Speaker Series

Summer Speaker Series

Black Lives Matter
Tuesday, July 28, Noon-1:30p.m.

Please join the Associated Students of Foothill College for our next  Black Lives Matter event in honor of the beloved life and legacy of courageous Civil Rights leader Congressman John Lewis (Feb. 21, 1940-July 17, 2020).

 

About Guest Speaker Shantá Franco-Clausen

You will hear from our amazing guest lecturer Shantá Franco-Clausen, otherwise known as "Shay," who will rock your world! The one and only Shay is a Black Lives Matter (BLM) activist who speaks with great passion and purpose. She brings down the house and is sure to tug on your heart strings with her culture, charm, compassion and care for community! Her unique perspective as an African American member of the LGBTQ community with Latina roots will help you think outside the box about yourself and others.

Also, her situation becomes even more unique as she is married to a woman of color (WOC) Police Officer who is studying law and gives her time supporting incarcerated members with legal support. She aims to create hope by revealing her intersectionality. In turn, your brain and then body will hopefully be more open in regards to your role in the BLM movement. Shay speaks to the work and advocacy anyone with desire could attempt. She brings her victorious voice and representation to intersectionality while focusing on equity and empowerment for all.

She is known near and far as a fierce, strong, dynamic powerhouse, who works tirelessly to create a voice of the voiceless in Santa Clara County. Shay has been a community organizer for the last 15 years, leading community, beach and creek cleanups, advocating for environmental social justice, mentoring youth, advocating for justice-involved women and girls, and running political campaigns.

"Her energy and passion is contagious," is what many say about Shay, because her passion is shown in her undeniable advocacy and leadership. Shay's leads to create stronger, comprehensive legislation outcomes for marginalized and oppressed communities and was instrumental in two California legislation victories; Senate Bill 273, Authored Senator Susan Rubio, "Expanding the Statute of Limitations on felony Domestic Violence" and protecting 1,000 acres of California's most threatened pieces of land in Coyote Valley.

In her spare time, Shay has been elected to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, while also serving as Director of Gender and Equity for the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee, Adult Advisor for California High School Democrats, Chair of the Santa Clara County Commission on the Status of Women, Chair of the Justice and Advocacy Committee, Board Member and Chair of the San Jose Evergreen Bond Oversight Committee and Board Member Save By Nature. Shay is also a mother of five children with her wife and a local Bay Area DJ.

"I am just trying to be the women I wished I would have met at 14" Shay says, because gaining knowledge and influence to change outcomes for her community, is the impetus to her advocacy."