Nekeisha Alexis-Baker
Graphic Designer and Web Site Specialist, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
RCCongress 2010 Workshop:
Shared Voices: Communicating in Anti-racist Ways
A native of Trinidad and a long-time resident of New York City, Nekeisha Alexis-Baker received her undergraduate degree from New York University with a concentration in Africana Studies. She then relocated to Elkhart, Ind. where she earned her masters degree in theological studies at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. She served as a Web designer for Mennonite Mission Network for three years before becoming a graphic designer for Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 2007. She has been committed to anti-racist advocacy and education in both of these roles, serving as anti-racism communication trainer for Mission Network staff and member of the Damascus Road Anti-racism Team at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
Shared Voices: Communicating in Anti-racist Ways
As writers, editors, designers and photographers, we communicate effectively when we clearly articulate messages that motivate, inspire, inform and engage our desired audiences. Yet even the most effective communicators can unwittingly perpetuate racism through their words, images and even their productions processes.
In this workshop, Nekeisha Alexis-Baker and Ryan Miller will describe their experience of integrating anti-racist principles and practices as members of the Mennonite Mission Network communication team. They will also describe how these methods have begun to impact other Mennonite organizations, especially Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS).
We welcome all who are interested in understanding racial justice as a part of our call as religion communicators.
...anti-racist work involves... standing together with oppressed racilized groups, confronting white privilege wherever we see it, setting up structures and processes in our organizations to avoid perpetuating white racial privilege and people of color taking the lead in challenging their 