Uncategorized – Page 2 – Sapna Strategies

Dear White People (Who Want to Support BIPOC Colleagues at Work)

February 1, 2024May 30, 2020 by sapnasopori

There is so much pain and suffering in our country right now, especially in BIPOC communities. It pervades all aspects of our daily lives, including work. For those of us fortunate to still be employed, we spend most of our waking hours doing our jobs. And, there is an unspoken and unrealistic expectation that we draw a curtain between the work that we are doing and the lives we are living. The pervasiveness of racism can make this separation harder to maintain for BIPOC than white folks. Many BIPOC colleagues of mine report feeling feeling tired, overwhelmed, exhausted, scared, frustrated…and this can impact focus and productivity at work.

Overstretched: Finding the Right Fit for Your Racial Equity Rubber Band

February 1, 2024May 12, 2020 by sapnasopori

Various color and size rubber bands on a light blue background

The other day, I was trying to wrap a rubber band around a box that was just too big for the band. I stretched it and stretched it and sure enough, it snapped. But, for some reason, I started crying. It wasn’t because the sound scared me or I hurt myself; rather, I was sad because like that overstretched rubber band, I have been feeling so overstretched lately, too.

Who’s Setting Your DEI Pace? Part II: An Interview with Principal Angela Sheffey-Bogan

February 1, 2024March 6, 2020 by sapnasopori

Angela Sheffey-Bogan is a veteran public school educator and Principal of Sartori Elementary School, an innovative STEM school in Renton. Sartori is Angela’s pride and joy and she takes very seriously her responsibility and privilege to teach a student body composed predominantly of low-income students of color.

Who’s Setting Your DEI Pace?

February 1, 2024January 14, 2020 by sapnasopori

Women at a protest holding signs that read "demilitarize the police" and "black lives matter"

I consider myself in pretty good shape. I work out a few times a week on the treadmill or in a power-stretching class (I can refuse to call it “yoga”). But the other day, I was helping a friend out at his winery and I learned how not in shape I am.

Okay, Ladies, Now Let’s Get INFORMATION! –  Resources for Womxn in Business

February 1, 2024December 1, 2019 by sapnasopori

Three pairs of shoes - one lavender and white, one dark brown, and one a lighter brown and green, sitting on a porch.

I have big feet. Always have. Many stores don’t even carry my size (women’s 11), so for most of my life I had to buy men’s shoes instead. This was hard as a kid because my feet had a growth spurt way before my body did.

Tofu, Field Roast, or Soyrizo? Questions for POC in HWLs

February 1, 2024October 31, 2019 by sapnasopori

Three slices of tofu on a round black plate with various colored bell peppers in the background.

I’m a vegetarian, so I’m always on the hunt (pun intended) for plant-based protein sources. I use tofu when I want to really taste the ingredients of a marinade or allow the other flavors to shine, since tofu does a great job of carrying whatever else is around it. When I use Soyrizo (a vegetarian chorizo), I know that everything else in the dish will bow to its intense flavor. But, when I want to create a balanced flavor profile, I use Field Roast because it carries its own flavor while allowing the rest of the ingredients to gently follow and be amplified in turn.

Let’s Make Greta Proud: Reforming Environmental Education for Adults

February 1, 2024October 5, 2019 by sapnasopori

A large crowd of protestors holding signs with Greta Thunberg focused on in the middle.

I spent most of my career in environmental education (EE) for youth. For 2 decades, I worked with and for kids of all ages in a variety of communities and organizations. I even went back to school to learn how to do all this better.

Leader Highlight: Marcos Trinidad, Center Director of the Audubon Center at Debs Park

February 1, 2024October 4, 2019 by sapnasopori

Image of Marcos Trinidad leaning against a white wall wearing a blue shirt.

Though it may feel overwhelming, there are EE nonprofits that are reforming adult education, and we can learn from them. Marcos Trinidad, Center Director of the Audubon Center at Debs Park in LA, has reformed his adult education programs by centering his community’s experience, which is also his own experience. He was born and raised in Highland Park, where the Debs Center is located.