Description

About the Book

SOCIOLOGY | SOCIAL JUSTICE
ISBN: 9781736820964
Publishers: Blue Cactus Press

This book was partially funded by the Tacoma Arts Commission, which supports Tacoma’s community by funding local artists and arts organizations, providing technical assistance organizing Tacoma’s annual Art at Work month, and oversees the public art program.

Praise for Unearthing Our Roots

“We find ourselves at a moment in which the world is on fire and texts like Unearthing Our Roots, in which Krista’s words are rooted in the collective knowledge of the community, remind us of the power of coming together to make change. More than a book, Unearthing Our Roots is a guide for community organizing and solidarity. Want to make change? Read this book!” — Aleyda Cervantes, poet & social justice advocate

“In Unearthing Our Roots, readers will encounter Krista’s powerful and enrolling call to reflect, receive, and act in accordance with our deepest held community values as BIPOC leaders. At once confronting and comforting, Pérez’s work holds up a mirror for each of us to view macro and micro forces more clearly, and a lantern to illuminate a path forward to personal, interpersonal and community healing.” — Julie Davidson, Owner-Operator of Komadre Kombucha & certified Co-Active & Relationship Systems Coach

“Krista Pérez has written a marvel of a book—part memoir, part community organizing guidebook—that will touch and transform many lives. She describes trauma historically experienced by BIPOC and BIWOC communities, then explains how these experiences prohibit us from creating the communities we want to see. Within these pages I hear the scholarship and wisdom of bell hooks, Linda Tuhiwai Smith, and others, but written with the clarity of Pérez’s voice and in a language that will speak to younger generations. As she writes in her introduction, ‘language is continually evolving to more accurately reflect our truths.’ This statement best describes the power and beauty of Unearthing Our Roots.” — Renee Simms, author of Meet Behind Mars and professor of African American Studies / Creative Writing

“In Unearthing Our Roots, Pérez took me back to my childhood, reminding me of my family’s legacy to serve and the long forgotten gifts bestowed upon me throughout their struggle. This book is a source of healing and strengthening for BIPOC JEDAI and Anti-Racism professionals and practitioners. Thank you, Krista, for your commitment to authenticity, transparency, accountability and sustainability.” — Norinda Rosario Yancey, President & CEO of Fierce Buddha, LLC

About the Author

Krista R. Pérez aims to share her story, all parts of her story, including her softest and strongest parts, her sacred nature, the joy of motherhood, and her deeply rooted cultural values, to create spaces for Women of Color to show up in all capacities. Krista is also a proponent of integrated leadership, in which we bring all parts of ourselves to our professional workspaces. By making our whole selves visible we learn to value our whole selves, and others, as  others and community members.

Krista’s focus and work is anchored in centering anti-racist, equitable and community centered work. Her multi-disciplinary perspective allows her to view her work through several lenses, which include her identity as a second generation immigrant and descendant of a migrant working family, her undergraduate degree in law, economics, and public policy, small business/entrepreneurial knowledge and experience, and her dedication to community organizing. These experiences inform the work Krista has done as president and founder of the nonprofit organization, the Tacoma Women of Color Collective; co-founder of The Community Market, a PoC centered market; and Perez Consulting, a diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion consulting business.

At Perez Consulting, authenticity, transparency and accountability are prioritized. Krista believes it is important to uproot anti-Black, racist, ableist, and biased values while amplifying the voices of communities of color. Key to this is creating safe spaces for Black, Indigenous and People of Color and striving for equitable outcomes.