Racial Healing Handbook Summer Group Study with Iyabo Onipede

Join us throughout the summer for a weekly series of conversations based on The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism & Engage in Collective Healing. We will be led by the dynamic Iyabo Onipede, keynote speaker at the Diocese of Olympia's recent faith formation mini-conference, Better Together.

The series will run on Tuesday evenings from June 1st through August 17, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Iyabo brings her experience as the co-director of the non-profit Compassionate Atlanta to bear on the work that we are committed to doing in the Episcopal Church of Western Washington. Her animated approach is direct and affirming, often poignant, sometimes funny, always insightful. (See her full bio. below.)

In addition, The Racial Healing Handbook , written by Anneliese A. Singh, Ph.D., LPC, is a powerful and practical tool for doing this work, wherever you are in the process of unpacking your experience around racial justice. It is a workbook with ample space for you to write down your reflections, starting with, "My earliest memories of race and racism" in Chapter 1 through "What is my role in racial justice change?" in Chapter 12.

The publisher says:

"This workbook breaks new ground by giving you tools that will help you as a person of color or as a White person to heal from the harm of racism you’ve faced or done and encourage others to heal from racism in the same way. As you work through the exercises in each chapter, you will explore your own race from an intentional perspective of healing, transformation, and liberation, while also learning about the possibilities for healing for other racial groups."

If you have any questions about the series, please e-mail faithformation@ecww.org

More details...

Each of these 12 weekly meetings will start with remarks from Iyabo and then we'll break into small groups to review our personal workbook progress and insights. We'll finish as a large group sharing back any a-ha moments. Here's the 12-session outline:

> June 1 (6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) - Introduction & Overview – Forming Affinity Groups/Facilitators, other logistics.

> June 8 (all remaining meetings will go from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.) - Chapter 1: Know Your Racial Identity - Explore what you know about your racial identity and what you were taught (or not taught) about race and racism.

> June 15 - Chapter 2: Explore Your Internalized Racism - Identify belief systems about race and racism that aren’t yours and develop new and more helpful thoughts and feelings.

> June 22 - Chapter 3: (Re)learn the History of Racism - Discover new knowledge and gain a new understanding about racism and how this system of oppression works.

> June 29 - Chapter 4: Grieve and Name Racism - Acknowledge the stages of grief that come with more awareness, learning, and action on racism.

> July 6 - Chapter 5: Raise Your Race-Consciousness - Learn how to act more consciously as a racial being and be a positive influence on others to do the same.

> July 13 - Chapter 6: Catch Yourself in the Flow of Racism - Understand that racism can arise in spontaneous and unexpected ways, and develop skills to interrupt these instances.

> July 20 - Chapter 7: Understand Racism in Relationships - Recognize how racism plays out in interpersonal relationships across a variety of settings and learn to identify when it is happening.

> July 27 - Chapter 8: Reclaim Your Whole Racial Self - Honor the ways you have changed and the authenticity that comes with individual racial healing.

> August 3 - Chapter 9: Be a Racial Ally - Learn ways you can help others and work for racial justice.

> August 10 - Chapter 10: Engage in Collective Racial Healing - Find ways to build circles of accountability and support for community racial healing.

> August 17 - Conclusion – Time to Dream – What Does A Racially Just World Look Like?

Iyabo Onipede...

... is a community builder who works with organizations that are ready to eliminate racism, dismantle oppressive systems and grow successful communities of belonging. Shaped by her biracial and multicultural immigrant background, Iyabo’s number one priority is dissolving the harm that BIPOC, as well as Non-BIPOC people experience as a result of racism and white supremacist culture. Iyabo graduated from Goucher College, Georgetown University Law School (J.D.) and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M.Div.). She currently serves as the co-director of the nonprofit organization, Compassionate Atlanta.

Better Together attendees wrote:

• "Iyabo Onipede was so, so good! I appreciated her clear challenge to the diocese as a body and individuals for how we can embody racial justice work, and working through the four-fold model of racism."
• "Iyabo was so personable and funny. I loved her story about finding her place, growing up. "
• "I so appreciated hearing from Jeff and Iyabo- their perspectives were refreshing and clarion-calling to us! Not necessarily easy to hear, but so important and true."

FAQ's

Q: I won't be able to participate every Tuesday since I'll be on vacation on and off this summer. Is that OK?

A: Yes, we know everyone has summer plans! Attend when you are able and, since these gatherings are on Zoom, feel free to join us from afar, internet permitting.

Q: Will these sessions be recorded?

A: We are very grateful that Iyabo has agreed to let us record her opening remarks which we plan to collect on Vimeo. Of course we will NOT be recording the small group work.

Q: How can I get a copy of the Racial Healing Handbook?

A: Either purchase it on your own or select the ticket for: Series Participant - Please send me the book, and pay $10 (credit card or check), a discounted amount for the Handbook, and the Diocese of Olympia will send you a copy. Allow 7 business days after payment is received.