Video: Community activist Beverly Tese gives public talk at UH Hilo on diverse representation
The talk, “Representation,” focusing on the profound significance of representation in society and media, is part of this semester’s Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story gatherings.
Community activist Beverly Tese of Prizma Hawaiʻi LGBTQ Center gave a talk Oct. 11 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo on the importance of diverse representation in media. Tese spoke about the profound significance of representation in society and media as it shapes perceptions and influences personal relationships.
The talk, “Representation,” is part of a series of weekly gatherings held this semester at UH Hilo where students, faculty, staff, university retirees, and members of the local community get together in a safe and welcoming environment to share their thoughts around a common topic.
The goal of the series, named Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story: Building Community Through Conversation, is to strengthen the university’s connections to the local community through conversation. Topics cover Maunakea stewardship, mental health, better communication, houselessness in Hawaiʻi, entrepreneurship, and more. Following a short talk by a featured guest, attendees break out into discussion groups and then share their manaʻo (thoughts) with everyone.
Tese also spoke on how diverse representation fosters a sense of belonging and validation, ultimately affecting how individuals connect and interact with one another.
Tese is an alum of UH Hilo (Gender and Women’s Studies, 2021), a mother of two sons, and a dedicated community activist.
The talk was held at the Kilohana Student Success Center located in Edwin Mookini Library.
The Kuleana and Community series is sponsored by the UH Hilo Office of the Chancellor, Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, Kilohana Academic Success Center, Center for Global Education and Exchange, and Assistant Professor of Communication Colby Miyose and Associate Professor of Sociology Alton Okinaka.
