Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 12 pm to 1:30 pm EDT – this is a free networking event for trans, non-binary and agender people.

Pride at Work Canada is proud to present the seventh installment of Matrices: Trans, Non-Binary & Agender Digital Connect, a free networking event for trans, non-binary, and agender professionals and jobseekers! We will bring trans, non-binary, and agender professionals from across Canada.

Our guest speaker Keimi Nakashima Ochoa (all pronouns) will deliver brief remarks after which attendees will then enter 1-1 speed networking rounds to discuss our speaker’s story, our session theme, and to meet other professionals and jobseekers. After the 1-1 speed networking rounds, we’ll come back as a group and close the session.

Please note that our event will be fully taking place on the Gatheround networking platform. Once registered, we will send attendees a link to the event and if you haven’t previously used Gatheround, you’ll need to create an account and sign in. Creating an account with Gatheround is as simple as confirming an email and attendees will be sent detailed instructions on how to join the event!

Help us make Matrices a safer event! All attendees will be provided with a set of community guidelines for this event that they will be expected to read and abide by. Pride at Work Canada staff will be present in the main room at all times and volunteer facilitators will be rotating within some of the 1-1 speed networking rounds. Creating a welcoming space is a communal effort, we look forward to building a braver space based in communicating with compassion.

Captioning: At this event there will be live captioning in English, and automated French captioning only available upon request two weeks previous to the event.

Guest speaker:

Keimi Nakashima Ochoa (all pronouns)

Keimi Nakashima Ochoa (all pronouns) is an immigrant settler of mixed heritage. He was born on the lands of the Pur’hépecha, the Coca, and the Tecuexe. She spent most of her youth in Amiskwacîwâskahikan. They are now building his life on the ancestral territories of Xwməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and Səlilwətaɬ people and families.

Keimi is a Disabled, bilingual, learner, worker and artist. Her art practice incorporates creative access, reading, writing, weaving, printmaking, and more. His work and worldview have been shaped through his learning of Disability Justice, and Black Feminist theory. They are interested in anti-colonial research and learning, accessible spaces, and liberated futures.

[Image Description] Keimi stands outside on a late summer afternoon, the lighting giving their light brown skin a coppery glow. Keimi is a racially ambiguous person, with dark hair in a messy buzzcut, and a soft, fat body. They are looking into the camera with a gentle smile. They are wearing thick, brown, octagonal glasses, a cropped denim top with puffy sleeves, and wide-leg patchwork denim pants. Their right arm is bent, behind them, and their left arm drapes at their side. Bits and pieces of their tattoos are exposed on their arms and belly. Behind Keimi, there are two low concrete walls with breezeblocks, each with notable patches of the invasive English Ivy plant, providing some lush glossy green surfaces in the image.

Why is this event taking place?

While many events and networks are inclusive of trans, non-binary and agender people there are questions and discussions unique to these community members and their experiences. Pride at Work Canada seeks to create space for professional and job-seeking trans, non-binary and agender people to find support from and make connections with one another. We hope to be responsive to the needs and suggestions expressed by our attendees as this feedback helps to shape future events.

Who should attend?

The purpose of this event is to provide space for folks who identify as trans, non-binary and agender. There is no desire to monitor anyone’s gender or create barriers to entry. If you come to this event you will be welcome. While the support of people who identify as allies to trans people and communities is always appreciated please remember that the best support sometimes comes in the form of leaving space for people to connect around their shared identities and lived experiences.

Who can answer my questions about the event?

Please direct questions about this event to Iyol Martinez (they/them), Leadership Programs Coordinator at iyol.martinez@prideatwork.ca. You may also contact events@prideatwork.ca with questions about any Pride at Work Canada events and activities.

Accessibility

• Captioning provided by 3 Play Media Canada
• If you have any accessibility requests please email iyol.martinez@prideatwork.ca with requests by March 1, 2024

Limited number of participants in this free networking event for trans, non-binary and agender people.