Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership

The Stolen Beam Series is a 5-session course of educational engagement and personal reflection on the topic of reparations for African Americans, with a focus on the legacy of African enslavement and 400 years of anti-Black racism. We consider what was stolen, what may be owed, historical examples of reparations, current challenges and controversies, and faith-based reparations statements and examples. The class materials offer participants a fuller perspective on US history, one that many of us never learned, that centers on the historical and lived experience of African Americans. The class asks participants to consider the case for reparations as a remedy for past injustice and continued harms to descendants of enslaved African people, and as a concrete response to the ongoing racial wealth gap in this country. Finally, the Stolen Beam series offers participants an opportunity to engage heads and hearts, in a spirit of deep listening and reflection, honest and respectful sharing, that for some becomes a journey of discovery and transformation. The class offers an opportunity to study and reflect on some of the writings of prominent thought leaders on the topic of reparations for African Americans as a path to restorative justice. It reviews the case for reparations, arguments against reparations, various definitions of reparations, U.S. House Resolution 40, faith-related cases for reparations, perspectives including post-Holocaust history, and various models of reparations programs, past, present and future.

And Still We Rise is a six-month leadership forum for all people who self-identify as womxn of color leaders. As womxn of color leaders, the pressures we face are enormous. Every day, we juggle the demands of caring for our families and communities while needing to constantly establish our credibility, competence, and worth in a society that devalues and marginalizes us. We often do not have the support we need to be successful in the white supremacy structures that are embedded within the organizations/groups of which we are a part. We experience high levels of stress and burnout as we do our best to push against a concrete ceiling. And frankly… we are exhausted. Yet, our leadership is needed now more than ever. How do we stay the course without sacrificing our wellness and wholeness? How do we bring our most authentic and powerful selves to the table and lead from our unique vision and values as womxn of color? These are some of the themes we will address in And Still We Rise.

We live in our stories. Our stories give us meaning and help shape how we see our world. They are our personal mythology. But there are times when the story we live in is shaken up and no longer supports our personal and collective sense of wellbeing. It is as if the past has pushed us out and we are left anchorless and somewhat lost. We are living in such a time today, a time of turbulent unraveling in our world, as we birth a new story. In this course, you will be skillfully guided into 3 pillars of inquiry: Who are you today? Who are you seeking to become? How will you get there?.

What is Calling Out? Calling someone out is the public practice of criticizing a person or a group for something they’ve said or done that you think is politically incorrect. We all call people out by naming instances or patterns of oppressive behaviors and language used by others to seek accountability. Calling In means learning and selecting practices that invite people in for conversations with people who have different ideas about social justice work. Calling In requires a commitment to recognize and support each other’s strengths, and to consciously help expand another’s perspectives. It is about working together to find and reach shared goals for building a human rights movement.

This is a three-hour zoom workshop for adults who identify as multiracial, multiethnic, biracial, mixed, etc. We will co-create a container to explore the complexities of our experiences. Utilizing a variety of approaches such as journal-writing, embodiment exercises, pair-sharing, small- and large-group discussion, we will ask together: How do we embrace all of who we are? How do we hold the seeming contradictions when they arise? What are our unique offerings to the world? How can our wisdom bring more nuance into social justice and movement-building communities?.

We live in a time and place where to be alive and awake means that we are taking in the trauma of racial and gender inequality and hostility while facing an ecosystem under assault.

You have taken a few anti-racism workshops and have read a few books. You have gained a better understanding of how systemic and institutional racial oppression have shaped you, your life, and your life experiences. But you are unsure about what to do next.

Elections are looming and we want to use our political muscle as effectively as possible. Join Tahirah, who has run for political office and has tremendous insights and lived experience, in a workshop about what works and what does not work as we prepare for the 2024 elections. The gathering will include an open discussion about these and other questions: What helps when working on political campaigns? What is most effective? How do activists leverage our power? How do we avoid discouragement and burn-out? Expect a lively conversation, ample time for questions and back and forth sharing, and a good dose of hope, enthusiasm, and positive energy as we look to the future!

Over the years, countless movements for social and political change have relied on artists to lead the way, inspire activism, change the narrative, stimulate discussion, and offer hope. Join this interactive workshop as Leti facilitates learning about the creative power of the arts and the artists inspiring change during difficult and politically-charged times. Together the group will share the music, dance, poetry, painting, and other art forms being created now that are moving you, and the art forms you are working on that sustain your activism. So bring ideas, questions, examples, and a creative spirit! All are welcome!

In the face of uncertainty and unrest, resting is a radical act toward racial justice. Join health psychology professor Benita Jackson to explore rest as a catalyst toward building leadership for an inclusive, sustainable society – that is, BLISS. After remarks about what rest is and is not, she will invite participants to connect with their own experience using the Daring to Rest method – a profoundly healing practice that involves resting one’s nervous system and plugging in to the personal power that fuels collective healing. Counterintuitively to those of us in the belly of the Achievement Machine who have been trained for doing, “simply being” is a sometimes uncomfortable, yet crucial, step in initiating and sustaining social transformation. Come be radical and close your eyes in community for as much of this workshop as you can muster. Wear comfortable clothing.

On this day, the Winter Solstice, Strong Oak will guide the group through the basic tenets of Circle Practice. The class will focus on learning by doing. Under Strong Oak's gentle and skillful leadership, class participants will learn about the meaning of Circle Practice, the importance of the ritual, and the deep sharing that often emerges. All this will be evident as the group engages in a Circle with Strong Oak guiding and supporting each individual and the group as a whole.