Spirit Tawfiq – Creative Antiracism Educator  – Playwright

Bio:

Spirit Tawfiq is a transformational speaker and creative antiracism educator who brings history to life, weaving interconnected threads of our painful pasts with the legacies that shape the present to inspire a more just future. The daughter of Little Rock Nine icon Minnijean Brown-Trickey, Spirit offers a uniquely powerful perspective, bridging generations and igniting conversations on identity, race, and social justice.

The author of the critically acclaimed stage production One Ninth, Spirit empowers audiences to confront systemic racism and embrace their role in creating change. The play is an intimate exploration of human dignity and racial conflict as seen through the eyes of Minnijean, an ordinary 16-year-old girl who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957.  Through her Roots of the Spirit podcast Spirit fosters empathy and change and amplifies her honest conversations about identity, race and racism.

Spirit’s journey includes experiences with the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution and with civil rights icons such as Brown-Trickey and Ruby Bridges. A proud mother of one son, Nizami, Spirit dedicates herself to creating a more just and harmonious world for him and for generations to come.

Program:

Spirit engages audiences of all sizes with warmth, intellect and creativity.  Her sessions lead participants to reflect on their own ability to uproot racism and plant seeds of healing and joy. The result: an auditorium of learners find themselves inspired to reimagine and build a more inclusive, compassionate world.

Speaking Topics

  • Enlightening Conversations about Racism: A Daughter of Little Rock Nine’s Perspective
  • Reclaim Your Power: Uprooting Internalized Racism –  Celebrating Black, Indigenous and Pople of Color (BIPOC)
 
 
 
 
 
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”Spirit led a phenomenal anti-racism and "journey to activism" workshop for students in the first year of our scholar activist program. She had a very disarming and compassionate approach to getting the group to speak about sensitive topics. She was so skillful at connecting historical events to aspects of her family's history and experiences as an activist. This really empowered students to understand how the personal can be a powerful reservoir and humanizing impetus for our political praxis. Everyone left more empowered and prepared to think critically about the role that racism and other forms of oppression have played in our lives and what we can each do to challenge these legacies."

Dr. Sheriden M. Booker
Director, The Beyond Identity Program, Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, City College of New York

”Your story and the way you tell it is so captivating. You really were a perfect selection for our Black History Month celebration. We agree that Black history is American history and we are committed to ensuring that the conversation continues after today.

Our members said: “Goosebumps all the way!” “So powerful.” “You’re a great storyteller.” “Very inspiring.” “Great presentation.” “Moved to tears.” And countless others just saying, “thank you so much!” We cannot capture all the praises.

Millipore Sigma Black Leadership Network (Keynote address - Black History Month)

”Spirit's perspective as the daughter of a key figure of a major event in the history of system racial discrimination and violence is very compelling- a gift to world. Although I've studied this history in various classes over the years, hearing about it from her vantage point was uniquely powerful.

Accel People: A Westwood and Wilshire Company staff member (4-hour Antiracism workshop participant)

”Each evening after the workshop, I talked with colleagues outside of the [this organization] and so many people would like to be engaged in these conversations and be able to attend a similar workshop. I know it's emotionally draining work and I thank all of you for doing this and for being so open...Thank you, again, for all that you did in the weeks, months, and days before and during the workshop. It was so professional and real and full of grace throughout. Thank you.

National Park Service staff member (2-day Antiracism intensive workshop participant)

”I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of inviting Spirit into middle and high classrooms across NYC for the past 5+ years. Spirit shares her family’s story rooted in history and filled with passion and thoughtfulness and her ability to relate to groups of all ages from children to adults is amazing. She has a caring warmth that participants are highly engaged with and her story inspires everyone in the room.

Renee Harleston, Speakers Bureau Coordinator
Facing History and Ourselves