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Conversation Overview
Conversation Overview
Messy Conversations continues its celebration of Black History Month with a riveting discussion of feminism through the lens of Black women. Antioch professor LaCoya Gessesse and writer-activist Toni Odom will explore white feminism and African womanism, highlighting distinct historical, cultural, and societal contexts.
This edition of Messy Conversations will be complimented by a special presentation by Broadway actress/writer Lorey Hayes.
Guest Bios
Guest Bios
Toni Odom, Dedicated to harnessing the power of women is a goal Odom has worked to achieve during her career. Her unique background in business and communications has developed her skills and made her a noted speaker, journalist, author,activist and business owner. "My goal in life is to make my people aware of their traditional greatness by empowering them and promoting positive images of every facet of life." Trained in mediation and crisis intervention, she has given seminars on self esteem, race relations, conflict resolution, women's issues and black history. Her communications background spans over thirty years as a reporter, journalist, radio personality and consultant. She is an award winning filmmaker dedicated to portraying positive black images and stories. She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and has held two national offices: Grand Epistoleus (National Historian)) and Editor In Chief of The Aurora (the national magazine). She also served as the Communications Director for the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
LaCoya Katoe Gessesse, MFA is a devoted member of the AULA community. She received her BA in English from Lake Forest College where she focused her studies on African American women writers. Since completing her MFA in Creative Writing, she has held a variety of instruction and support roles at AULA, as well as worked as a non-profit program coordinator, teaching artist, and curriculum developer.
Currently, she serves as Faculty for the Undergraduate Studies Department, an Academic Writing Mentor and Specialist, the Independent Studies Coordinator and Director of the AULA Teaching and Learning Center. Her teaching covers a range of writing, business, and education classes, covering topics such as composition, language, research, literature, and creative writing, as well as workplace communications. LaCoya most enjoys helping AULA students from diverse backgrounds learn to navigate the higher education system.
Lorey Hayes is a noted television, film and stage actress; having starred in leading roles on and off Broadway, in London, England and Regional Theaters with such talent as Kevin Bacon, Samuel L. Jackson, Isiah Washington, Viola Davis, Morgan Freeman, Jimmy Smits, among others.
Recently Hayes starred with internet sensation Tom Katsis (over 500 million hits & counting for “Interview with a Millennial”) in Pat Battistini’s Dignity, gathering worldwide accolades, awards and several Best Actress wins; including Poland. Pat encouraged Hayes to produce and direct The Dragonfly Tale, a short film based on her and Bobby Crear’s full length play – winning over 11 Festival Awards in its short life. www.dragonflythefilm.com.
Featured in Dream Girls with Jamie Foxx, currently stars in A Heart That Forgives on Tubi and has had principal roles in numerous national radio/television/industrials commercials throughout the globe. www.loreyhayesjoyfuljourney.com
Hayes is a multi-award-winning actress, writer, playwright and filmmaker.
We Black Women Spirit Warriors
We Black Women
are Spirit Warriors
Sent here to give
You Life
We, the Great Mothers
The great sisters of the universe
Are not just flesh and blood
We are the jelly of life
Our backs, the bones
The sweet clay
that made you up
Step on the soil
and you walk on us
Plant your seed inside us
and become us
We are Your Spirit
Soaring
Dancing on fire
This time
Spirit that cannot be harnessed
Spirit that cannot be tamed
Spirit that cannot be destroyed
Break us and we mend
Stronger braver bolder
We Spring eternal
Watch us as we rise
high above expectations
Slave ships could not contain us
Thrown overboard
We used our tears
to part the ocean seas
And swim with sharks
to Rescue Our Babies
Drowning in barrels of despair
We could not be stopped
As we used our sweat
to wash backs
Bent from the weight of slavery
We could not be stopped
As we pulled our families up
Mountains of courage
With sheer guts
will and determination
To fight on the battlefield of honor
For freedom
Justice and Salvation
We could not be stopped
We claim our reign
in this den of iniquity
Birthing our off springs
in every corner of the Universe
Harvesting Hope
Rising High
high to touch the hand of God
Breeding Embryos of power
to seed a race, a nation
That will once again Rise Up
To claim their rightful place
Brave, Bold, courageous
daring fighters
Impervious to fear
Inspired by the armor they wear in their hearts
Polished with the Blood of
We Black Women, Spirit Warriors
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Hudson-Weems, Clenora. Africana Womanism: Reclaiming Ourselves. Bedford Publishers, 1993.
A foundational text that outlines the principles of Africana Womanism as a distinct ideology from feminism and Black feminism.
Hudson-Weems, Clenora. Africana-Melanated Womanism: In It Together. African World Press, 2020.
Expands on Africana Womanism, incorporating a global perspective on the struggles of African-descended women.
Kolawole, Mary E. Modupe. Womanism and African Consciousness. Africa World Press, 1997.
Explores the intersection of womanism with African philosophy, culture, and identity.
Examines different forms of feminism in Africa and how they intersect with womanism.
One of the earliest scholarly works defining womanism in the context of African and African American literature.
A political application of Africana Womanist theory, analyzing race and gender in U.S. politics.
Arndt, Susan. African Womanism and Transnational Feminism: Probing Differences and Similarities. Peter Lang, 2002.
A comparative analysis of Africana Womanism and global feminist movements.
Challenges Western feminist frameworks and explores African-centered approaches to gender discourse.
Examines gender flexibility in African societies, providing a historical context for African womanist thought.
Mama, Amina. Women’s Studies and Studies of Women in Africa During the 1990s. CODESRIA, 1996.
A critique of feminist methodologies applied in African contexts, aligning with womanist perspectives.
White feminism : from the Suffragettes to influencers and who they leave behind ; Koa Beck(Author)
"Mainstream feminism has been defined by parameters dictated and sanctioned by the white, middle- to upper-class women they most benefit. In White Feminism, journalist Koa Beck details the conventions that marginalised genders have needed to adopt in order to be recognised and exposes how Black, brown, Indigenous, transgender, disabled and undocumented women have been overlooked in order to champion a different feminist narrative. Combining her quick-witted commentary with methodical historical research, Beck highlights the extent of racial prejudice, elitism and privilege that fuels the dominant feminist discourse. In her wide-ranging analysis, she advocates for a new landscape that accounts for visibility and inclusivity."-- From back cover.
The trouble between us : an uneasy history of white and Black women in the feminist movement ; by Wini Breines
Summary: Focusing on white and black women, this book examines the feminist movement to ask why, given the roots of second wave feminism in the civil rights movement, a racially integrated women's liberation movement didn't develop in the 1960s and 70s in the United States.
Feminist theory : from margin to center ; bell hooks
Summary: This book established bell hooks as one of feminism's most vital and influential voices. A new preface by the author introduces the second edition of this essential classic to a new generation of feminist readers, while reminding seasoned activists of the need for continual, critical reflection. This work is a comprehensive examination of the core issues of sexual politics, including political solidarity among women, men as partners in struggle, and the feminist movement to end violence. Always engaging and frequently provocative, hooks combines an accessible style with critical insight to offer a vision of feminism rooted in compassion, respect, and integrity.
This bridge called my back : writings by radical women of color ; Cherríe Moraga (Editor)Gloria Anzaldúa( Editor)
"Through personal essays, criticism, interviews, testimonials, poetry, and visual art, the collection explores, as coeditor Cherríe Moraga writes, "the complex confluence of identities--race, class, gender, and sexuality--systemic to women of color oppression and liberation."" --Page 4 of cover.
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