Highline students and employees took time to reflect on the power of pause today. Keynote speaker, Dr. Joye Hardiman spoke in Highline's auditorium, about pausing as a form of resistance and to acknowledge accomplishments. 

The Power of Pause: A Path to Healing & Justice was the theme for the first lecture and workshop in the Winter Series, put on by the Center for Cultural & Inclusive Excellence (CCIE).

“Moments of pause give us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our victories in the midst of change,” said Dr. Hardiman. 

The theme arose from discussions about rest, empowerment and providing tools for activism.

According to Edwina Fui, Director of CCIE, “the (Power of Pause) theme reflects our commitment to creating space to affirm our community through intentional dialogue, mental wellness, affirmation and lifting up the stories of our students, staff and faculty.”

“Dr. Hardiman embodied our theme with her experience and lifework”, said Fui. “She is a local leader, educator, storyteller and one with the experience to speak about our theme during this season.” 

Hardiman is the author of, "The Ra-Surrection of Truth From the Chains of Falsehood," which was available for sale at the event. 

The CCIE has traditionally hosted four cultural & Identity-based weeks: LGBTQIA+ week, Disability Justice Week, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Week and Unity through Diversity Week. It’s now adopting a series model.

“As CCIE has transitioned from Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week to a CCIE Winter Series, we see our work this quarter as (still) significant to Dr. King’s life as we continue to honor his legacy of leadership, community connection and activism,” Fui said.

CCIE provides transformative leadership in creating a learning environment that is equitable, inclusive, and celebrates all identities. By committing to increasing social consciousness, CCIE educates through a diversity and social justice lens, empowering students as social change agents, and dismantling institutional oppression.

The next CCIE Winter Series event is a Mindfulness Field Day; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on February 13, 2025.