Yavilah McCoy’s “Exploring Identity and Intersectional Movement Building” Allyship Facilitation Event
In response to our Black and Jewish students’ request for student-centered events that could provide them with the skills needed to become effective allies, the Center welcomed Yavilah McCoy on Thursday, October 7, 2021, who led a workshop on Jews, Race, and Intersectional Solidarity.
In this 90-minute free workshop open to all Boston University students, diversity educator and facilitator Yavilah McCoy introduced students to the key concepts of allyship and moderated difficult conversations on a range of topics, including Jews in America, and race, intersectionality, advocacy, and antisemitism.
Students in attendance gained a deeper understanding of the meaning of effective allyship and acquired the skills needed to support marginalized groups. In a blog post reflecting on what she learned from McCoy’s workshop, Boston University student Ayanna Moise wrote: “Allyship is about action and behavior, and to be accountable means that you have your whole life to act as an ally.”
About the Speaker: Yavilah McCoy is an Orthodox Jewish activist, educator, and founder of Ayecha, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for non-white Jews worldwide. McCoy’s mission is to give a voice to diverse Jewish people and produce discussion around how Judaism can be more inclusive in its communities. McCoy works in multi-faith communities and partners with Jewish groups to engage diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.