Scholars of Color- Deka Spears
What is Scholars of Color?
It is a platform in which scholars of color are purposefully celebrated. It’s a space where scholars of color are showcased front and center. It is a digital space where we feel empowered and resilient. Let us get to know each other. Let us cheer each other on AND show the world what we have to offer.
Let us now welcome Deka Spears to the Scholars of Color space!
Name: Deka Spears
Email: spearsde@grinnell.edu
Gender Pronouns: They/Them
What do you currently do for work and/or school?: Work: Intercultural Affairs Program Coordinator at Grinnell College Graduate Program: Master's of Science in Higher Education with a certificate in Community College Studies from Cal State Fullerton, May 2019
Without positions or titles, how would you describe yourself?: I would describe myself as eclectic, passionate, intentional, ambitious, humorous,queer, and unyielding
What are you passionate about?: What energizes me is education and educating other people. I'm passionate about social justice, LGBT rights, disability awareness, body positivity, music, art, and writing. I love being able to help people discover their voice and tell their own stories. I also love watching people transform into their most authentic self. It is so difficult to learn to be unapologetic about your values, you as a person, and your identities, I've definitely learned that and have grown a lot into my own identities. My passions relate back to authenticity and being unapologetic.
Why is the representation of scholars of color important to you?: As an undergraduate, I was a creative writing major and LGBIT studies minor. I remember being in classes, especially creative writing classes and reading books, poetry, etc written by Cis white men. I never related to anything we read. I remember thinking that there were so many wonderful writers of color and we never get to hear their voices, unless the class was taught by a person of color. The representation of scholars of color is important to me because our voices have been silenced for so long, because it is important to see ourselves reflected in academia, and to reinforce our belonging in the academy. People of color have contributed so much to the world and I think it's important to create space where we can uplift one another and share our voices.
If people are interested in getting connected to you, how can they?: spearsde@grinnell.edu, https://www.linkedin.com/in/deka-spears-m-s-4a6438160/
Anything else you would like us to know?:Thank you Michael for creating this platform
Thank you Deka for sharing space with us!
Stay tuned everyone for more Scholars of Color profiles. Interested in being showcased yourself? Please email the Scholars of Color team at scholarsofcolor@reclaimingyourhappiness.com and we will get back to you shortly.
