TESTIMONIALS

What others are saying about us

TESTIMONIALS

What others are saying about us

What I enjoyed about this program is that I felt empowered to step out and take action. That’s been the most valuable part. I’ve been in other programs where I’ve been doing some work. You have these ah-ha moments where you stumble on some information and say, “Oh, I didn’t realize that.” I was always left feeling helpless. In this program, with a project, I really was able to put some feet to the work and to the discoveries. I feel much more empowered to step out and do something to help and to change.

Bernadette S.

The program was a powerful opportunity to shift from learning about antiracism to practicing allyship. The excellent facilitation, curriculum and group work primed my thinking and inspired plans to engage the congregation I serve, in recognizing how our own bias perpetuates racism. The project we’re envisioning will deepen our members’ understanding of racism’s toxic effects, with a goal of advancing antiracist work in the local community with a generous financial gift.

Kurt C.

I feel more confident in having a discussion with people when the subject of racism is brought up with individuals or in a group. The discussions in our group were very meaningful to me especially because we are from different parts of the country having different experiences and educational backgrounds. My work will be in supporting POC having access to parks and green areas and being in the outdoors.

Phyllis G.

What I enjoyed about this program is that I felt empowered to step out and take action. That’s been the most valuable part. I’ve been in other programs where I’ve been doing some work. You have these ah-ha moments where you stumble on some information and say, “Oh, I didn’t realize that.” I was always left feeling helpless. In this program, with a project, I really was able to put some feet to the work and to the discoveries. I feel much more empowered to step out and do something to help and to change.

Bernadette S.

I feel more confident in having a discussion with people when the subject of racism is brought up with individuals or in a group. The discussions in our group were very meaningful to me especially because we are from different parts of the country having different experiences and educational backgrounds. My work will be in supporting POC having access to parks and green areas and being in the outdoors.

Phyllis G.

The program was a powerful opportunity to shift from learning about antiracism to practicing allyship. The excellent facilitation, curriculum and group work primed my thinking and inspired plans to engage the congregation I serve, in recognizing how our own bias perpetuates racism. The project we’re envisioning will deepen our members’ understanding of racism’s toxic effects, with a goal of advancing antiracist work in the local community with a generous financial gift.

Kurt C.

We are a company who has provided various DE&I programs to our colleagues, so I was not positive if the participants would commit to the time associated with the program or get much out of it. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. The feedback provided to our Leadership Team regarding the program reflected that: 1. participants wished they could have been in the program longer than 7 weeks, 2. the breadth and depth of the materials and content certainly exceeded the effectiveness of our other corporate DE&I programs and 3. the racial equity projects solidified their commitment to continued growth as a White Ally. I can’t speak highly enough about this program; it can and will make a difference and was very successful in a corporate setting.

Mara C.

I was young when the Civil Rights Movement was at its peak in the 1960’s. I truly believed that discrimination in this country was settled back then, and there really wasn’t any more work to be done. It has been an eye-opener to me to understand that this is not the case. I have lived most of my life with blinders on, not understanding or acknowledging the underlying racism in our country. I have broadened my views from reading the recommended literature, watching the videos, and participating in the small group discussions.

Kathy S.

I have been on a journey to understand racism for some years. I have heard the stories of individual black people and they are devastating. After taking several online classes, Unpacking 2.0 on zoom seemed to be the next step for me, and I’m so glad I enrolled! The small group dynamic was intimate and sharing came fairly easy for most of us. The most powerful component is choosing a racial equity project to continue our growth beyond the class. There are so many ways that white people can engage in racial justice! Unpacking Racism 2.0 is a powerful tool for white people asking, “As a white person, what can I do?” Sign up for the next program!

Mary R.
older white woman smiling looking at computer with glasses on next to white man with suit and tie on

I initially signed up for this program because I knew I had blind spots and wanted to address them. Our office has an unconscious bias training where we were asked to identify the five people that are in our closest and most trusted network, excluding family. My list? Five women, all white, all in their 30s and all college educated. Hence, the blind spots. This program brought forth facts and history that I simply cannot unhear, unsee or stop caring about. Every week this program left me with an unsettling feeling and an energetic weight. This program truly changed my life and has brought great awareness, not only within myself but the people around me. I have a lot of work to do personally but this felt like a massive step in the right direction and my life will be forever changed because of it.

Anne G.

Thank you for this tremendously valuable learning opportunity! This program fulfilled my expectations. I found great value in our weekly, small group meetings where our vulnerabilities and experiences could be explored and shared in a nonjudgemental and supportive space. Our facilitator skillfully presented us with challenging questions and concepts, then patiently guided us to give voice to our thoughts in response. I was truly saddened at the conclusion of our final session. My journey on this challenging path to promote racial equity is just beginning. It’s comforting to know there are supportive individuals and organizations like yours on this path. I pray for courage, humility and an open mind and heart to continue in this sacred work.

Maureen K.

I honestly did not know what to expect but it was far greater than anything I could have imagined. I learned so much about the Black community that I thought I already knew. Our facilitator made us feel very comfortable in our “safe space” to talk about uncomfortable topics. We laughed, we cried and we got angry about the racial inequities that go far beyond what we thought existed. I have become very much more aware of my whiteness and am striving every day to become a better ally through knowledge and experience. We were all tasked with creating an individual Racial Equity Project in order to continue our work. I will be seeking out black-owned businesses to frequent along with continuing my education on Black History. Our group was sad when the program ended and wanted to continue the discussion.

Gretchen H.

Everyone in the group learned about their own [white] “fragility,” leaned into the truth of systemic racism in our country and committed to becoming an ally. My neighborhood even conducted two Walks for Social Justice during this period, meeting Black neighbors who shared their stories of racial injustice and welcomed the allyship of their white neighbors. We then created an ongoing FaceBook group so we can stay informed and continue our work. The group also held a Writing for Race Equity campaign, sending over 100 postcards to our elected officials calling for the end of police brutality. We look forward to continuing to do this work.

Joy P.

We are a company who has provided various DE&I programs to our colleagues, so I was not positive if the participants would commit to the time associated with the program or get much out of it. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. The feedback provided to our Leadership Team regarding the program reflected that: 1. participants wished they could have been in the program longer than 7 weeks, 2. the breadth and depth of the materials and content certainly exceeded the effectiveness of our other corporate DE&I programs and 3. the racial equity projects solidified their commitment to continued growth as a White Ally. I can’t speak highly enough about this program; it can and will make a difference and was very successful in a corporate setting.

Mara C.

I was young when the Civil Rights Movement was at its peak in the 1960’s. I truly believed that discrimination in this country was settled back then, and there really wasn’t any more work to be done. It has been an eye-opener to me to understand that this is not the case. I have lived most of my life with blinders on, not understanding or acknowledging the underlying racism in our country. I have broadened my views from reading the recommended literature, watching the videos, and participating in the small group discussions.

Kathy S.

I have been on a journey to understand racism for some years. I have heard the stories of individual black people and they are devastating. After taking several online classes, Unpacking 2.0 on zoom seemed to be the next step for me, and I’m so glad I enrolled! The small group dynamic was intimate and sharing came fairly easy for most of us. The most powerful component is choosing a racial equity project to continue our growth beyond the class. There are so many ways that white people can engage in racial justice! Unpacking Racism 2.0 is a powerful tool for white people asking, “As a white person, what can I do?” Sign up for the next program!

Mary R.
older white woman smiling looking at computer with glasses on next to white man with suit and tie on

I initially signed up for this program because I knew I had blind spots and wanted to address them. Our office has an unconscious bias training where we were asked to identify the five people that are in our closest and most trusted network, excluding family. My list? Five women, all white, all in their 30s and all college educated. Hence, the blind spots. This program brought forth facts and history that I simply cannot unhear, unsee or stop caring about. Every week this program left me with an unsettling feeling and an energetic weight. This program truly changed my life and has brought great awareness, not only within myself but the people around me. I have a lot of work to do personally but this felt like a massive step in the right direction and my life will be forever changed because of it.

Anne G.

I initially signed up for this program because I knew I had blind spots and wanted to address them. Our office has an unconscious bias training where we were asked to identify the five people that are in our closest and most trusted network, excluding family. My list? Five women, all white, all in their 30s and all college educated. Hence, the blind spots. This program brought forth facts and history that I simply cannot unhear, unsee or stop caring about. Every week this program left me with an unsettling feeling and an energetic weight. This program truly changed my life and has brought great awareness, not only within myself but the people around me. I have a lot of work to do personally but this felt like a massive step in the right direction and my life will be forever changed because of it.

Anne G.

Thank you for this tremendously valuable learning opportunity! This program fulfilled my expectations. I found great value in our weekly, small group meetings where our vulnerabilities and experiences could be explored and shared in a nonjudgemental and supportive space. Our facilitator skillfully presented us with challenging questions and concepts, then patiently guided us to give voice to our thoughts in response. I was truly saddened at the conclusion of our final session. My journey on this challenging path to promote racial equity is just beginning. It’s comforting to know there are supportive individuals and organizations like yours on this path. I pray for courage, humility and an open mind and heart to continue in this sacred work.

Maureen K.

I honestly did not know what to expect but it was far greater than anything I could have imagined. I learned so much about the Black community that I thought I already knew. Our facilitator made us feel very comfortable in our “safe space” to talk about uncomfortable topics. We laughed, we cried and we got angry about the racial inequities that go far beyond what we thought existed. I have become very much more aware of my whiteness and am striving every day to become a better ally through knowledge and experience. We were all tasked with creating an individual Racial Equity Project in order to continue our work. I will be seeking out black-owned businesses to frequent along with continuing my education on Black History. Our group was sad when the program ended and wanted to continue the discussion.

Gretchen H.

Everyone in the group learned about their own [white] “fragility,” leaned into the truth of systemic racism in our country and committed to becoming an ally. My neighborhood even conducted two Walks for Social Justice during this period, meeting Black neighbors who shared their stories of racial injustice and welcomed the allyship of their white neighbors. We then created an ongoing FaceBook group so we can stay informed and continue our work. The group also held a Writing for Race Equity campaign, sending over 100 postcards to our elected officials calling for the end of police brutality. We look forward to continuing to do this work.

Joy P.