TEDxFSCJWomen: Showing up – TEDWomen2018 Simulcast + Panel
Women the world over are challenging the status quo—they’re rising up, breaking out, and pushing boundaries.
Join TEDxFSCJWomen for a simulcast event—featuring such luminaries as Tarana Burke and Dolores Huerta direct from the TEDWomen2018 conference in Palm Springs! 97.9 KISSFM’s Catalina Alers-Alers will emcee this simulcast event.
Then join Melissa Ross, host of WJCT’s First Coast Connect, as she moderates a local panel of experts, who will address the theme, “Speak out!,” and explore issues of fear, sexual violence, and survival. Panelists include:
Vicky Basra, Senior Vice President, Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center
Robin Graber, Rape Recovery Team Programs Director, Women’s Center of Jacksonville
Kristin Keen, Founder and President, Rethreaded
Paige Mahogany Parks, Founder, T.A.P. Transgender Awareness Project
Emily Rokosch, Director of Operations, JASMYN
Tickets are free and open to the public, but all attendees must register.
Program
3:30-4 p.m.: Check-in & Networking
4-5:30 p.m.: Simulcast – Showing up
5:30-6 p.m.: Refreshments & Networking
6-7:30 p.m.: Live local panel – Speak out!
Inside our welcome and registration atrium, speak with representatives from local nonprofits and women-centered organizations, including the Women’s Center of Jacksonville; Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center; Babes Who Hustle; FSCJ Student Engagement – Diversity & Social Change; Hubbard House; Jewish Family & Community Services; Sulzbacher Center; Women Empowering Women; and Women Writing for a Change.
Arrive early so you can meet new people, share ideas, and sample our food and refreshments!
Speakers
Vicky Basra
Vicky manages the development and implementation of model programs and community organizing for the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center. Assisting with the development and support of new and innovative programs and community engagement, Vicky brings with her more than 18 years’ experience working with girls and young women impacted by trauma. Vicky helped to develop and implement a violence against women prevention program at Vanderbilt University. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, a degree in Social Work from Ryerson Polytechnic University and her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee.
Robin Graber
Robin is the Rape Recovery Team Program Director at the Women's Center of Jacksonville (WCJ). After beginning his career at the WCJ as an intern in 2012, Robin quickly rose through the ranks. Robin has worked with over 300 survivors of sexual violence and provided more than 400 training sessions on topics ranging from trauma-informed care, to consent, to self-care and burnout. In his current position, he spends most of his time managing grants, providing training to the community and supervising a team of advocates and prevention staff. Robin received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections from the University of North Florida.
Kristin Keen
Kristin lived for five years in Kolkata, India, where she co-founded Sari Bari, a thriving business that gives survivors of human trafficking a way out of exploitation through employment. Sari Bari now employs more than 120 women. Upon her return to Jacksonville, Kristin started forming relationships with women on the street; it was then that she realized the problem of human trafficking was flourishing in her own city. In response, Kirstin founded Rethreaded. Rethreaded is a safe, supportive work environment where women can start a new career while experiencing continued healing through community. When not at Rethreaded, Kristin is biking or swimming in the ocean at sunrise.
Paige Mahogany Parks
Paige Mahogany-Parks is from Oklahoma City. She has been a transgender activist in the LGBT community for 36 years. She received the Dean Mckeller outstanding transgender of the year award in 2005 for her work with the hurricane Katrina LGBT community. She has been featured on NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, Houston Chronicle, Houston Voice, and OutSmart magazine. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she continues her work as the Director of the Transgender Awareness Project and writer. Check out her book Lady Paradox: Flawless Imperfection.
Emily Rokosch
Emily Rokosch has been working with, supporting and advocating for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community for 15 years. Emily earned her Master of Education with a focus on mental health counseling from the University of North Florida. After graduating in 2006, she served as the founding Coordinator of UNF’s LGBT Resource Center where she worked to create a safe space and welcoming learning environment for all students. Emily currently serves as the Director of Operations at JASMYN, Jacksonville’s LGBT non-profit center serving youth 13-29.
Hosts
Catalina Alers-Alers
Catalina Alers-Alers is the afternoon host on 97.9 KISSFM, host of the “But First, Brunch” podcast and TV correspondent for JTA's Around Town series on Making Moves. Growing up in Orange Park and graduating from the University of North Florida, Catalina has lived in Jacksonville for more than 20 years. A conversation with Catalina is a healthy dose of real talk on social equality, pop culture and laughs till you cry.
Melissa Ross
Melissa Ross is the host and producer of WJCT’s “First Coast Connect,” the Jacksonville NPR/PBS station’s flagship local call-in public affairs radio program. The show has won five national awards from Public Radio News Directors Inc. and has been honored multiple times as Best Local Radio Show by Folio Weekly’s “Best of Jax” readers’ poll. Melissa recently started co-hosting the new, statewide call-in show, “The Florida Roundup,” that airs each Friday. With over 20 years of experience in broadcasting, Melissa has won four Emmys for news, feature and documentary reporting. Married with two children, Melissa is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism/Communications.
Musical Curator
Adrian Kennedy
Adrian is a singer/songwriter from Jacksonville. She will be debuting her first video, “Woodland Coffin,” in December. Her music can be best described as, “music to sing by the light of a bonfire.” In addition to her professional work, Adrian is always looking for fulfilling volunteer opportunities. She has been involved with local organization SongBook and most recently began working with Women Empowering Women.
