When We Gather: Reflections on Creating BIPOC Spaces at the 2024 Points of Light Conference
In Voices, author Breauna Dorelus explores the deeply rewarding and unique Points of Light Conference that she and other BIPOC attendees experienced this summer in Houston.
“As soon as I knew I was going to the Points of Light Conference, I also knew that this year some ideas were stirring in me that I wanted to explore,” Dorelus writes. “As an attendee for the past eight years, I’ve had conversations with other Black and Brown Volunteer Leaders who yearned to create spaces where we could share our unique lens of community and what it means to lead individuals in service from our context of culture, lived experience and care practices with each other. We have a unique experience in this sector and it's essential for there to be spaces for us and facilitated by us. I continued to hear: ‘We want to connect.’ ‘I need to know I’m not alone.’”
Dorelus gives a moving account of how BIPOC conference attendees, with the support of Points of Light leadership in partnership with Connecting the Cause, were able to experience spaces of sharing, networking and conversation. As Dorelus writes, “It happened and it was the first-ever gatherings of its kind in this space. This article will share a recap of the intentionality that took place, hear first-hand accounts of what it meant for those who were there, and share reflections from our beautiful time together.”
Faiza Venzant, CVA Temecula, California
Sat, 09/28/2024Ahhh but you had to be there! That's what I've shared with a few people when asked about this year's conference and the community you created.
Breauna, thank you for your leadership in creating so many opportunities for connection and listening and sharing at the conference. For me, it was a feeling of coming home.
Erin Spink, spinktank, Ontario, Canada
Wed, 10/09/2024Thank you Breauna for sharing your, Lacey, Ebony and Judah's experience with this safe space. The smiles in the photos are so big - and at the same time, I can almost 'feel' the relaxation in everyone's body language too.
Corina Sadler, CVA
Sun, 10/13/2024Thank you Breauna for working to share this experience with others by capturing the motivation and fruits of the ending. I hope organizers connect with these recommendations and open spaces for a variety of communities to come together. Some may be afraid to ask, thank you for creating the vision and making it a reality. It was a unique experience that truly made the conference for me.