Workshops

Learn about who Gordon Parks was through thoughtful discussions and activities! Discover about the importance of photography during the Civil Rights Movement! 

What does it mean to "submit" to White societal standards? This interactive discussion-based workshop explores how people of color, historically and currently, have been affected by tokenism, White-washing, internalized racism, and double consciousness through evaluating different scenarios in which these concepts are refelct?

Entertainment media like film and television have long been a popular form of storytelling. But what does POC representation often look like on screen? What effects can positive or negative depictions have on real-world communities? In the Film workshop, participants will receive a short presentation on POC representation. This will be followed by an interactive activity to further illustrate the importance of on-screen portrayal. 

Cook with our guest Jeff Wang, the Chef/Owner of The Yum Dum Food Truck, to learn more about the culture and history of new dishes

Literature provides an opportunity for one to express themselves while also offering a mirror for others to see themselves and their own personal experiences. In Building a Bookshelf, we will dig a little deeper and explore the ways in which literature have impacted our lives and changed them for the better.

Fashion: Understanding how race and fashion coincide! 

Many are familiar with the concept of the Lab or Hyde Park “Bubble”, but what notions is this bubble composed of? . White liberalism, the “social justice warrior”, or those who “don’t see color” are all ideals circulating performative woke culture. This workshop explores what it means to be woke, and what performative activism looks like within Lab and beyond.

This workshop explores how music transcends boundaries, uniting people from diverse backgrounds through its emotional and social impact. Participants delve into examples from various cultures and genres, leaving inspired to harness music's power to foster unity and harmony in their own lives and communities. 

In this workshop, we will explore how race affects athletes in different sports including the NBA/WNBA, NFL, and soccer. Specifically, we will talk through different events like racism after missed penalty kicks, players choosing not to stand for the national anthem, how commentators talk about different athletes, and how athletes have found ways to stand up against racism. 

The intersectionality of being a person of color and an LGBTQ+ individual comes with much dimension, especially as it relates to discrimination and prejudice. In this choice workshop, participants will understand the compounding effects of racism and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment impacting queer people of color, uncovering the social, emotional, and political realities of this experience through a multimedia presentation. This workshop will also include an interactive activity involving research of specific current events and social justice movements today.

Join us as we explore the dynamics of socio-economic status at Lab in this engaging and introspective workshop. Learn and discuss the intersectionalities between race and financial status through interactive activities and insightful discussions.

This workshop will provide an overview of police brutality in Chicago, focusing specifically on the actions of Jon Burge, and examining its current impact.