We are pleased to announce that Nikki Davis, MBA, Vice President of Program Administration at WISE just completed the American Society on Aging’s (ASA) Rise Fellowship, a 20-week leadership and social justice program for leaders of color in aging.
As part of her RISE Fellowship project, Nikki partnered with fellow co-members Tae Oh, (Philadelphia Corporation for Aging); Zeena Regis (Compassion and Choices); and Shivanti Kariyawasam (Rebuilding Together) to address inaccurate representations of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) older adults in the mainstream media.
“We all know that aging is constant,” Nikki says. “It is one universal aspect of human existence that is consistent, and we all experience it, but structural society and mainstream media often fail to recognize the power in aging, which creates dated stereotypes. When we then shine the equity light on the aging of BIPOC older adults, we see that we're missing the representation of millions that allow younger generations to see themselves in aging."
Nikki's team project identified methods that industry advocates and allies can use to raise awareness and elevate the value of BIPOC aging. These include narratives and visuals that amplify the voice and work of artists and story tellers to challenge stereotypes and positively portray aging in BIPOC communities.
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