Wellesley Racial Justice Initiative

Giving Tuesday 2025: Practicing Joy to Build Power and Abundance
2025-12-03 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Online via Zoom
Wednesday, December 3
7:30pm-8:30pm ET
Via Zoom
Free
This November we’re entering a holiday season in which many of us, or our friends, neighbors, and community members are facing financial insecurity, general instability, and a lack of physical safety. The problems of today can feel so overwhelming that paralysis and hopelessness may set in. As a respite, WRJI is offering this free special event focused on practicing joy to build power and abundance, led by Mijha Godfrey ’98.
Joy is as important as determination and dedication to our work because without it we can burn out and become unable to keep up the fight for justice and equity. We call on you to come together with your siblings in community to build on what’s good. Come share joy to fuel your tank and to empower yourself — not just to weather what’s to come but to create a better future.
Whether you donate or not, all are welcome!
The Zoom link will be sent in advance of the event.

Storytelling for Change
2025-12-07 16:00 - 17:00 | Online via Zoom
If you are a parent, grandparent, caregiver, or individual who works with kids, this dynamic workshop is for you! “Storytelling for Change” is a 60-minute interactive session where parents and educators discover how to use children’s literature to celebrate diversity, build empathy, and spark critical thinking. Participants come away with joyful, practical tools they can use right away.
Led by Mijha Godfrey ’98, the founder of Jambo Books, a children’s book subscription service that celebrates diverse stories and leader of Jambo Together, a community for parents and educators committed to raising inclusive, confident and justice-minded children.
Zoom link will be sent before the event.

Anti-racism Action Network Kickoff
2026-01-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Online via Zoom
Ready to turn inspiration into action? You are invited to our official Anti-racism Action Network Kickoff!
Monday, January 26
7pm – 8:30pm EST
Via Zoom
Free
This 90-minute virtual gathering is designed to get you connected and working immediately:

Find Your Place: Hear an uplifting message from Cathryn Stout, ‘03.
Try Out a Collective: Jump into a breakout room to explore a collective of interest and contribute to its immediate plans—no commitment required.
Connect Joyfully: Participate in a “Joy Show & Tell” activity to recharge your spirit and connect with fellow alums. Led by Mijha Butcher Godfrey ’98.

Advance registration is required. The Zoom link will be sent in advance of the meeting. Looking forward to seeing you!

WRJI Movie Night: “Love, Brooklyn”
2026-02-08 17:00 - 20:00 | Online via Zoom
If you missed this gem of a film in the theaters in 2025 then take a break, grab some snacks, and come see it with us! “Love, Brooklyn” interweaves the narratives of three longtime Brooklynites as they navigate love, friendship, and careers amidst the backdrop of a changing and gentrifying city. This is the feature film debut of Black, female director Rachael Holder whose work “brings a distinctly intimate and lived-in perspective to modern romance and urban life in New York City.”
We will watch the film together (1 hr, 37 mins) and then discuss. Looking forward to seeing you.
Zoom details will be sent prior to the scheduled event.

Podcast Club: “Break the Rules! How Audacity Levels Up Life and Career”
2026-03-15 17:00 - 18:00 | Online via Zoom
Have you ever heard of, or been to, a Podcast Club? If this is new to you, then great – it’s a new event for us too! A Podcast Club is just like a Book Club, but instead of reading a book before participating, you listen to a podcast.
This spring’s Podcast Club features the podcast “Dipped with Sweet and Hot” co-hosted by WRJI volunteer Hollee Mangrum-Willis ‘04 with her friend Melanie Loren. These two share southside-of-Chicago roots and they breakdown the world in a hilarious and thought-provoking fashion, from a Black female perspective.
Grab the beverage and snacks of your choice and join us to discuss the episode titled “Break the Rules! How Audacity Levels Up Life and Career,” (Season 3, Episode 5, 52 mins). This episode features actor, director, and advocate Tiffany Yvonne Cox of Hulu’s drama series “Reasonable Doubt.” Tiffany spills about how breaking the rules and owning your audacity can flip challenges into big wins. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pocketcasts or look for their podcast on your favorite platform.
Advanced registration is required. The Zoom link will be sent before the event.

Movie Night: “Mo Amer: The Vagabond”
2026-04-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Online via Zoom
In honor of National Arab American Heritage Month, please join WRJI for a viewing and discussion of Mo Amer’s comedy special “The Vagabond”. In this performance Amer talks about his experiences as a Palestinian refugee who was born in Kuwait, fled with his mother and siblings at the age of nine during the Gulf War, and ended up in Houston Texas. Throughout this special Amer draws from his ethnic and family background to discuss issues related to religion, terrorism, race, and contemporary politics.
His comedy has been featured in sold-out shows worldwide, including venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo, and Shrine Auditorium. He has appeared on television and radio, including NPR, BBC, and CNN.
We’ll watch the film together; followed by a discussion facilitated by Tyree Oredein ’98 and Natasha Chang ’93.
The Zoom link will be sent before the event. Looking forward to seeing you!

Celebrating Activism & Creating Hope with the WRJI Anti-racism Action Network
2026-05-22 08:00 - 17:00
Please join us for a bite to eat as we celebrate our community and learn more about how you can take action steps designed to effectuate change TODAY!
WRJI invites you to join our Anti-racism Action Network teams in an afternoon session designed to celebrate alums, anti-racism work, anti-racism workers and WRJI. This session will be an opportunity to celebrate you, to learn more about how you can take action against the subjugation of People of the Global Majority (PGM), and to partner with other alums to bolster your commitment to anti-racism work. And just to have some FUN!
Friday, May 22
Location and Time TBD
In-person
Free
Some of the Action Network cohorts that are taking action now include – Raising Anti-Racist Children, Criminal Justice, Voting Rights, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Some of the Action Network aspirations include – Amplify alums’ anti-racism work, Disseminating best practices and actions, Supporting alums under siege and anti-racism activists, and Identifying ways alums can take action to effectuate change NOW!
Reserve your spot here below.
Want to learn more, but can’t attend this session? Visit our website for more information.

Community-Driven Change for Anti-racism Leaders: An Interactive Discussion with Shara Watkins '06
2026-05-23 13:30 - 14:30 | Brackett Room, Clapp Library, 106 Central St, Wellesley, MA, 02481, United States
Please join us for a unique, engaging, and provocative conversation with distinguished speaker Shara Watkins ’06. She is known for her work fighting racism and white supremacy in unique ways. As a social impact leader and Chief Operating Officer, Shara’s work helps big ideas move from whiteboards to measurable impact.
Our program will include an expert interview with Shara by a WRJI leader, followed by an interactive work session. You will be able to share responses and ideas that empower you to create and enhance your anti-racism action plans.
Saturday, May 23
1:30pm – 2:30pm EDT
Brackett Room, Clapp Library
All alums can benefit from this event, regardless of how you identify and/or your stage of learning about race and racism. You will be challenged, respected and supported in your anti-racism journey, even as you advance the growth of others.
Registration is suggested. It helps us plan for seating and refreshments.

Meet our speaker
Shara Watkins ‘06 is a social impact leader, strategist, and organizational operator whose work focuses on translating big ideas into measurable impact. She currently serves as COO at Each Day Communications, where she partners with mission-driven organizations, foundations, and public sector leaders to help great organizations tell human-centered stories.
Prior to her work in communications and strategy, Shara began her career in education and has spent nearly two decades working at the intersection of community engagement, philanthropy, and social impact. She has led large-scale programs and partnerships focused on educational access, racial equity, and community investment, and is known for building strong cross-sector collaborations that move ideas from vision to action.
Outside of her professional work, Shara is a writer and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. She is the founder of Rose + Jade, a curated gifting company focused on meaningful products for families, and is currently working on a memoir exploring motherhood, identity, and healing. She is the proud mother of two young daughters.
