Healing Through Empathy: Practices to Affirm Historically and Culturally Marginalized Groups                            (Room 908)

This session will explore how empathy mapping can be used to foster healing and affirmation within historically and culturally marginalized communities. Empathy mapping is a participatory tool that helps identify the unique challenges, needs, and aspirations of marginalized groups, making it a powerful approach to creating healing practices grounded in their lived experiences. By addressing the compounded trauma of systemic oppression and cultural erasure, empathy mapping helps uncover the emotional, psychological, and cultural needs of these communities. Participants will learn how to apply empathy mapping to design restorative and culturally affirming interventions in schools, community organizations, and social service agencies. The session will also focus on how empathy mapping can build trust, promote cultural affirmation, and support community resilience—ultimately contributing to healing and empowerment in spaces where it’s most needed.

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