Our Facilitators

Kimberly Williams Brown
(she/her)

Kimberly Williams Brown is the co-founder and director of the Intergroup Dialogue Collective, a non-profit that uses intergroup dialogue praxis to engage in critical conversations about race and racism. She is an assistant professor at Vassar College in Education, Africana Studies and Women’s Studies. She holds a Ph.D. and a certificate of Advanced Study from Syracuse University in Cultural Foundations of Education and Women and Gender Studies. Her scholarship sits at the intersection of race, gender and migration. She is published in The Oxford handbook for Educational Research; Women’s Study anthology; American Indian Cultural and Research Journal (AICRJ); and the Handbook of Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers through the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Capria Berry
(they/them)

Capria Berry is passionate about facilitating connections across differences with students of all ages. Capria has nearly a decade of experience leading and collaborating on efforts related to topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The most rewarding part of their work as an educator is witnessing participants’ development over time. Capria works full-time as a higher education administrator in NYC. They completed a BA in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University. Capria is also pursuing a Ph.D. with a focus on queer and trans college students of color with disabilities.

Antonella DeCicci
[they/them and she/her]

Antonella DeCicci is a researcher, writer and facilitator with a background in storytelling, Restorative Practices, and Intergroup Dialogue. Antonella currently works on the Partnerships team at Protect Democracy. Antonella graduated from Vassar College with a BA in American Studies. They have also completed a graduate certificate in Restorative Practices, and are a certified trainer for the IIRP's Introduction to Restorative Practices and Using Circles Effectively workshops. Since then, Antonella has worked a number of research and development jobs in the non-profit and political campaign worlds. She recently spent a year teaching English language and American culture to high school students in Southern Italy on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant. Antonella is an avid journaler, reader, and runner, and can often be found singing and dancing around the kitchen while cooking.

Atiya McGhee
(they/them/theirs)

Atiya McGhee (they/them/theirs) is a doctoral student in the Cultural Foundations of Education program at Syracuse University and is pursuing a certificate of advanced study (CAS) in Women’s and Gender Studies. Prior to Syracuse Atiya worked in Residential Life at several higher education institutions for 5+ years. Atiya holds a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont and a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Literature with a minor in psychology from Wheaton College in Norton, MA.

Kenya Strong
(she/her)

I am a Cultural Consciousness and Racial Literacy facilitator with several organizations across the country, and I am carrying a combined grade 7/8 in a homeschooling enrichment program. I also support educators navigate these unprecedented times as a personal life and wellness coach. As an educator and as a parent, I recognize the prickly nature of talking about diversity, particularly racial diversity, no matter who or where you are on the color or culture spectrum. It’s important that people feel more confident and courageous when talking about diversity of all kinds, and I am driven to create a space where people can begin moving through the inner work with mindfulness, heartfulness, and compassion. In addition to holding a Master’s degree in Education, I also hold an eclectic collection of other certifications to support the growth and development of students and professionals around the country.

Sarah Moss Yanuck
(she/her & ze/zir)

Sarah Moss (she/her & ze/zir) is a queer, white Jew, a K-12 teacher, and a facilitator. She does this work because ze believes in the joy, connection, creativity, and healing that are possible in our bodies, spirits, and communities when we embody love and honesty in our relationships. Ze believes that racial literacy and dialogue skills can support us in game-changing ways as we work to cultivate racial justice in our schools and lives. She holds a BA from Vassar College and currently lives in Lenapehoking in the city of Philadelphia. According to her 6th-grade students, Sarah Moss sings frequently and always wears warm sweaters.

Robin Mallison Alpern
(she/her)

Robin Mallison Alpern is a white cis-gender woman raised in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). She has had a lifelong concern for racial justice and equity. She works with anti-racism organizations in her hometown and among Quakers, including cross-racial groups and white caucus groups. Her anti-racist vision and practice have been informed by a multitude of mentors and leaders, both white and of color. As Director of Training at the Center for the Study of White American Culture (CSWAC), Robin co-designed and co-leads a series of workshops on What White People Can Do About Racism. She has co-presented workshops at the annual White Privilege Conference and has been a guest speaker at events and podcasts. Robin’s focus is on engaging white people in work for racial justice and equity.

As Director of Training at the Center for the Study of White American Culture (CSWAC), Robin co-designed and co-leads a series of workshops on What White People Can Do About Racism. She has co-presented workshops at the annual White Privilege Conference and has been a guest speaker at events and podcasts. Robin’s focus is on engaging white people in work for racial justice and equity.

Robin has raised four anti-racist white children who teach her every day how to make the world a better place.

Jordan Margolis
(he/him)

Jordan Margolis (pronouns: he/him) is a cis-hetero white male father and husband who grew up on ancestral lands of the Pomo and is currently living on ancestral lands of the Wecquaesgeek and Wappinger people. He received his foundational antiracist community organizing education from The People’s Institute for Survival & Beyond and has been a co-convener of the PISAB-affiliated white antiracist affinity space European Dissent Hudson Valley.

Learning from colleagues over a career spanning child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, and public health, Jordan has organized within educational, municipal, and non-profit institutions to collaboratively design, implement, and evaluate anti-oppressive initiatives. In multiracial and multi-gender collectivity, with fellow white people, and in reflective solitude, Jordan is passionate about nurturing the culture, leadership, and accountability processes that promote and sustain structural transformation and justice.

Jordan loves dancing, gardening, cooking, playing music with family and friends, and bringing children and elders together.

Masumi Hayashi-Smith (They/them & She/her)

Masumi Hayashi-Smith (they/she) is a biracial facilitator and music teacher originally from Coast Salish land in Tacoma, Washington. With training in Kodaly pedagogy (M.M.), Orff Schulwerk, and Waldorf approaches to music teaching, Masumi is active in conversations around conscientious use of materials, culturally responsive teaching, and relationships with culture bearers. In undergrad, Masumi concentrated in Africana studies, and then with a Fulbright fellowship, researched the political aspects of history education in post-war Sri Lanka. Currently Masumi teaches with RISE for Racial Justice, Intergroup Dialogue Collective, Holy Names University, and Alma partners. They are also a music director for Thrive Choir.

Luis Inoa
(he/him)

Luis Jimenez Inoa is currently the Associate Dean of the College, for Student Living and Wellness at Vassar College. He earned his bachelor's in Black Studies from SUNY New Paltz, his master's in Educational and Psychological Development from Boston College, and his Ph.D. in the Educational Policy Leadership program at the University at Albany, SUNY. His research focuses on the Latinx community and athletics. Luis is also the creator of English Tongue-Latinx Soul. The one-person performance uses a combination of storytelling, poetry, music, and photography.

At his core, the lesson from his grandmother, mother, and generations of black feminists, have stuck with him- to always make room at the table for anyone that crosses the threshold of his professional or personal home.

Maritza Lopez Del Razo
(She/her)

Maritza López Del Razo arrived in the Hudson Valley in 2017 and is originally from California’s San Joaquin Valley where she labored as the third generation of farmworkers. Maritza received an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from Modesto Jr. College and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Ethnic Studies from the University of California at Berkeley. After ten years in various non-profit organizations, Maritza obtained a Master's in Education (M.Ed.) from the University of California at Los Angeles where she also became a facilitator of Intergroup Dialogue. Maritza is the host of the Spanish radio column Hablando de Corazón: Lo Que No Nos Contaron - A Heart to Heart: What They Didn't Tell Us, a bi-weekly segment to air the U.S. history that we didn't learn about in school and examine the legacy of racism - a heart to heart, to dismantle racism and envision a way forward.

Nama Khalil
(she/hers)

Nama Khalil (she/hers) is a mother-scholar and antiracism educator. She is a faculty member at Columbus College of Art and Design where she teaches cultural, and media anthropology courses. Nama’s work highlights the intersections of expressive culture and social justice, specifically the ways young people use alternative media and storytelling to impact social change. In the mornings you will find Nama homeschooling her two young children, while playing catch up in the evenings. She also loves Zumba, hiking, and snuggling under a blanket with a book and a cup of chai.

Ridvan Foxhall
(she/her)

Ridvan Foxhall is an artist, educator, and parenting coach. She has over 20 years of experience advancing education, the arts, and racial healing. She is the Founder and Executive Director of New Era Creative Space, a non-profit organization that employs a uniquely positive approach to community organizing, staff development, and conflict resolution. She derives joy from the arts, hiking, and family. Her daily source of inspiration comes from the writings of the Baha’i Faith.