East Midlands People of Colour (EmPoC)

Join us every first Saturday of the month

from 11am to 1 pm at the Nottingham Buddhist Centre

Our meetings include introductions to meditation, picnics, celebrations and occasionally we schedule online sessions. Contact us at ***empoc@nottinghambuddhistcentre.org*** for more details

The East Midlands People of Colour group (EmPoC) is a gathering open to all who come from the richly diverse lived experiences of these intentionally welcomed identities: Black, and people of colour inclusive of Asian, South East Asian, Latinx, Arab/Middle Eastern, biracial, mixed heritage, and multiracial, at any stage of their journey exploring the Dharma.

*“Being part of EmPoC gave me a place I could laugh my heart away and the love of the members filled me with inspiration”* ***Njoki Pratt***

In coming together we co-create a friendly space where people of colour meet to learn and develop their practice of meditation and the Buddha’s teachings.

“EmPoC has helped to unfurl my understanding around aspects of my being to do with being an Asian British woman. It has provided a place of trust to explore these issues more deeply, with others” Geeta Singh

This is a welcoming and engaging environment that invites meaningful and heart-opening conversations rooted in trust, respect and deep empathy for the benefit of all.

“I have found EmPoC a place where we can support, encourage and engage in our practice but also dealing with the ebbs and flow of life which our colour and ethnicity can bring and where you can be open, honest and safe”

Nina Summers

EmPoC began October 2020, after a need to gather and reflect around the tragic killing of George Floyd impacted the whole world.

We have been ever growing since and we're excited to continue expanding this vibrant wing of the Triratna Buddhist Community to include those who share a lived experience as a person of colour and who understand in a real way the joys, challenges and insights that being a person of colour can bring on our path to liberation.

“Genuine befriending (meet and greet at the centre door), non-judgmental empathic listening (during circle time discussions about racialized trauma; seeing, listening and connecting with people) and open handed generosity (with overnight centre stays and cooked meals), have created the core conditions of psychological safety and trust for a Black Mixed man to keep coming back to EmPoC and gradually and safely enter the wider Sangha at Nottingham”

Oliver Luke Taylor

*“When you experience being apart of EmPoC your heart hug itself, your body ease and you feel complete and utter trust”* ***Rio Powell***

Join us whether you are new or regular to Triratna

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Upcoming events:

Watch some related content:

The Race Conversations

Directly inspired by Eugene Ellis’ excellent book and held as part of Nottingham Buddhist Centre’s Sangha nights, here are the recordings of our Race Conversations:

Part 1 (June 8th)

Part 2 (July 20th)

Part 3 (September 28)

Part 4 - with Eugene Ellis (November 23)

Q&A with Eugene Ellis

FREEDOM: THE BIGGER PICTURE

Suryagupta, the London Buddhist Centre’s first black and female Chair, explores her lineage of inspiration in this two part talk where she evokes the life and example of Martin Luther King, Dr. Ambedkar, John Coltraine, Rosa Parks, Toni Morrison and Dhardo Rimpoche:

Freedom: The Bigger Picture (Part 1)

Freedom: The Bigger Picture (Part 2)