Today we’re featuring Breannah Alexander Oppenhuizen, a racial equity and justice practitioner based in East Lansing Michigan. Here’s what she had to say about her work, her escape to nature, and her relationship to rest.
I am originally from Saginaw, Michigan where I had the opportunity to learn first hand about civil rights and advocating for the disenfranchised from a community of folks who were a part of the great migration north – of which my family was also a part of by way of Mississippi. Professionally my work focuses on building systems and creating infrastructure for racial equity and justice. I do this through my work as the Director of LEAD programs at Michigan Disability Rights Coalition and as the founder of Women Revamped, a nonprofit organization focused on investing in women of color and gender expansive people of color.
On Getting Away
It felt good to take time and disconnect. As a parent, especially during COVID, opportunities to truly rest are few and far between. I am deeply fortunate to have a community of folks around me who create opportunities for me to rest, disconnect and refresh.
On Rest
Rest is something that I’ve often neglected – I think nonprofit culture has codified a sense of wear as virtuous. Having spent my entire career in the sector I have internalized the “run yourself into the ground as proof of hard work and success” and the last 5 years I have worked to untangle myself from that web. It is still a lot of work to make time for rest while chasing grant opportunities, organizing in a pandemic reality and raising children. I cherish the rare occasions where I can sleep in or wake up on my own terms – May 2022 bring more of that and less of the strain.
In need of your own escape? Book your Getaway today.