The holiday season brings families, friends, and colleagues together for joy and connection … and often into conversations or moments where racism, bias, or harm interrupt the festivities.
While these moments can feel uncomfortable, they also offer powerful opportunities to stand in alignment with our values and disrupt patterns that cause harm.
Interrupting Racism During the Holidays is an interactive workshop designed to support participants in understanding why interrupting matters, what gets in the way, and how to take skillful, grounded action in real time. Through moments for self-reflection and practice, participants will build confidence and clarity around speaking up—whether at the dinner table, during a gathering, or in everyday life.
In this workshop, participants will:
Understand the importance of interrupting racism and how timely action disrupts harm, affirming safety and humanity.
Explore their individual “why,” positionalities, and potential consequences of interrupting—recognizing how identity, relationships, and context inform our choices.
Examine power dynamics that shape when, how, and whether we feel able to intervene.
Learn and practice various interrupting techniques—from gentle naming to boundary-setting, reframing, questioning and direct call-ins/outs.
Grounded in racial equity principles and guided by experienced DEI practitioner and coach, Jamila Thompson, this session creates space for honest conversation, skills-building, and collective support. Participants will leave with increased awareness, practical strategies, and a deeper sense of agency to interrupt racism during the holidays—and beyond.
Facilitator Bio
Born and raised in the South, Jamila Thompson brings a rich experience and passion to her work as a racial equity consultant, facilitator, and coach. With over 15 years of professional experience in the nonprofit and public sectors, Jamila has dedicated her career to fostering inclusive environments and driving systemic change. Jamila's extensive background includes working closely with executive leadership and boards to develop and implement strategic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Her expertise in building and leading cross-departmental teams and managing complex projects have been instrumental in transforming organizational cultures and practices.
Most recently, she was a Co-Director of Racial Equity Training and Consultation at Resolutions Northwest. She currently works as a DEI professional at a state agency developing and leading strategic initiatives and as an independent consultant, providing equity-based facilitation and racial equity coaching for affinity groups, executive leadership and equity committees.
As a facilitator, Jamila is known for her ability to create spaces of care for honest dialogue, allowing participants to engage in critical self-reflection and collective learning. Her coaching approach is rooted in empathy, active listening, and a commitment to helping individuals and teams navigate the complexities of equity work with confidence and compassion. Jamila holds a deep commitment to justice and equity, driven by her own lived experiences and a profound belief in the power of community and collective action.