OUR STORY
The stories we tell ourselves and each other have
rippling effects beyond our own circles.
Moved By
Black Lives Matter
Moved by the Black Lives Matter protests and the death of George Floyd, she felt a need to help shift social narratives to be more inclusive for her son and those who look like her.
Our Story Begins in
Lagos, Nigeria...
Our story starts with a little girl born in Lagos,
Nigeria
Inaccurate Social
Narratives
Black Lives Matter. But not all Black Lives are the same. Black identity is not monolithic, but just as wide-ranging, nuanced and varied as the Asians, the Caucasians, or the
Indigenous Peoples.
Throughout
Human History
Throughout human history, the stories of people with lighter skin, color or race have dominated Western history, religion, commerce and education in different parts of the world. Yet there are still many stories of people with different skin, color or race who have not been heard.
This Incomplete
Understanding Of Huemanity
Perpetuates social inequalities, generational traumas,
continuing the cycles of oppression and systemic
exploitation of different groups of people to
this day.
Our Own Cultural Stories
Though we know that these gaps exist, many of us are not aware of our own cultural stories or even the
narratives that feed our implicit biases. Most of us have no life experience befriending people outside our family networks or “cultural tribe,” be it ethnic,
religious, or even recreational.
Dealing With Implicit Bias
Living in segregated neighborhoods, working in
cultural silos, we have few opportunities to cross
over and know people different from ourselves.
At worst, this continues negative social attitudes
towards dark skinned people that have led to
anti-black bias and violence in many of our
communities.
The Birth Of AWỌ
In response to these conscious and unconscious
personal and systemic injustices, AWỌ was born.
AWỌ in Nigeria is a word that means "skin" and
also "color."
More Inclusion. More
Representation
Learning from the experiences and stories of people different from ourselves is critical to a more holistic perspective and therefore, more diversity and inclusion.
Join us as we journey to complete the
whole story of our Huemanity.
What’s Your Story?
Stay updated with AWỌ’s upcoming events, workshops, celebrations and more.
Services
Other Links
Contact us
15732 Los Gatos Blvd. #305
Los Gatos, CA 95032
info@awocenter.org
All Rights Reserved
