Waging Non-violence

[The] pandemic is an opportunity for punks to help build a better post-COVID world.

“Everyone deserves equal access to a good time. If you’re going to tout yourself as a genre for the outcasts, as something welcoming and tolerant, then you better do the work to make sure that’s true.”

by Dawson Barrett, 2020

The Stoop Storytelling Series in partnership with Women in Business at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School presented “Movers and Shakers: Stories about taking risks, breaking barriers, fighting oppression, and disrupting the status quo,” an evening of inspiring true, personal tales about making an impact at home, in Baltimore, and in the world. Click the arrow above to listen to Shawna tell the story of how a love of music led her to fight for everyone’s right to rock, free of harassment. To check out more inspiring stories, visit The Stoop’s website. (March 4th, 2020)

Focus on the future: Safer Spaces post-covid

Here Shawna speaks to a group invested in music venue safety. In a post-COVID world, how do we define safety for workers and audience members? How do we support the communities we’re in? How do we respond to harassment and violence? How do we prevent it in the first place? Watch to learn more.

How to Be A Good Bystander

Virtual Panel Discussion

The United Way of Central Maryland: Emerging Leaders United hosted a panel discussion with Shawna Potter of Hollaback! Baltimore, and Cheri Wilson, MA, MHS, CPHQ Program Manager for Education, Training, and Scholarship in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity, moderated by Heidi Stasiowski. The audience learned about the 5 D’s of Bystander Intervention and ways to feel empowered to use their voice or presence to combat harassment. (2021)

Building Safer Spaces in Creative Communities

Virtual workshop

This early covid-19 pandemic presentation brings together folx from Art+Feminism, FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture and Shawna Potter, author of Making Spaces Safer. Each presenter shares their work, and it concludes with a facilitated Q&A “as we collaborate towards solutions for creating safer, braver space for us all.” NOTE: The session will include discussion about harassment and trauma that may be triggering. (2020)

book stew interview

Book Stew is a long-running community television show celebrating authors and their work. This chat between Shawna and host Eileen is a great primer about the basics of Shawna’s book, Making Spaces Safer. You can also listen to this interview via Soundcloud. (2020)