African American Wisdom - More than a Summit

By Nadirah Adeye

Since I was given the opportunity to co-create and host the African American Wisdom Summit, I have been viewing it as a love letter to all that I honor and appreciate about Black people. Our resilience, our commitment to changing the world in positive ways for our children, our deep spiritual anchoring and the multitude of ways we are doing work that aligns with the mission of The Shift Network - empowering people to build a world that works for all of us beings who are living here together.

I’ve heard people say that children cannot see differences in skin color and I would wholeheartedly disagree. I knew, quite early in my life, that I did not look like the majority of the women who were shown in film and print as examples of what it meant to be pretty or the ones to emulate. I’d say that what children do not know and, unfortunately, are taught as they mature in our society, is that being different from what is considered “normal” or mainstream often means being treated differently. That is something that children of color, female children, LGBTQ children and children of depressed socioeconomic backgrounds often learn quite early in their lives.

For me, the process of reaching a place of self-love and pride (specifically as it relates to being black) has been largely thanks to the efforts of my parents. They took us to community events, talked to us about the value of what Black people have contributed to this nation and to our world. They surrounded us with people of color who were successful and inspiring and motivated in their own lives. But negative media still gets through and even after years of courses and trainings to unlearn the toxic things we are taught - I still catch myself and have to challenge myself to understand why I think the way I do.

A lot of people do not have the chance to get those trainings that interrupt those negative patterns and it’s harmful when we have those tapes running about people who are different from us. It’s horrifically damaging when we have them about ourselves.

That’s why I’m glad we’re bringing these healing voices to our listeners - reminding people about the benefits of a meditation practice, reminding them of the importance of self-care, of the power of spiritual connection and all these things that we can generally agree are positive, beneficial and true. But also the value of hearing African Americans speak about these things so that we’re also reminding people that Black folks are doing this work too. Whether listeners identify as POC - people of color - or not, our speakers will offer some insight or perspective that helps listeners understand their own journeys and those of the people around them

I really love what we do here at The Shift Network, supporting people to make shifts in themselves, their lives, their communities and the world. I love that we, the employees, are here doing the same in our own lives and that through this summit we have the chance to spotlight people who happen to look like me and my family and are a part of that shift. We are all on this journey together but if we don’t see or notice who all is walking the path it can lead to a feeling of isolation or disconnection.

So, the purpose of this summit is to foster a sense of connection and for listeners to receive inspiration to keep doing the work that they are doing in their own lives. We’re doing it during Black History Month (also known as African American History Month) because that is a time that has been set aside to intentionally remember and honor the contributions of Black Americans. We all know that Black History is American History and something that should be studied throughout the year but I view this time as similar to when I go on meditative retreats - it’s time to concentrate our focus on wisdom shared by people who are Black.

My parents worked hard to be sure that I felt a sense of pride in myself not just because I was a good student or a good performer but specifically as it related to who I am as a Black woman and the generations of our family who committed their lives to building something better for their children. Now I’m doing the same with my son and committed to supporting him in celebrating the fullness of who he is and the inherent blessings he is here to manifest in his life and in the world.

I’m happy to be a part of the African American Wisdom Summit and to be sharing it with all of you.
 

Nadirah Adeye is the Faculty Relations Manager with The Shift Network.