educating social change leaders
Indigenous Circle Practice is a way to listen deeply, share openly, hold silence, and transform communities. We will gather in a circle on the Autumnal Solstice sharing our feelings about this planet and the quiet turning of the Earth. Under the sensitive guidance of Strong Oak and her many years of experience with Circle Practice, …
Through personal reflection and cross-gender dialogue, we will examine the socialization of boys and men, discuss how masculinity affects all people regardless of gender, and explore the impact of gender on our work as activists. Together we will generate ideas for how to individually and collectively “unpack the man box” and dismantle patriarchy as we …
This special offering is a guided tour via the Florence African American Heritage Trail, which provides an opportunity to see the homes and historic places where a rich legacy of abolition and women’s rights resides. This Trail commemorates the Florence of the mid-1800s, when Sojourner Truth lived in this small Massachusetts community. Engaging the local …
With Election Day bearing down on us now, we are all organizing like our lives depend on the outcome – and in fact our lives MAY depend on the outcome. In these final weeks before Election Day, we need to be clear about what to do, where to put our energy, what to avoid, and …
This class will focus on the racial dimension of Donald Trump’s appeal to the white working class, which cuts across class and gender lines, highlighting issues of economic insecurity. While the Trump phenomenon has been seen as unique, it is in fact the case that his appeal to white supremacy has been a consistent feature …
This workshop offers participants the opportunity to transform the energy of fear and adversity into courage and hope. Through movement meditation, free writing, storytelling, and theater activities, unknown gifts of the Labyrinth will reveal themselves. This fear I face/ is a deeper breath I take/ is the courage I share. The gift of fear, small …
Families, school employees, students, and anyone else interested in social justice in our schools are encouraged to join this class. The class will take place at Jackson Street School. We will examine real-life classrooms and other spaces, curriculum, student work, and the complicated situations and power dynamics that play out through a variety of stories. …
The corona virus pandemic interrupted the Democratic primaries just as Joe Biden became the presumptive nominee and, at the time of this writing, we assume the candidate to oppose Donald Trump. How does this unparalleled global catastrophe affect his promise of “restoration” and the electability associated with that? What key points should become part of …
Like every other region of the world, the Middle East will be profoundly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. But given the region's pre-existing schisms and vulnerabilities, the pandemic is likely to have an especially profound impact there. For example: it has placed enormous pressure on the current leadership in Iran, added to the refugee crisis …
This workshop is designed for participants to hear and enjoy the musically gifted pianist Dr. Ruth Bass Green play selections of sacred songs and Negro spirituals that inspired and motivated the enslaved people and later Civil Rights activists to work for social justice and freedom for all. Ruth will describe the differences in the genres …
As activists we often work too much, carry worries, and push ourselves hard. Always another meeting, vigil, rally, campaign, gathering, strategy session, or march to attend! Self-care sometimes get side-lined while work gets us up early and keeps us up late. Join dancer, educator, and beautiful-spirit Miss Olivia for a time to stretch, move, dance, …
Building a circle can bring energy, strength, healing and focus to a group, either just starting out or long standing looking for a positive change. It creates a bond and a trust not found everywhere in the world today. Circle Practice promotes understanding and creates a united approach to any goal. By gathering in this …