
We Ceremony
We, Ceremony is a response to the lack of representation of women of color and the negative portrayal of women of color in everyday life
We, Ceremony is a response to the lack of representation and the negative portrayal of women of color in everyday life. With our collected stories, we celebrate the unique voices within our community, while challenging society to confront the issues rooted in systemic racism. Iliana Panameno Growing up as a Salvadoran-American womxn in the Back…
Categories :
Full Bio
We, Ceremony is a response to the lack of representation and the negative portrayal of women of color in everyday life. With our collected stories, we celebrate the unique voices within our community, while challenging society to confront the issues rooted in systemic racism.
Iliana Panameno Growing up as a Salvadoran-American womxn in the Back Bay area of Boston, Iliana understood at a young age that her identity was unique in every sense. “In a society where the Latinx narrative is often disregarded and my culture is used like the latest fashion trend, I wanted to commit my life’s work in advocating for equal access and opportunities for my community.” Through We, Ceremony, Iliana aims to deconstruct many of the negative images and single stories white men have created for womxn of color. “We need to reclaim what’s ours and our time is now.”Iliana holds a MSW from Boston University School of Social Work, where she focused on macro practice social work in organizing communities and systems of care for the advancement of poc. She works as a community organizer in the Greater Boston area.
Mu-Chieh Yun Born in Pingtung, Taiwan, Mu-Chieh Yun immigrated to the United States at seven years old with her family. At a young age, Mu recognized that with the constant teasing of her food, her almond-shaped eyes, and her non-standard American name, society has rendered her intelligible solely based on outward appearances. Unwilling to settle with a reduced identity, Mu felt compelled to rectify the narrative ascribed to her and other women who are more than meets the eye. In 2015, she co-founded We, Ceremony with her childhood friend, Iliana Panameño. Through collected stories, We, Ceremony offers WOC ownership to their narratives. Mu is an alumna of New York University where she studied art history and social & cultural analysis. She works at a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women.
Aileen Lee, PsyD: Dr. Lee specializes in working with individuals with trauma, cultural adjustments, emotional struggles, and development issues. Her clinical training includes working with Asian American and Asian immigrant individuals and their families. “My personal and professional mission is to help others around me find their voice and speak their stories.” Dr. Lee works at Brandeis University’s counseling center, providing therapy and campus support to the International Students.
Bambina Edge, Peer Advocate of the Prevention Network Program at Boston GLASS, Justice Resource Institute, Inc.: At 26 years old, Boston native Bambina Edge is a Peer Advocate at Boston GLASS, Boston Gay & Lesbian Adolescent Social Services, which provides counseling, advocacy, and referrals for health care services and housing to LGBTQ teens and young adults, many of whom are youth of color. Additionally, Bambina is in the process of establishing herself as a makeup artist.
Elise R. Peterson, Writer, Visual Artist, and Educator: Elise’s writing has appeared in Adult, Elle, Nerve, and Spook among others. She is passionate about storytelling and reframing identity and sexuality as it relates to the marginalized. Her provocative personal narratives are approached with an inherent wit and candor. Comparably, her collage series, Black Folk, boldly challenges traditional fine art with the insertion of public figures that were particularly resonant of and vocal about their contemporary black experiences. Elise continues to explore notions of blackness and femininity in all of her creative work.
Nurys Camargo, Founder of Chica Project: Chica Project is a social enterprise dedicated to closing the opportunity divide for young Latinas by empowering them with the skills, confidence, and network necessary to thrive personally and professionally. When Nurys first began her professional career in MA, she witnessed an overwhelming need and opportunity to align a growing network of Latina leaders with first-generation Latinas living in the Commonwealth’s most underserved communities. She believed that demand could be met with mentoring and career/college coaching, which could then lead to an ever increasing and stable pipeline of social mobility for the Latino community.
Rana Abdelhamid, Founding President of the Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE): Wise is a self-defense, social entrepreneurship and leadership development organization for young Muslim and Jewish women. Rana Abdelhamid has organized around human rights issues with Amnesty International USA for the past eight years on campaigns related to women’s rights, torture and the Arab Spring. She currently serves on the National Resolutions Committee, has served on the National Youth Action Committee and served as the Youth Delegate to Amnesty’s 2015 International Council Meeting. Rana is a recipient of the UNAUSA Leo Nevas Human Rights Youth Award and the Running Start Rising Political Star Award. Rana also founded Hijabis of NY, an online blog with over 20,000 followers that highlights the stories of veiled women around the world.
Tabbytha Janeen, Fashion Designer & Painting Mentor at Artist for Humanity: Tabbytha is a practicing fashion designer who is simultaneously pursuing a career as a fashion creative director while working as a painting mentor at Artist for Humanity. Tabbytha provides a holistic approach to creating and preparing teens for careers as artists. She’s constantly creating new content for her blog and hopes to write a book in the near future that will share documented stories of finding her identity and acquiring positive self-esteem.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
With a photo and an interview at a time, we use storytelling to share the unique experiences of women of color. We travel to different cities to connect with as many women of color as possible. Recognizing that our stories are layered, we address various social issues that inform our identities.
Videos
We, Ceremony Speaker - PDA Speakers
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS

1 HOUR OR LESS