what is the unlearning community school?

a third space for learning liberatory cultural and political education

  • addressing community-identified needs using decolonial pedagogy

  • emphasizing learning through community-led peer and intergenerational mentorship

Restorative Justice

REVOLUTIONIZING RELATIONSHIPS

  • Critical Positionality

  • Conscious Relationship Building

    • Communication Styles (Levels of Listening)

    • Navigating conflict (Clarify, Connect, Choose)

    • Holding boundaries for Accountability

    • Unlearning Practices

a community-based capacity-building organization

  • cultivating durable skills needed in community building, relational awareness, and collective responsibility

mission

Activate and cultivate 3rd spaces for liberatory education across communities of practice focused on restorative justice, transformative justice, and healing justice.

Vision

Community coalitions in 3rd spaces addressing community-identified needs by integrating liberatory education through restorative justice, transformative justice, and healing justice.

Transformative Justice

RECKONING & RESISTANCE

  • Pyramid of Hate

  • 4 I’s of Oppression

  • Intersectionality

  • Community Cultural Wealth

RETURN & RECONNECTION

  • Forms of Colonialism, Colonization & Decolonization

  • Integrating Indigenous knowledge systems & practices

hEALING Justice

REGENERATIVE RECLAMATION

  • Roles & tools of cycle breakers

  • From Trauma-Informed Care to Healing-centered Engagement

  • Historical & Intergenerational Trauma + Lineage Gifts/Power

  • Activating and cultivating Liberatory Communities of Practice

testimonials from community

  • The key reflections that I got from this event is just how important it is for us to share how we feel connected to one another, our stories, our creativity, and ultimately our light. This was the second time in my life ever I shared poetry as a writer, and at one point in my life I believed I would never share my work: that it was too personal. However, through this experience I was able to identify that each and every one of us has the ability to make an impact on another person by simply sharing their reflection of life onto the world. In addition I’ve had the privilege to learn such beautiful concepts and perspectives that are gold when it comes to self care, finding yourself, and navigating this world within these times.This experience adhered to my need for community navigating a hard time interpersonally and politically. I left feeling rejuvenated, hopeful, optimistic, and overall extremely happy and joyful.

    Chloe, on the Spread Your Light event

  • This event felt safe and warm but also exciting, new, and bold. I simultaneously felt comforted but also inspired to grow and push myself outside of my comfort zone. It was wonderful to see familiar faces to continue to grow in community with those, but also deeply important to be in a space that fostered new connections and meeting others who are aligned in similar ways. The food was wonderful, the sharing of art was beautiful, but the sense of community and the awkward/not so awkward lulls during the in-between times where we got to converse with the random person cuddled on the pillow and blanket next to us is really what made the event so special.

    Imani, on the Spread Your Light event

  • It is very hard for me to limit my highlights down to a few experiences because the entire event was amazing but I think the chant was a great part of the event as well as the auntie Oracle session. Food is also a great way to bring people together and share different parts of ourselves with each other so I was really appreciative of all the yummy snacks. I would absolutely recommend this event to some in my community. I believe everyone has a light to share but only some are willing to find that light and share it with others and so I believe it is important to protect a space as sacred as this. I have light to share and there are people out there who will be receptive of that. I also learned that I love being surrounded by others who love to share their light as well.

    Cullen, on the Spread Your Light event

Christine, drawing from Spread Your Light event

Marielle, artist hightlight from Spread Your Light event

“One major highlight was being able to get to know the artists even deeper with the follow up questions. It’s pretty special that the event coordinators held space for each of us in community spaces where the artist aren’t just given the platform to share their [work] but also to feel safe enough to be vulnerable and connect to the audience. 

Some key reflections to takeaway is that the light that shines through you will and always will be reflected back. I felt so strongly that I was divinely guided to this space as it has been sort of a vision of mine to share my music authentically. To have given the opportunity to experience reciprocal, open hearted, and like minded individuals who hold space for me and unconditionally is a valuable gift. 

I’d be interested in going to another Unlearning community event because I just know that this vessel holds so much sacred wisdom and knowledge that I feel I could really benefit from both mentally and physically. I would recommend this space to others because it truly was cup fulfilling ad realigned my view on what it means to be in a community that honors everyone’s gifts and experiences in a way that makes them feel seen and heard.”