Episode 6: From Nebraska to West Oakland, Confronting Anti-Blackness & Healing Centered Youth Engagement

Adele and Danielle are joined by community advocate Chris Nguon who shares an unexpected heart-wrenching story about his first few days of life and his family’s connection to Mc Donald’s. Chris’ personal story takes us from Nebraska all the way to West Oakland where he grew up. He shares intimately about the challenges of unpacking his relationships with his refugee parents to help heal cycles of intergenerational trauma. As a Cambodian man, Chris talks about navigating the reality of anti-Blackness within himself and the community at large to build cross-cultural solidarity in West Oakland neighborhoods. He also introduces the framework of “healing centered engagement” as an approach to supporting the flourishing of young people on their own life journeys. At the end of the show, Chris introduces a delightful tea meditation to demonstrate the interconnection of tea ritual between all cultures. 

Show Notes: 

• Chris Nguon, MSW is an Oakland native and graduate of the University of California-Berkeley. An avid learner and community advocate, Chris, whose family is from Cambodia, has held numerous community-based roles as a public service professional, spanning commitments in elementary schools, affordable housing, recreational centers, residential services, and family resource centers throughout various neighborhoods in West Oakland. Chris firmly believes that healing centered engagement, cultural competency, and centering community are the foundational hallmarks of impactful work.
• Flourish Agenda (@flourishagenda) - Healing is the most radical act in social justice because it confirms our right to be well.
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