Understand allyship and solidarity
Build a stronger understanding of what solidarity and allyship mean in practice.
Evidence-based principles of solidarity and how to respond from a place of genuine support rather than performativity.
About this Talk
Over the last few years, a surge in media coverage about discrimination and hate crimes has led to more conversations about how to support targeted groups. However, many people still feel uncertain about what to do or how to help effectively.
In this session, Dr. Drexler Ortiz provides evidence-based principles of solidarity, aiming to educate attendees on how to respond from a place of genuine support rather than performativity. Participants will build a stronger understanding of allyship, recognize what weakens impact, and leave with clearer guidance on how to take effective, meaningful action against discrimination with integrity and usefulness.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Attendees leave with practical, evidence-based skills they can apply immediately.
Build a stronger understanding of what solidarity and allyship mean in practice.
Gain foundational insight into the values and behaviours that underpin meaningful solidarity.
Identify what weakens impact and how performative allyship differs from real support.
Leave with guidance on how to respond to take more informed, consistent, and accountable action in support of others.
SESSION BREAKDOWN
The session begins by clarifying what solidarity means and how it differs from symbolic, reactive, or performative responses.
Participants explore how solidarity principles apply to real-world events, social movements, and workplace dynamics.
This section focuses on how individuals and organizations can take more informed, consistent, and accountable action in support of others.
Your Speaker
Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Drexler Ortiz is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, researcher, and speaker with expertise in mental health, inclusivity and anti-racism, and culturally responsive care. His work is grounded in supporting marginalized communities and helping organizations build more inclusive, psychologically safe environments.
Dr. Ortiz completed both his Master of Science and PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Victoria and is a Licensed Psychologist in British Columbia. His academic has centred on the experiences and mental health of immigrant communities and has been recognized through research fellowships, peer-reviewed publications, and academic conference presentations. In his clinical work, he primarily supports marginalized communities, including immigrants, Indigenous Peoples, and queer-identifying individuals across British Columbia. He also flies into rural communities to deliver services in underserved areas. His previous work with the Integrating Mobile Police and Crisis Team involved evaluating the effectiveness of police officers in reducing criminality in the context of mental health calls, giving him valuable insight into systems-level mental health response. Dr. Ortiz also brings extensive experience in education, consultation, and community engagement. Through his work with a non-profit organization serving BIPOC communities and in preschool support services with the Edmonton School Board, he has delivered workshops for teachers and parents on parenting and child development through a culturally sensitive lens. He is also a member of the Canadian Council of Professional Psychology Programs Anti-Racism Task Force, where he helps develop anti-racism, anti-oppression, reconciliation, and solidarity frameworks for clinicians.
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