We are available to lead a variety of interactive leadership development workshops that deal with issues of power, privilege and dismantling oppression. Our trainers are experienced popular educators and community organizers or activists. We work in multi-racial, multi-generational teams. The workshops are tailored to the specific demographics and desires of any age group. They are based on a popular education model that includes relating personal issues to the larger economic and political context, interaction, reflection, skills transfer and action. Please contact us to discuss rates and other logistics about the workshops. Let’s make change together!

1. Storycatchers and Change-makers - In an intergenerational setting, we train community members to gain the skills needed to record interviews and create public presentations about change-makers and local unsung s/heroes in their communities.

2. Power, Privilege and Taking on Oppression - Workshop participants will leave with an analysis of systems of privilege and oppression with an understanding of how it impacts their personal and community life. The workshop focuses on an action component and inspires people to step into their power and make change.

3. Story Circles and Community Dialogues - The Story Circle process is used for a wide variety of purposes that rely on deep communication and exchange to mediate conflict, elicit creative group thinking, and strengthen respect and relationships within small groups. Dialogue, taught and practiced well, intentionally seeks respectful understanding and a shared sense of meaning by listening deeply, unpacking assumptions, inquiry and reflection, suspending judgment, and creative collective thinking.

4. Ancestors in Training—The ABC’s of Community Organizing - This leadership development workshop teaches the basics of effective activism, advocacy and grassroots organizing strategies. From creating community allies, to identifying local levers of power, to running a good meeting—participants leave with fresh, concrete skills to put to work.

5. The Intersections of Race, Class, Gender and Other Identities—The Power of Our Full Selves - We unpack the layers of “isms” that affect us all, no matter our position in society. Through exercises geared toward the specific identities of workshop participants, we learn to engage fully with mind, body and spirit for social change.

6. Grassroots Meets City Hall—Becoming Effective Social Change Advocates - The ABC’s of public policy advocacy from the grassroots perspective. Learn how local communities can more effectively drive grassroots demands for fairness, equality and our basic human rights.

7. Mad, Mad, Media—Taking Charge of Media for Social Justice - Learn all about messaging, framing, guerilla media, influencing traditional media, planning press conferences and more. This workshop is tailored to meet your group’s needs.

8. Yes, You Can! Training New Trainers - The ultimate in leadership development! This workshop is for those who feel called to step fully into a training and facilitating role. Work with Heirs Project team members to gain the skills and steady support you need to carry on the work in your community.