Building Intergenerational Community

This fall, Tapestry and the Alumnae/i Relations Office launched two new virtual series to provide space for intergenerational conversations and connections for self-identified Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), within the larger Alumnae/i network. The Take a Break and Casual Corner series invite alumnae/i to hear from their peers about their personal and professional pursuits. Please visit the Tapestry website to learn more about our past programming.

Michelle Chen ’94 serves as general counsel to the City of Seattle Mayor’s Office and advises the Mayor’s Office staff and cabinet members on policy-making and municipal law. She discussed navigating a career in government, creating professional connections, and why she has joined identitybased professional groups.

Aarathi Haig ’99, a lawyer and artist, hosted a digital show of her works and shared how she has used art as her creative outlet. “I create art to navigate a traumatic past and investigate how my present moment looks and feels. ... Art communicates with me in a way that words never could.”

Allegra Massaro '15, co-founder of Fuel the People (a nonprofit that provides nourishment to protestors on the front lines), discussed how food is a powerful tool that has always been central to resistance, and is also a love language and form of compassion. During the break, she shared how she has been inspired by the generations of unsung Black women whose traditions of opening their kitchens has helped to feed and sustain the revolution.

Mia Parker '87, a regulatory and compliance officer at a Fortune 500 company, discussed how she found mentors, moved up the professional ladder, navigated corporate culture, and supported other BIPOC professionals.

Jennifer Wilks '95 is an associate professor of English and African and African diaspora studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where she also serves as director of the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies. At her talk, she discussed her career in higher education, how she navigated the tenure track, as well as how she has built a professional network.

Thank you to all the alumnae/i who volunteered to present. If you are interested in learning more about this program and how you can participate, please contact Gabrielle Gary, associate director of affinity programming.