDiB) is an initiative of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and is the organizing home that centers the voices and experiences of Black, Afro-Latinx, and Afro-descendant domestic workers.