HAPPENINGS
Upcoming Workshops
Somatic Abolitionism Livestream Workshops and Intensives
Register for a workshop or intensive and learn how to begin to build resilience, discernment, and the ability to tolerate discomfort that comes with confronting the brutality of race.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND INTENSIVES
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THANK YOU
NEWS
Open Hands: Rise in the Alignment of Truth
Somatic Abolitionism requires action and repeated individual and communal practice. On this platform, we collectively build resilience, discernment, and the ability to tolerate discomfort that comes with confronting the brutality of race.
Here are important happenings:
What's About to Happen:
The Quaking of America
Embodied Antiracism Practice Extinction Rebellion NYC
The climate and ecological emergency is a trauma inflicted on all beings by white supremacy. Reflexive racism and normalized systems of oppression divide people and like-missioned organizations as we struggle to meet the climate and ecological emergency that threatens us all. Our demand, Tell the Truth, is not just about the climate crisis but also about ourselves as activists in a movement grounded and founded in reflexive whiteness. Our demand for a Just Transition starts with how we show up in our organizing. In this weekly circle, we address the conditioned habits and trauma of racism. This practice is foundational to the intercultural organizing needed to address the climate crisis.
10-Book Box:
Solidarity and Activism
Our final theme for our book boxes is Solidarity and Activism. We carefully chose titles that help us to pause, take a breath, and remember everyday people from our past who have fought back against injustice. When we feel like we are powerless, these stories show us that, together, change is possible – and, in fact, we all have an important contribution to make. Books like Our History is the Future celebrate the diversity of essential roles by highlighting the cooks, teachers, musicians, and medics who made up the Standing Rock movement.
Reclaiming Us: Leadership Coaching Circle
Reclaiming Us is a coaching circle that aims to create a supportive community for women and femmes of the Asian diaspora. The program focuses on cultivating a collective space for reflection and witnessing. Together we will explore our personal histories, our inner lives, and deepen our connection to our nervous systems. This will create a foundation for greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and clarity of purpose.
Latinx Suicide Prevention: Keeping Each Other Safer in Community
A guide to surviving suicidal crisis through cultural resource, ancestral strength, and communal love.
Scholarship Fuels Art Therapy Student’s Commitment to Serve Marginalized Communities
Marital and Family Therapy/ Art Therapy student Checkwicz-Grosberg ’25 received the prestigious Educational Foundation ScholarshHannahip from California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). The scholarship, commemorating Clinton E. Phillips, is awarded to students who demonstrate high academic achievement, community and civic participation, and commitment to the field of marriage and family therapy.
Minority Mental Health Month Spotlight:
Dr. Resmaa Menakem
Join Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haigler for a profound Minority Mental Health Month spotlight featuring Dr. Resmaa Menakem, a Minneapolis-based therapist, trauma specialist, and New York Times bestselling author.
'I'm getting pulled over' iPhone shortcut records interaction with police
Add to your phone and share.
It’s very important with what is happening in this country to be proactively protecting ourselves.
Affording Your Life with Attorney General Keith Ellison
Affording Your Life with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is your podcast about fairness, justice, and consumer information to help you afford your life.
Three Black Men: A Documentary
Three Black Men is a feature documentary that follows visionaries Resmaa Menakem, Bayo Akomolafe, and Orland Bishop as they trace the transatlantic slave route in reverse. Their epic voyage takes them from Los Angeles to Salvador da Bahia in Brazil, and finally to Accra in Ghana. These destinations hold crucial pieces of Black history and representations of the forced migration, survival and demise of the millions who crossed the Atlantic.
What happened recently:
NEWS
The Stories From My Grandmother's Hands hits a #1 category new release on Amazon
Night Always Comes | Official Trailer | Netflix
Hey Everyone,
Here is the movie I worked on last year as the cultural and script. consultant for Fugitive States Media. It will be released on August 15. Thank you all for the support and love you’ve continued to show me.
– Resmaa
ANTI-INDIGENOUS RACISM DIALOGUES: JOURNEYING TOWARD RECONCILIATION
Jennifer-Lee Koble, MSW, RSW
Tanu Gamble, RCC
What does it mean to work towards reconciling relationships? We invite you to explore these questions in a 4-hour interactive and self-reflective workshop. Together we will identify and unpack key terms, discuss land acknowledgments and journey through the historical context that brings us to where we are today.
You will experience Indigenous teachings that will support you to connect your mind with your heart to enliven change in your personal & professional communities.
Friday September 26th, 2025 10am – 2pm PST
Register: [email protected]
September 24 -
October 3, 2026
ADES 2026 SUMMIT
COLONIZATION TO SOVEREIGNTY:
The Future of Educating the
African Diaspora, 2022-2032
Since 2022, close to 700 educators from across the United States and on the continent of Africa participated in the All-African Diaspora Educators Summit (ADES).
MAY 2025
Dark and Tender trailer from Ben Wilson on Vimeo
Aaron Johnson’s powerful short film “Dark and Tender” follows ten Black men on a transformative retreat with the Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project outside Seattle, WA. The men seek to reclaim platonic intimacy and tenderness through close encounters with nature and depictions of gentle Black masculinity, restoring the vital aspect of touch by replacing violence and rough play with care, connection, and intimacy.Buddhist teacher Rev. angel Kyodo williams describes her “final project,” titled “Healing Race Portal,” which will begin with an inaugural experiential event, “Being Black, Healing Black”. It will take place at The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, offering a “powerful, immersive journey through America’s history of racial injustice.”
JANUARY 2025
Georgia Peat West, known as Mother Rose, leaves lasting memories after losing battle to cancer
Georgia Peat West, known as Mother Rose, died recently after losing her battle with cancer but it’s how she lived her life and cared for others that’s leaving lasting memories and a legacy of love.
December 21, 2024
T. Mychael Rambo adds children’s book author to his resume
T. Mychael Rambo is enjoying the fruits of a long and successful career. With 40 years of experience as an educator and theater professional, he currently does motivational speaking, works on staff development in schools, and helps organizations create conversations for mediation and conflict resolution.
October 31, 2024
Watch Resmaa on KARE 11 news
MINNEAPOLIS — How much do you know about your grandma’s upbringing?
“The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands” is a book that aims to show young Black children how their grandmas lived through beautiful illustrations and descriptions.”
KARE 11 News at Noon shared more about the impact that this book will have.
October 11, 2024
Dr. Resmaa appears on The Breakfast Club
Catch the conversation on The Breakfast Club! T. Mychael Rambo and Resmaa sat down to discuss their new children’s book The Stories from Our Grandmothers’ Hands and how it helps families heal from racialized trauma.
They dive deep into the importance of intergenerational healing, honoring our grandmothers’ wisdom, and how this book blends storytelling, music, and art to guide both adults and kids on their healing journey.
September 7-10, 2024
Resmaa teams up with teacher Rev. angel Kyodo williams in “Being Black, Healing Black"
Buddhist teacher Rev. angel Kyodo williams describes her “final project,” titled “Healing Race Portal,” which will begin with an inaugural experiential event, “Being Black, Healing Black”. It will take place at The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, offering a “powerful, immersive journey through America’s history of racial injustice.”
XR NYC Embodied Antiracism Practice
The climate and ecological emergency is a trauma inflicted on all beings by white supremacy. Reflexive racism and normalized systems of oppression divide people and like-missioned organizations as we struggle to meet the climate and ecological emergency that threatens us all. Our demand, Tell the Truth, is not just about the climate crisis but also about ourselves as activists in a movement grounded and founded in reflexive whiteness. Our demand for a Just Transition starts with how we show up in our organizing. In this weekly circle, we address the conditioned habits and trauma of racism. This practice is foundational to the intercultural organizing needed to address the climate crisis.
This month's Promotions:
Sacred Land Collective
Sacred Land Collective is a spiritual partnership encompassing 78 acres of Black-owned land in the vibrant Pacific Northwest. We host, create and facilitate rituals and ceremonies that inspire community members and guests to rest, remember, gather, celebrate, transform and heal. Our practices are rooted in deep connection to the land, healing arts, collective heritage, and fostering a supportive environment for all.
Embrace tranquility at Sacred Land Collective, where nature’s wisdom fuels your journey. This retreat center invites you to rest, breathe, and celebrate your unique self. Discover the liberation of transformative space to create and connect, deepening your bond with both yourself and the natural world.
White Affinity Group Facilitator’s Course
We are now accepting registrations for the next virtual series, beginning on February 3, 2025. Details below:
In your antiracism efforts, have you considered starting, sponsoring, or moving forward with a White Affinity Group? It’s a foundational but challenging process.
That’s why my colleague Amy Burtaine and I have designed an online training course to support both new and seasoned facilitators. It’s based on our new book:
Facilitator’s Guide Book Cover
An effective white affinity group deepens awareness and prepares white people to engage constructively across race by building the skills to address:
- lack of education
- harmful racial patterns
- internalized white superiority and anti-Blackness
- difficult emotions such as guilt, confusion, and resentment
- immobilization and passivity
Seals Family Farm
A few years back, as a young family with open hearts and big dreams, we stood in the midst of a grocery store chaos caused by an EBT system glitch. That moment of uncertainty revealed to us the delicate threads holding our food system together. It was a turning point, igniting a deep-seated desire within us to tread a path of self-reliance and sustainability.
Fresh from the Field to Your TableDive into the heart of Riverdale, GA, with Seals Family Farm’s diverse offerings. Our commitment to hyperlocal food systems means every product we offer is a testament to the quality, sustainability, and community effort. From crisp vegetables to succulent fruits, every item in our selection not only feeds your family but also supports collective sustainability within our community. Community Initiatives and Events
Seals Family Farm is more than just a farm; it’s a vibrant community hub dedicated to collectively sustainable community building.
Black Farmers Index
Black Farmers Index (The Index), addresses food insecurity, food system failures and inequities in agricultural in our commitment to ensure that Black farmers and growers thrive. This is done by providing a more successful consumer-to-Black farmer pipeline, as well as, connecting agriculturalists to agencies, institutions, and salient resources that build their overall business through creative marketing, educational services, outreach and intentional community building.
The Index drives exposure to Black farmers in the following ways: a comprehensive online directory; social media promotion and short narratives; educational workshops for farmers; food-centered virtual and in-person events; curated farmer lists for individuals and institutions; carefully selected gift box highlighting food-items of growers; feature stories in news or other media outlets; data gathering and reporting; sharing stories through our farm visits; connecting farmers with business opportunities and resources; creating a robust ecosystem for farmers to connect with each other; and collaborations with organizations and companies on initiatives.
Where Do I Belong?
An Embodied Exploration of Identity & Belonging for Bi/Multicultural Bodies—2025 is the Global Nepantla
We are thrilled to announce the return of Where Do I Belong?, a transformative program for bi/multicultural individuals exploring identity, belonging, the in-between spaces we inhabit, and the disruption to the colonial project of race it can offer.
Starting February 2025, we are opening the portal to the Global Nepantla experience. This 5-month virtual program is an invitation to step into what scholar Gloria Anzaldúa calls Nepantla—a liminal space where multiple realities and experiences converge, fostering new perspectives and transformation.
Having hosted four iterations of this program across two continents, we are deeply inspired by how each unique group co-creates a living, evolving experience. This time, we’re welcoming a global cohort, bridging perspectives from the Global North and South to enrich our collective learning.
Dates: February–June 2025
Location: Online (global participation encouraged)
We are offering a 20% discount to join through January 5th, which can be applied at checkout, the codes are:
Full payment: BEL-2025
Payment plans: BEL-PLAN-2025
Best Tasting Premium Vegan Supplements – Just Move Supplements
Just Move Supplements is a Black-owned, family-run vegan supplement brand based in Houston, Texas. We create flavor-packed, high-quality products that support your wellness journey. Our carefully curated plant-based ingredients and unique, nostalgic flavors make our supplements a delicious and ethical choice. Join us in moving towards better health today.
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JoAnna Hardy Insight Meditation
JoAnna Hardy is an insight meditation (Vipassanā) practitioner and teacher; She teaches silent meditation retreats, social justice based meditation classes and workshops, youth work, online courses, and works with private students.
Thomasina’s Cashew Brittle
Thomasina’s Cashew Brittle is based in Minneapolis, MN and is a family-owned business started by sisters, Thomasina and Leslie. They began in church basements and school craft fairs and spent years on a private front yard OUTSIDE the MN State Fair. Shortly after, they were invited to be a vendor INSIDE and was recognized as one of the “Best New Foods” the following year, earning 4/4 stars by the Star Tribune!
Be Still Tea
Our mission is to help people create space to Be Still, connect with their true selves, and embrace their emotions. We’re here to support you on your journey to self-acceptance, one cup of tea at a time. Our hope is that our teas will help you illuminate your inner light, letting it shine brightly in the world.
Being still with tea has made me more present, kind, and intentional in my life. Will you join me on this transformative journey to stillness, one cup of tea at a time?
BLACK LIBERATION LAB
In the Twin Ports region of Minnesota, there are many Black artists, organizers, and organizations building better futures for Black people.
Black Liberation Lab is just one piece of the puzzle.
We are not the solution. We are only one part of the solution.
We are a platform to gather resources, knowledge, energy, and power that Black folks can utilize to build our collective movements.
Minnesota Black Collective Foundation
The Black Collective Foundation MN believes Black-led change is genius. As Minnesota’s first Black community foundation and a pioneer of culturally specific philanthropy nationwide, The Collective partners with individuals and institutions to boldly invest in organizations, leaders, systems, and ideas. Together, we are realizing a more just Minnesota where all Black people are holistically well, living in dignity and prosperity.
New Justice Project
The New Justice Project MN is a Black-led organization dedicated to creating equitable job opportunities, advocating for housing justice, reimagining community safety, and building power amongst Black Minnesotans.
Our mission is to empower those directly affected by systemic racism and drive collective liberation. We build multi-racial, multi-generational, and multi-faith coalitions, collaborating with Brown, Indigenous, and immigrant organizations to achieve meaningful and transformative change.
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