a quick plug and a word of inspiration
I've loved doing workshops, keynotes and sermons this past year!
Hi! This summer I’m pretty solidly focused on providing as much pro-democracy as I can to your inbox without overwhelming you…so this is the only time I’ll put out a big “maybe you want to hire me?” plug. :)
While I’m at school, I have found that I can manage a speaking, training or workshop opportunity per month, and it not only provides me some valued income, it also really energizes and sustains me: connecting with real people working on things that matter to me is such a gift and reminds me why (and for whom) I’m studying. As you may know, I love to do keynotes at conferences and retreats on topics that range from DEI to how ancestors can help you in your justice work. You can learn more here or sign up here if your organization, non-profit, or professional conference might be interested.
I’m also delighted to preach occasionally, either online or (depending on location) in person—I’m based in Philadelphia in the fall and spring, and in the Bay in the summer. And I’m delighted to travel if you’re in a position to cover those costs. Here’s the link if me preaching is of interest to you.
I’m not in a position to do long-term contract work the way I was in 2021-2023, although if you hear of any research opportunities related to deep democracy or religious left organizing, please let me know!
I’ve had the pleasure to do some online courses with amazing and brilliant folks, on organizing, liberative Bible reading, racial justice and self-care. Those courses are “go at your own speed” with recordings and readings, so you can sign up for them right now and watch the videos as your schedule allows. During this election season, you might particularly enjoy the Faith Rooted Organizing series my colleague Deb Lee and I did.
And finally, I am always delighted to meet online with any book group that is going through one of my books if my schedule allows.
And finally, a tiny dose of inspiration…
When I first started facilitating anti-racism work about 15 years ago, one piece of pushback I got a lot was “that’s really negative language; people want to be FOR something, not just AGAINST something.” The other variation on this was “what you resist persists; what you feed grows.”
At the time I felt exhausted by this because when I said, “what’s the positive framing of anti-racism,” I’d hear “love;” or if I was really lucky, “justice.” But systemic racism is a very specific thing, and love isn’t actually the full and sufficient antonym to racism (no matter how much I love love).
It sometimes felt like people didn’t want to face the realities of racism, and I was pretty sure we weren’t going to change ANYTHING if we engaged in historical amnesia about how we got to this moment in race relations.
Language matters. It really does. And yet that criticism kept grinding me down…
...until I realized that anti-racism and anti-oppression can actually be POSITIVE. Anti-racism can be a stance FOR something. Feeding anti-racism can grow liberation and relationship and community. Paradoxically, being anti- can be very positive.
I was reminded of this a year or so ago when I met with an anti-oppression team I was coaching. They let me know that they’re hearing language in staff meetings that came up in trainings they went through with me over the previous year. The team was creating their own anti-racism content that fired up the staff. Newer staff were EXCITED to be joining an organization that prioritized anti-racism as part of their work. I recommended to them another anti-oppression consultant who helped them draft a public-facing statement or their commitments to liberation and dismantling oppression that lets clients and donors and potential board members know what they stand for. What they nourished really did grow, and is still growing.
It turns out that to be anti-racist is to be VERY positive, life-giving and visionary. I hope you get glimpses of inspiration even in the midst of your work of resisting oppression. Your work matters; give yourself the gift of remembering what you’re FOR, because what you’re for is glorious.
Oh! And as always, if you’re not already a paid subscriber, if you click the button below, it will help you do so, and I’ll be grateful. :)