Session 1C: Virtual Chat & Chew: Radical Self-Care for BIPOC Information Professionals
Event Type
Presentation
Location
U-Hall Classroom 3304
Track
Self-Care
Start Date
21-7-2023 11:15 AM
End Date
21-7-2023 12:15 PM
Description
In her book, A Burst of Light and Other Essays (1988), Audre Lord says, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” This quote captures the African American Medical Librarians Alliance (AAMLA) Caucus’ motivation for establishing the “Chat and Chew” initiative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AAMLA members formed a weekly virtual forum known as the “Chat & Chew.” These weekly check-ins aimed to build community and provide support amidst unprecedented health crises adversely affecting Black Americans, including the coronavirus pandemic and the long-standing issue of police killings and brutality. In coming together for these weekly check-ins, group participants benefited by actively practicing self-care and exchanging ideas and information with colleagues nationwide. Each gathering incorporated various presentations and discussions, including topics related to self-care and wellness, microaggressions and stigmatization in the workplace, virtual technologies, plant care, book discussions, and opportunities to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Presenters will share lessons learned and successes for member engagement and best practices that made the program sustainable throughout 2020 until the present day.
Outcomes
By the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the benefits of creating a virtual community for self-care and wellbeing
- Identify best practices they may use to create a similar virtual support network.
- Describe helpful resources and practical strategies for integrating self-care and well-being into their daily lives.
Session 1C: Virtual Chat & Chew: Radical Self-Care for BIPOC Information Professionals
U-Hall Classroom 3304
In her book, A Burst of Light and Other Essays (1988), Audre Lord says, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” This quote captures the African American Medical Librarians Alliance (AAMLA) Caucus’ motivation for establishing the “Chat and Chew” initiative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AAMLA members formed a weekly virtual forum known as the “Chat & Chew.” These weekly check-ins aimed to build community and provide support amidst unprecedented health crises adversely affecting Black Americans, including the coronavirus pandemic and the long-standing issue of police killings and brutality. In coming together for these weekly check-ins, group participants benefited by actively practicing self-care and exchanging ideas and information with colleagues nationwide. Each gathering incorporated various presentations and discussions, including topics related to self-care and wellness, microaggressions and stigmatization in the workplace, virtual technologies, plant care, book discussions, and opportunities to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Presenters will share lessons learned and successes for member engagement and best practices that made the program sustainable throughout 2020 until the present day.
Outcomes
By the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the benefits of creating a virtual community for self-care and wellbeing
- Identify best practices they may use to create a similar virtual support network.
- Describe helpful resources and practical strategies for integrating self-care and well-being into their daily lives.
