Black Feminism, Womanism, & Everyday Resistance - 11/2/2020

Conversation Overview

Join Amiri Mahnzili & Staci Mitchell for a discussion of Black Feminism, Womanism, & Everyday Resistance.

Amiri Mahnzili is Professor of Pan Afrikan Studies at California State University Los Angeles, currently pursuing a PhD in Cultural studies with a certificate in Africana studies at Claremont Graduate University. Research focuses on Ante-Modernity Indigenous Afrikan Epistemologies, Critical Pedagogy, Anti-Colonial Theory, and Pan-Africanism and the study of the African Diaspora. Strong education professional with a Master of Education - M. Ed. focused in Interdisciplinary Studies (Education-Ethnic Studies) from California State University-Los Angeles. Conductor of Rites-of-Passage Manhood training for young men ages 10-17, through the Akoma Unity Center in San Bernardino CA and TEACH Academy of Technology Junior High School in Los Angeles, CA.

Professionally, Staci Mitchell is a professor of Pan-African Studies, Theatre Practitioner, Performance Artist & Yoga Teacher. Born & raised in LA, Staci holds her BA in Theatre Arts & Dance and a MA in Theatre with a research focus on womanism and Black feminine identity. She is also responsible for creating and advocating for the first yoga class offered through a Pan-African & Womanist lens on the campus of Cal State LA: Yoga; Radical Healing Traditions & Practices. Ms. Mitchell has performed on the Los Angeles stage, and featured in independent film, television, as a voiceover artist, audiobook narrator, poet, an orator, and performance artist. Most recently, Staci wrote, directed, and co-produced the play: Holy, Seductive Dance; based on the book Anthills of the Savannah, by Chinua Achebe. Professor Staci Mitchell’s scholarship & praxis is balanced on the complexities of Black women’s identities and their performances, both formal and informal practices. As a yoga teacher & student, Staci explores this practice as founder of Hieroglyphics Yoga: a Black-woman-rooted space to heal & grow, a sacred space to serve and cultivate optimistic warrior spirits of justice & peace.