Workshops, Talks, & Trainings
Shawna Potter has been facilitating workshops and leading trainings since 2011. She started by speaking to college students about how they can better respond to street harassment and has since developed expertise in a wide range of social change skills. Also the singer for the band War On Women, Shawna has tackled sexism and harassment in lyrics and on stage for years. Taking the battle to music venues themselves, she has trained night clubs and community spaces in how to create safer environments for marginalized people. In her book, Making Spaces Safer, she has provided a clear and concise guide for spaces of all sorts -- from art galleries to bagel shops to concert halls -- that want to shut down harassers wherever they show up. Now a consent-based Intimacy Coordinator for live and filmed performances, she’s combined all her skills to create a better experience for actors, directors, and audiences alike.
Whether you are local to Baltimore, able to sponsor her travel to your town, or want to project her onto a screen for your event, Shawna is open to all types of events and price points. She’s happy to provide the best possible experience for your staff, students, scene, group, or community.
Shawna Potter has been speaking publicly on feminism, gender-based violence, women in music, safer space tactics, and bystander intervention for over a decade. To invite her to your panel, round table discussion, documentary, showcase, livestream, or event, contact her now.
“Shawna Potter has been working to address harassment in public space for over a decade. She comes at this issue with an unbridled passion, commitment to intersectionality, and a deep expertise that’s been forged by her work in communities. She’s a leading global advocate in the work to end harassment in restaurants and bars and a tremendous asset”
“Shawna Potter is an engaging, informed speaker who just connects. More groups, companies and organizations should take advantage of (her) presentation(s).”
Tailored for you
In-person or virtual? Large or small group? Big budget or no budget? One-off presentation or full-on partnership? Whatever your needs, Shawna can tailor her services to best fit you. Have questions about the possibilities? Contact her now.
Training/Presentations
Street Harassment 101
Safer Space Program
Bystander Intervention in Public
Bystander Intervention at Work
Politicizing Art: the Lyrics and Message of War On Women
Healthy Flirting & Creating Safer Parties
Safer Spaces in Third Spaces: Deconstructing the Safer Space Program
Lecture and Panel Discussion Topics
Activism
Feminism
Art + Activism
Political Lyricism
Healthy Flirting
Crisis Response
Women in Music
Responding to Harassment
Safer Spaces: needs and tactics
Bystander Intervention
Alcohol’s Role in Sexual Violence
Consulting Topics
Policy Review, Rewrite, or Creation
Training Materials
Interpersonal Conflicts
Effective Activism
DIY Organizing/Fundraising
Starting an Ally Group
Intimacy Choreography Basics
What people are saying
“[Our] volunteers spent a good 5-10 minutes talking about how much they loved your presentation & discussion after we re-convened, and how they want to get involved in projects that Hollaback! is facilitating going forward”
“It was such a wonderful presentation and I think everyone got a lot out of it. ”
“…it was fantastic to receive more information from someone on the front lines. We greatly appreciate you taking the time out to come talk to us. ”
“…your tangible tools…leave people feeling empowered.”
“Thanks SO much for coming out to talk with us. LOVED the part about how men can be allies as well.”
“Shawna facilitated a training for our organizers and community members. Many of us are big fans of Shawna’s book, and her training helped crystallize so many critical points the book raises. Through her engaging presentation and informative Q&A, we learned how to address our own safety needs with specific and detailed examples. Shawna clearly lives and breathes the subject of safer spaces, and that passion helped us learn a ton. It’s important that we have tools to ensure community spaces are safe for everyone, and Shawna’s training provides those tools so our organization can grow into a better place for all.”
“As a presenter, she’s engaging and knowledgeable and was able to use video examples to show clear uses of the tactics she was discussing. And the information she presented was as thought-provoking as it was immediately applicable. By doing some live scenario training after the presentation, all the students were able to practice their new skills and really get a feel for how and when to use them.
Thanks, Shawna, for a great event and for all the work you’re doing empowering individuals to be the first one to step up when they witness harassment or abuse.”