REFORMA National Conference – Somos el Cambio – We are the Change

Posted in: Blog

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Somos el Cambio – We are the Change

Yamila El-Khayat, attended the 50^th annual REFORMA National Conference (https://www.reformaconference.org/ )  which took place virtually from November 4^th through the 7^th. In general, this conference has been a platform for professionals to learn and network with professionals interested in serving Latino/Hispanic or Spanish speaking communities. The conference used a platform by the name of “Whova,” to have attendees interact with one another and attend the talks that were going on. It was almost like being in a virtual conference hall walking from room to room listening to the various speakers and running into colleagues on the way.

Several interesting programs were offered at this conference, ranging from feminist/ inclusivity approaches, to culturally relevant programming and changing the color of leadership. One of the keynote speakers, Mr. David Bowles, touched us deeply as he discussed his work as an activist, writer and professor working to change the long-lasting effect of systematic approaches by strengthening solidarity and helping change some of the backlash that has come of stopping communist CRT rhetoric. He mentioned some of the hard-won victories that have been defeated marking authentic representation regardless of the political upheaval that we have lived through. As educators and librarians, we stand in the gap, willing to shield students to keep fighting the good fight, he mentioned.  He said:

“Your work as librarians’ matter because students need librarians and others to guide them. It’s difficult, but you are a hero for getting this work done, given this country is living some of its darkest moments of the past 100 years and we are the light to illuminate the way. Believe in our future generations, we are the CHANGE. We stand at the vanguard and push forward clearing the path that needs to be walked.”

Other sessions discussed the unique approaches taken to plan programming geared towards the Spanish speaking populations. Some even mentioned approaches to change perspective of higher education entities in trying to incorporate and retain minorities in positions of higher-level standing. The conference really left us thinking about the uniqueness of all communities we serve as librarians, and the similarities that exist between many of the “traditionally marginalized” communities of the U.S. This is an opportunity for us to learn from the successful programming and try to implement similar programming with a health literacy focus to engage our minority communities and learn from them but also share our knowledge of health information literacy with them. We have an opportunity to empower our minority communities and really help bridge the literacy gap that exist.

As mentioned on their webpage: “The conference honored the traditions of the last 50 years while inspiring future generations of Reformistas. Our legacy and history will light the path as we continue to enrich library services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.”

 

Yamila M. El-Khayat, MA serves as Communications and Citizen Science Specialist at NNLM (Network of the National Library of Medicine) Region 4. She has a passion for health information and working with all communities in particular traditionally marginalized communities. Yamila is a medical librarian at the University of Arizona. In working as a Librarian, she has been determined to increase health literacy to better serve the needs of the Latino and Native American populations, improving access to information related to the health of Native American, Hispanic, Border, Evidence-based, intercultural, bilingual and culturally appropriate. She has experience training information for clinicians, students, and community members, including health promoters/ “Promotores de Salud”.