This training series is designed to support school leaders as well as community-based practitioners in the process of deepening their approach to restorative practices to intentionally disrupt and dismantle institutional racism in schools. The series will explore the ways in which restorative justice practices can either uphold or dismantle inequity in schools, as well as address how circles, as the central practice of a restorative model, can function as a healing, culturally responsive teaching strategy and community management model that de-centers whiteness and values the culturally authentic narrative of every community stakeholder. Collectively we’ll reimagine how RJ might create connection and liberation for young people and educators within the sociopolitical context of our times.  *Note: A prerequisite for participation is previously attending a foundational RJ training. 

This series invites educators to deepen their understandings of liberatory and humanizing practices in schools using an intersectional, anti-racist lens. This series will create space to envision how we can foster more just schools and classrooms that push back against the status quo. Sessions will explore grounding practices in culturally responsive and sustaining teaching and how to foster the critical consciousness of students as educators work to foster their own.  

On December 9, 2021 Racial Justice Strategist and Coaches, Cathleen Antoine-Abiala and Nakeeba Wauchope, curated an intentional affinity space for gathering, grieving, and healing for Black cis and trans women and Black femmes. They were be joined by four powerful panelists: Bailey Proctor, a Villanova Student Activist, Natasha Capers, the Director of the NYC Coalition for Educational Justice, Ocynthia Williams, the Co-Executive Director for the Harlem Renaissance Education Pipeline (HREP) at Abyssinian Development Corporation, and Stefani L. Zinerman, a NY State Assembly Member. 

On November 29, 2021, our Executive Director, Natalie Zwerger, hosted a community Twitter chat on how we can individually and collectively #RaisetheVolume to advance equity and racial justice in our schools and communities. Featuring Keturah Proctor, Director of DEO + District Curriculum Coordinator,  and Paul Forbes, Founder Leading with Hearts and Minds, collective wisdom and resources were shared.