BIWOC

BIWOC Collective

"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." - Audre Lorde

About the BIWOC Collective

The BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, Women of Color) Collective is dedicated to providing safe and inclusive spaces for BIWOC to recover, recharge, and connect. Our invitation-only events, located in beautiful Bay Area settings, feature inspiring BIWOC leaders, artists, professionals, and emerging talent from within the Oakland community. Our member-supported programs and events provide holistic experiences where BIWOC can have intimate conversations, share wellness practices, immerse in beautiful art, and support collective growth.

Our events showcase some of the best food, wine, and art Oakland has to offer, which makes truly unique and memorable experiences as a thriving collective. We hope that our events will empower and uplift BIWOC of Oakland, helping them to feel more relaxed, supported, and connected.

About the BIWOC Collective

The BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, Women of Color) Collective is dedicated to providing safe and inclusive spaces for BIWOC to recover, recharge, and connect. Our invitation-only events, located in beautiful Bay Area settings, feature inspiring BIWOC leaders, artists, professionals, and emerging talent from within the Oakland community. Our member-supported programs and events provide holistic experiences where BIWOC can have intimate conversations, share wellness practices, immerse in beautiful art, and support collective growth.

Our events showcase some of the best food, wine, and art that Oakland has to offer, making truly unique and memorable experiences as a thriving collective. We hope that our events will empower and uplift BIWOC of Oakland, helping them to feel more relaxed, supported, and connected.

The BIWOC Collective Event - Salon Talk, the untold stories

This BIWOC Collective Series is designed to provide an intimate experience with the Bay Area’s most inspiring women. These remarkable individuals have made a significant impact on our community, particularly during times of struggle and adversity.

As we gather to celebrate women, we will honor their accomplishments, hear their untold stories, experience their talents, and reflect on the challenges they have overcome. Through this event series, we aim to create a sacred space where BIWOC can connect with one another, share their experiences, and feel recharged to continue their important work.

Throughout the series, invited attendees will have the opportunity to hear from these incredible women and learn more about their stories. We will also be showcasing some of the best food, wine, and art that Oakland has to offer, making this a truly unique and memorable experience. Join us to relax, rejuvenate, and connect!

BIWOC = Black, Indigenous, Women of Color

The Five BIWOC Collective Event Elements

Support of at least one BIWOC-owned business
Ancestor-approved nourishment (food, libations, and music) for the heart, body, and soul
Beautiful surroundings (art and space) that remind of us of our royalty
Sophistication in style as Billie Holiday, Sade, or Nefertiti
A gift to remind you of the good times and abundance that Earth offers

Our Origin Story

Lisha and Debbie met on the campus of the University of Southern California in the Spring of 2000 while pledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Though they lost touch over the years , they both relocated to the Bay area to start their adult life and career pursuits. As life would have it, our shared paths, raising our daughters, and our dreams have brought us back to birth at this moment, for us and everyone around us seeking more joy in life and abundance.

As fate would have it, their paths crossed again as they began to raise their daughters in Oakland, California and fulfill their dreams. This led to a special moment in which they were inspired to create something meaningful for themselves and those around them, who were also seeking more joy and abundance in life – Oakland’s BIWOC Collective.

Through their shared experiences and a desire to make a positive impact, Lisha and Debbie have come together to create something truly special. They hope that their journey will inspire others to pursue their dreams, connect with their communities, and find happiness and fulfillment in life.

Lisha Bell

Lisha Bell is cofounder of BLXVC, an angel syndicate of moms funding Black and Brown founders. She is the host of the Sisters with Ventures Podcast that aims to tell the stories of women in VC. Bell is also the prior deal flow lead for Pipeline Angels, an angel group of impact investors focused on women and femmes to build an over $7M portfolio. Lisha also serves as board chair for Black Girl Ventures. She is a recognized employee resource group leader with over 20 years experience in fortune 500 companies. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, cooking, and dancing, all while balancing motherhood duties with her daughter. Lisha holds a B.S. in Business Administration, Information Systems from USC, as well as MBAs from UC Berkeley and Columbia Business Schools where she was recognized as the USC Widney Outstanding Alumna and 2013 Berkeley Columbia Distinguished Service Award recipient, respectively. She has been featured in Forbes, Huffpost, Bloomberg, Cheddar TV, and Black Enterprise.

Debbie G. Senesky

Debbie G. Senesky is an Associate Professor at Stanford University in the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department. As Principal Investigator of the EXtreme Environment Microsystems Laboratory (XLab), her work is focused on the development of nanomaterials for extreme harsh environments to support future space missions. She received the B.S. degree (2001) in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California. She received the M.S. degree (2004) and Ph.D. degree (2007) in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. In recognition of her research, she received the Emerging Leader Abie Award from AnitaB.org in 2018, Early Faculty Career Award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2012, Gabilan Faculty Fellowship Award in 2012, and Sloan Ph.D. Fellowship from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in 2004. She serves on the board of the Francon Foundation which aims to support Black and Jewish communities in America. Prof. Senesky's career path and research has been featured on Seeker, People Behind the Science podcast, The Future of Everything radio show, Space.com, and NPR's Tell Me More program.