TO READ ABOUT SELECT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND TO FILL OUR AN INTAKE INQUIRY FORM, VISIT JYOTIGUPTA.COM.

“Socio-Cultural Associations with ‘Dark’ Skin”
Sunday Adult Discussion Series
Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, Thoreau-Stafford Campus

An interactive, illuminating talk held at Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, Stafford Campus tries to illustrate how colour and colourism can work differently across regions. A predominantly White audience participated and talked about the historical significance of color in American culture in 1950’s when tanning was a status symbol, indicating the ability to afford a holiday. Jyoti juxtaposed this with Indian perspective where dark skin instantly draws connections to caste, class, beauty, and intelligence.

“Understanding Colo(u)rism: A Workshop”
Allied Media Conference at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
June 2013

An interactive, event dedicated to talk about colorism practice and privilege in our communities to create a space where people can share their experiences. Interesting subtopics like ‘reverse colorism,’ and whether it can actually exist came up? It was attended by a diverse audience who appreciated the creation of a safe and equitable space.

“My Skin Color, My Media and I”
TEDx Women SugarLand 2012 at Houston Museum of Natural Science SugarLand, TX
December 2012

The TEDx talk aimed to discuss colorism where Jyoti discussed on the events that led up to her first project on colorism. She shed light on the lived experiences of people in the subcontinent. Most importantly, she talked about the restorative potential of media as a changemaker.

“Colorism, Media Literacy and Change”
Youth Fellowship Orientation Camp
Hermitage Huts, Delhi NCR
January 2018

In this interactive media literacy workshop youth participated in a discussion on colorism — reflections on history, religion, caste, and, modern-day colorism experiences. Taking examples from Indian media, we critically engaged and analyzed direct messaging and subtext in popular advertisements, newsmedia, and film. Youth participated by performing short skits as a commentary on colorism in India.

“Colorism in Our Communities”
Samarpan Foundation at Kishangarh School, Delhi NCR
August 2018

A workshop conducted on request for teachers and educators discussed pedagogy and curriculum through the lens of anti-colorism. The teachers who attended the workshop taught in some of the under-privileged Delhi NCR schools. Teachers gave insights on colorism in society, bullying, parenting. They talked about their childhood/teen-age personal experiences, and reflected on their teaching and parenting practices and in the classroom.