From Intergenerational Trauma to Healing, with Dr. Joy DeGruy
About this Event
What does healing from the legacy of slavery actually look like? In September 2026, clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Joy DeGruy comes to Amsterdam, invited by Stichting Ankaa. In her influential work Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome, she describes how centuries of slavery and structural exclusion echo through generations, and above all, how communities find their way to healing and resilience.
We're connecting her visit to Route naar Herstel (Route to Repair), the advisory report that examines how the history of slavery still plays out in Amsterdam and translates that into concrete action. The report was written by Zwart Manifest for the city of Amsterdam and has since been folded into the coalition agreement's ten point plan. Building on that experience, there is now growing interest in exploring what this approach could look like on a national level.
Where Route naar Herstel calls for healing close to home, with recognition of intergenerational trauma and room for forms of care beyond the regular Western framework, DeGruy offers the language and grounding to take that next step. From understanding intergenerational trauma to pathways toward healing, that is what this evening is about. What comes out of it will feed directly into the development of a national Route to Repair.
Natasja Slagtand will moderate the conversation. Dionne Abdoelhafiezkhan (IZI Solutions / Zwart Manifest) opens the evening with an introduction to Route naar Herstel, followed by DeGruy's keynote, a panel discussion and room for dialogue with the public.
Date? Tuesday 8 September
Time? 19:00 – 22:00 (doors 18:30)
Location? Pakhuis de Zwijger, IJzaal, Piet Heinkade 179, Amsterdam
Entry? Free, registration required
Language? English
A collaboration of The Black Archives, NiNsee, Herdenkingscomité Slavernijverleden, NCDR, Leerstoel Anton de Kom, Stichting Ankaa en Zwart Manifest.
Do you want more than one evening with the work of Dr. Joy DeGruy? Our partner Stichting Ankaa is hosting three in-depth sessions with her in Utrecht on 4, 5 and 6 September.
These sessions are catered towards practitioners, therapists, educators, activists and anyone who wants to think through the concept of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome more deeply and integrate it into their own work or life.
Utrecht:
Friday 4 September — Symposium | 15:00 – 21:00
Saturday 5 September — Focus group (general) | 10:00 – 15:30
Sunday 6 September — Focus group (professionals) | 10:00 – 15:30
These three events are organised by Stichting Ankaa.
Tickets: Students €29 | General €65 | Professionals €75
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