4th Annual Queer People of Color Conference

The 1st -3rd Annual Queer People of Color Conferences have all taken place at UC Berkeley. Each year it is hosted by different organizations with the theme of the conference changing as well.

The 1st Annual QPOC Conference focused on "Exposing Our Institutionalizations and Challenging Tokenisms". The 2nd Annual QPOC Conference's theme was, "At the Crossroads of Age, Race, and Sexuality". Lastly, the 3rd Annual QPOC Conference's theme was " (re)Generations of Solidarity: Shifting Lenses and Igniting Hearts."

Why was the Queer People of Color Summit started?

To honor the advances made by queer people of color amid various

geopolitical, sociological, and institutional pressures that have

informed our individual consciousnesses and the structures of our

supporting organizations.  The Queer People of Color Leadership Summit

aspired to provide an arena for QPOC, our organizations, and those

invested in our development and proliferation to reignite the

dialogues of what a QPOC identity means, what Queer People of Color

represent, and how Queer People of Color can strategize more

effectively.

What can QPOC gain from coming to the summits and conferences?

By contesting notions of a singular QPOC identity, participants can

expect to explore new methods of negotiating challenges that relate to

our varied experiences.

While the organizing committee of the past and current summits/conference

has extended welcome to all, it hopes participants approach the summit as

an opportunity—not only for those who can rely on their privileges (as varied as they are)

 as assuranceof their agency.

Who were/are responsible  for creating the summit?

The first QPOC Leadership Summit, which took place on April 29, 2006, sprung out of the collaborative efforts and initial conversations between QPOC at SFSU and YQUE at UCB.  La Familia at UCD would also become involved in the planning process and sponsorship of the summit.  SFSU had hoped to host the summit, however  they  were unable to secure a location on campus so UCB offered to host.  The overall goal was to unite the local queer of color orgs/leaders--which is why it was structured in the form of a summit, as opposed to a conference.

What did the agenda look like in terms of guest speakers, entertainment, and workshops?

Celia Herrera Rodriguez (keynote), Dalit Baum (keynote), Coral Lopez (unable to attend), and performances by Chueh Jun-Fung & other local artists. 

What was discussed in the past workshops?

Identity Politics, Institutions and Institutionalizations, Strategic Networking and Organizing and much more. 

~Q&A from UC Berkeley Contacts

 TO VIEW THE FLYERS FROM QPOCC 1-3 CLICK THE LINKS BELOW

QPOCS 2006: Exposing our Institutionalizations and Challenging Tokenisms

QPOCS 2007: At the Crossroads of Age, Race and Sexuality

QPOCS 2008: (re)Generations of Solidarity: Shifting Lenses and Igniting Hearts