Anti-Racism Speaker for Education and Empowerment
Shay Stewart-Bouley
Shay has been featured on:
Speaking Engagements
Unlike traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, my approach is rooted in building relational connections, whether it is in my Beloved Community sessions, Authentic Dialogues, keynote addresses, or Tell me the Truth sessions with author Debby Irving.
I believe the most effective approach to anti-racism work requires building trust and relationships. Racism is a foundational problem
Here in the United States, racism was literally woven into the fabric of our nation and our founding documents, which did not see the inherent value in all people.
What Participants Say
"Shay is a gifted community builder. She wove us together, patiently, firmly, and consistently. She asked hard questions, and challenged us to be our best selves, to do more than we thought we could do." —BONNIE SHULMAN
"Reading or listening to Shay Stewart-Bouley is always worthwhile. She is honest and forthright. I have frequently found her writings to be thought provoking."
"Shay was a thoughtful and stimulating speaker. She brought a new phase to my vocabulary, “brave space." I have already used it with several trauma recovery clients."
About Shay Stewart-Bouley
Born and raised on a combination of big city attitude and Midwestern sensibility as a Chicago native, Shay Stewart-Bouley, also known as Black Girl in Maine (or BGIM), had to learn a bit of Yankee ingenuity when she relocated to Maine in 2002.
After a brief foray into education, Shay bridged her socially minded work from Chicago (working with the unhoused) to Maine by working with low-income and at-risk youth in Southern Maine, and she is currently the executive director of Community Change Inc., a 54-year-old anti-racism organization based in Boston that organizes and educates for racial equity with a specific focus on working with white people.
Black Girl in Maine | Anti Racism stories and Perspectives on Race
Since 2008, Black Girl in Maine has been a place for articles and stories on societal, cultural, educational, and even inspirational topics. From humble beginnings as a venue for a transplanted “Chicago girl” and Black woman to document and share her tales of life in one of the whitest states to a growing media site featuring anti-racism education and additional voices with their own perspectives on race, current events, and more. Explore, absorb, and—like founder Shay herself—learn how to make a difference in the world.
Recent Stories:
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