Thursday, December 7th, 2023 from 12-1:30pm PST
Register for this event here.
Join us for this community forum co-led by the Chacruna Institute and Chacruna Lationarmérica teams, where we will explore the intricate relationship between psychedelics and the Latinx community in the United States. This unique gathering addresses key themes, such as the specific resources needed to support Latinx individuals in their psychedelic journeys, personal stories of how psychedelics strengthen cultural identity, the importance of amplifying Latinx voices in the psychedelic movement, regional variations in psychedelic perceptions, the impact of plant medicines on family values, and the historic Latinx tradition of using diverse plant medicines. We’ll also discuss the contrast between the medical focus on psychedelics in the U.S. and the spiritual quests in other countries. Furthermore, we’ll explore the global consequences of the war on drugs and how it affects Latinx communities. This event offers a platform for enriching dialogues and promoting inclusivity, awareness, amplify Latinx voices and foster cultural understanding in the world of psychedelics.
Ibrahim Gabriell is a communicologist and multidisciplinary researcher of the phenomenon of expanded states of consciousness. As a professor in the state of Chiapas (Mexico), he has taught both Communication studies at the Universidad de los Altos de Chiapas and Transpersonal Psychology at the Universidad Jose Vasconcelos. He is Communications Associate of Chacruna Latinoamérica in Mexico. He is also co-founder of Vía Synapsis, an academic society that organizes the National Congress on Psychoactive Substances at the National University of Mexico. He also served as an assistant editor for the publishing house Lunaria. Ibrahim is co-host of Mindsurf’s podcasts: MindSurf – Transformations of Consciousness and Psyche & Cosmos.
Karina Alvarez is a Mexican graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, and cacao/chocolate aficionado. Having a deep interest on topics about de-stigmatization of drugs and their consumers, she has done graphic design work and volunteered for organizations such as Espolea, ReverdeSer, and the Program of Substance Analysis. She has also collaborated with video production and editing for Drug Reporter. She worked for 5 years in the area of communication for the Mexican Commission of Defense and Promotion of Human Rights, an organization that deals with subjects such as enforced disappearance, migration, femicide, and land and territory defense. Karina is Chacruna’s Media Content Producer.
Alejandra Barajas (she/they/him) received her BA in Studio Art and Journalism from Beloit College. As an undergrad, she explored many topics ranging from art to philosophy to anthropology to journalism. Professionally, she has combined these skills in order to build a portfolio of knowledge. She uses an ethnographic approach to understand existence by communicating with different types of people, documenting their life experiences, and sharing this wisdom with the world through different mediums. She began this practice by working with graffiti artists in Chicago and giving them a platform to share their voices in an effort to remove the stigma surrounding this underground culture. During that time, she was a journalist for UP Mag which is a NY based publication focused on street art and politics. She has since shifted her focus to psychedelic plant medicines and is primarily interested in the topics of accessibility for underrepresented communities and promoting indigenous voices. She is Chacruna’s Program Coordinator and she is also part of Chacruna’s Women, Gender Diversity, and Sexual Minorities Working Group. She supports the production of research, books, chronicles, community forums, in-person events and conferences, courses and team’s speaking engagements. She is currently based in Washington, DC.
Moderator: Lorien Chavez is the Development and Operations Officer for the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines. Based in New Mexico, she received her B.A in Psychology and Biology with a focus on Neurology, and is passionate about the research and use of sacred plant medicines as a tool for generational epigenetic healing. She has been motivated to look deeper into how psychedelics may aid in the process of remapping our minds and nervous systems, and is eager to do it in a way that remains respectful and celebratory of the traditions these medicines are rooted in. Passionate about plant based healing, Lorien is also the COO of CommuniTeas – an herbal education platform and production company working to bring holistic healing to communities in accessible formats.
Mariom Luna is a motion graphic designer who also works with audio, music, and photography, based in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico. A travel and nature lover, from his very first psychedelic experience in 2009, he realized the importance of contributing to the de-stigmatization of the use of plant medicine. He has collaborated with drug policy organizations such as Espolea, Mind Surf, and La Drogoteca Library. He is a graphic designer for the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines.
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