Rose Barboza, executive director of Black Owned Maine, gives the keynote address Thursday at YWCA Central Maine’s Stand Against Racism at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston. Barboza detailed steps for participants to take, including changing language, looking at the ecosystems of organization and financially supporting black-owned businesses. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Ayesha Hall, director of strategic planning for the Maine Department of Education, speaks Thursday on deconstructing white supremacy culture at YWCA Central Maine’s Stand Against Racism conference at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston. Hall led the group in a discussion to highlight white supremacy characteristics that exist in many businesses and places of employment. She was formerly social emotional learning and equity resource coordinator for Lewiston schools. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Claire Alexander, right, speaks Thursday about white supremacy culture during a discussion at YWCA Central Maine’s Stand Against Racism conference at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston. From left are Sara Poulin, Young Esmine and Rose Barboza. Participants were directed to talk about white supremacy cultural characteristics they have experienced at work, including perfectionism, sense of urgency, paternalism, power hoarding, fear of open conflict, individualism, objectivity and the right to comfort. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Ayesha Hall, director of strategic partnerships for the Maine Department of Education, speaks Thursday with participants about deconstructing white supremacy culture at YWCA Central Maine’s Stand Against Racism conference at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston. Hall encouraged participants to be brave in a safe space and pull at the threads of the white-dominant culture they experience at work. She was formerly social emotional learning and equity resource coordinator for Lewiston schools. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal