Our Approach & Philosophy
At DEI Potluck, our approach is rooted in healing, community, and co-creation. We believe that true transformation in DEI work comes from collective reflection, embodied practices, and centering the experiences of those most impacted by our work. Our philosophy is grounded in the understanding that liberation is a shared journey—one that honors the wisdom of our ancestors, the resilience of our communities, and the need for spaces where we can heal and grow together. Through deep connection and co-created solutions, we work toward disrupting systems of oppression while nurturing our own well-being.
Meet your Hosts
Emily and Jillian are the hearts behind DEI Potluck. As BIPOC DEI practitioners themselves, they’ve dedicated their work to creating spaces of healing, connection, and liberation. With deep roots in community care and a commitment to dismantling systemic oppression, they bring a blend of wisdom, compassion, and joy to every gathering. Together, they’re here to co-create a space where you can reflect, recharge, and grow—because the work of liberation is something we do together.
(she/they)
Systems Change Strategist & Coach
As the Mama of Systems Change, I believe that daily bite-sized actions create interconnected freedom.
Comfort food: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
jillian (at) deipotluck (dot) com
(she/her)
Somatic Coach. Dreamer. Rebel.
As a Liberatory Coach, I believe that reconnecting to
ourselves.
each other,
the Earth & our non-human relatives,
our ancestors and Spirit
is the path to liberation and healing.
Comfort food: Korean soups.
emily (at) deipotluck (dot) com
Join us in co-creating a community where we can heal, grow, and move toward embodied liberation together.
“Interconnected freedom is the condition and practice of intentional and accountable interdependence.”
— Mia Birdsong
adrienne maree brown, whose ideas around Emergent Strategy and Holding Change inspire our focus on community care, adaptation, and liberation.
Mia Birdsong, whose advocacy for community building and self-determination influences our commitment to collective power and liberation through authentic connection.
Liberatory Design, which helps us apply equity-centered, co-creative approaches to problem-solving and system disruption, ensuring that our work is always reflective and grounded in justice.
Tema Okun, whose framework on white supremacy culture helps us name and resist the ways that dominant systems manifest in our work, guiding us toward more equitable and human-centered practices.
Daniel Lim, whose work on regenerative and liberatory culture guides us to build trust-based, compassionate spaces that prioritize collective well-being and nurture healing and co-creation in our DEI work.
Tarot, as a tool for reflection, intuition, and self-awareness, offering us guidance in navigating the complexities of DEI work with greater mindfulness and clarity.
Black Feminism & The Combahee River Collective: The foundational socio-political intersectional thought of Angela Davis, bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and Octavia Butler shapes our understanding of how race, gender, class, and sexuality intersect in the fight for liberation. Their work deepens our commitment to collective empowerment, intersectional justice, and envisioning futures rooted in equity, care, and radical transformation.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, whose focus on Indigenous wisdom and reciprocity with the Earth inspires us to consider the deep interconnections between people, land, and justice in our approach.
At DEI Potluck, we are deeply influenced by a wide range of thinkers, practitioners, and frameworks that center liberation, healing, and collective transformation. We see lineage as a source of ancestral wisdom and a reminder that our efforts for justice and liberation are part of an ongoing, intergenerational movement. Our work is shaped by: