what is the unlearning community school?

Working with Maio and the Unlearning Community School was a transformative experience for our team. Maio’s facilitation was deeply rooted in healing-centered, relational learning that honored our identities and encouraged us to question inherited power structures while co-creating meaning together, the workshop design felt intentional, culturally grounded, and deeply human. What stood out most was Maio’s ability to blend critical analysis with compassion, meeting us exactly where we were while inviting us into collective growth. Since the workshop, we’ve seen tangible shifts in how we show up with each other, communicate, and integrate Healing Justice principles into our work with TAY, strengthening internal relationships and enriching the supportive culture we want to cultivate. We are grateful for Maio’s presence, guidance, and ongoing collaboration as we continue building toward collective healing and liberation.

-Francesca, Executive Director

When Maio joined the Change Collective for the 2025 National Change Lab in Baltimore, they led 25 of our leaders in exercises to consider what they bring to the ‘potluck’- or the table to build a more pluralistic and intertwined future through storytelling. What Maio was able to highlight in this session, titled “Pluralism in Practice: Storytelling Potluck,” was that we all have stories, loved ones, and gifts we bring to the table of society – knowing what you offer and what the other people in your community need is an integral part of pluralism and community. Participants left with a better understanding of their needs to continue doing work that improves the lives of people in their communities, and even what they might be able to give each other to fill the gaps! Maio’s energy makes them a dynamic presenter and their curiosity, compassion, and openness create a safe energy in the room for participants to access vulnerability and share their own stories. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work with Maio leading up to and at our National Lab, and I know that our Members have taken the lessons learned with them for the long term! 

-Kinzie, Director of Learning Design and Membership

Maio’s ability to reframe deeply ingrained patterns of thinking so they can be worked through and transformed has helped accelerate my ability to self-heal. I appreciate Maio's authenticy and depth of presence that's able to hold all of my complexities as I moved through deeper understandings within myself.  The mentorship provided a supportive, relational practice that honors shared values i.e. it doesn't have to be transactional and can meet both parties where they're at.  As someone who also feels called to subvert the current paradigm of what knowledge is centered, this opportunity has both nourished my inner growth and my outward goals of being of service to underserved communities particularly TAY.

-Pia, Transitional Age Youth and Community Advocate

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