Aisha Hauser, DLL at East Shore Unitarian Church –
What does it mean when folks say, “de-centering whiteness?” Aisha Hauser, of East Shore Unitarian Church, one of the authors of the book written exclusively by religious professionals of color, will offer ways to understand how centering whiteness has affected UU communities and how we can learn to center the narratives of people of color. Presented by Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ). There will be a Q & A afterward. Join us as we all wrestle with this challenging topic.

Aisha was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and her family moved to the United States when she was a toddler, and consequently didn’t learn English until right before kindergarten. While Aisha started her professional career in the field of social work after earning a MSW from Hunter College in NYC, she quickly became involved in the religious education program in the first Unitarian Universalist congregation she attended and there found her love of religious education.

Her experience includes the position of Director of Religious Education (DRE) in two different congregations on the east coast. After her second year as DRE at First UU Church, she accepted the additional job of Urban Community Ministry Coordinator. Her dual role in the congregation afforded the opportunity to combine social justice work with religious education; an opportunity for to practice true “Faith in Action.”

During her time at both congregations, Aisha completed the Religious Education Credentialing Program at the Associate Level. She has also been active with the UU community of ministers and religious educators of color. Attending the yearly retreat entitled, “Finding Our Way Home.”

Aisha has also worked for the Unitarian Universalist Association serving as Children and Families Program Director. There she worked with on the faith development team publishing the Tapestry of Faith curriculum.  Tapestry of Faith is a holistic program that is deeply rooted in our faith, theology and social justice work. Each program for every age offers everything a UU congregation needs to grow a rich and diverse religious education program.

Aisha has been married for over twenty four years and has two children.