The spring 2023 schedule for ACC’s CommuniTEA & Conversation series is out. These gatherings are aimed at supporting our Iranian Riverbats and others in our community with ties to Iran.
Presented by ACC’s Center for Peace & Conflict and the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Center (TRHT), CommuniTEA & Conversation gatherings provide a space to learn more about the challenges our Iranian communities are facing and understand ways in which we can show our support for those who are impacted by current political violence in Iran.
Friday, January 27 | 5:30-7 p.m.
TRHT Center (Highland Campus, Building 4000, Rm. 4.2205)
In this session, participants will have an opportunity to come together and engage in yoga practice for stress reduction. This session will be led by Persian-speaking, Iranian American therapist Geeti Shirazi Mahajan.
Friday, February 24 | 5:30-7 p.m.
TRHT Center (Highland Campus, Building 4000, Rm. 4.2205)
In this session, Iranian poet Roja Chamankar will conduct a reading and poetry workshop for those in attendance.
Monday, March 20 | 6-8 p.m
Student Commons (Highland Campus, Building 4000, Rm. 1000.C)
For our final event in this series, participants will have an opportunity to gather and celebrate the coming of Nowruz, the Iranian new year, which corresponds with the arrival of spring and serves as an eternal symbol of renewal and rebirth. Participants will enjoy a dinner of Persian cuisine and live music and have an opportunity to reflect on their hopes and aspirations for the new year.
Each of the gatherings will feature Persian tea and sweets and facilitated dialogue aimed at processing the collective trauma that is impacting the Iranian community at large.
The first event took place Tuesday, December 6, at the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center and featured musical guest Mohammad Firoozi, an esteemed local Iranian musician.
More information can be found on the Center for Peace & Conflict Studies website.