From Ally to Accomplice: How to Lead like a Fierce Anti-Racist

As part of a new class at Metro State entitled “Critiquing Racism in Art,” we are proud to announce a public talk by noted arts activist Seena Hodges, aka “the Woke Coach” on Monday, September 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Seena Hodges "The Woke Coach" - Guest Speaker
ARTS 370 - Critiquing Racism in Art
From Ally to Accomplice: How to Lead as a Fierce Anti-Racist

Supported by the Harlan Boss Foundation.

We are thrilled to announce a new Visiting Artist Lecture Series at Metro State. This series focuses on hosting an annual presentation and discussion with creatives working at the highest levels of their respective art fields. Centering student experiences, the mission of the series is to educate and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary art and culture through discourse. Established as part of the new course "Critiquing Racism in Art," the lecture will also be open to all students, faculty, and staff as well as the general public in an evening lecture.

Seena Hodges Biography

Seena is an award-winning businesswoman, activist, and intersectional feminist who has spent her career advocating for historically underrepresented communities and training leaders to use their positions of privilege to create lasting change. In 2023, Seena released her first book, "From Ally to Accomplice: How to Lead as a Fierce Antiracist," furthering her commitment to dismantling systemic oppression. As a thought leader, she was an editor at large for Twin Cities Business and has been featured on and in various media outlets, including Good Day Chicago, Black Enterprise magazine, and the Wall Street Journal.

Seena holds a master’s degree from Columbia University and is both a certified public manager and a PhD candidate in Management and Public Service at Hamline University. She is a trained equity, diversity, and inclusion facilitator and certified administrator of Clifton Strengths® and the Intercultural Development Inventory®. An advocate for the arts and entrepreneurship, Seena was the first person of color to lead the Walker Art Center’s Board of Trustees and remains an active member today. She is also involved with the Black Trustee Alliance for Art Museums, The Women’s Presidents’ Organization, Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable, and Women Elevating Women.

Seena is a connector who loves to see people and organizations thrive, and is committed to creating brave spaces for all.

“Seena is a tremendous leader who allows for dialogue, silence and space and is able to redirect and focus the conversation in a way that appears effortless. I am astounded by her skill and grateful and appreciative to have learned from her in a cohort setting.”

— Client of The Woke Coach

For more information about the event, please contact Dr Megan Arney Johnston, Assistant Professor of Art History at megan.johnston@metrostate.edu.