Testimonials about SiOP
”As part of the inaugural year of the TLC fellowship, I’m honored to participate in envisioning subsequent years and witness the emergent thought going forward. I have focused on my own personal growth through self-examination and relationship deepening. The facilitation of the fellowship stands out not only my memory, but is exemplary among others. And as such, I have accepted opportunity after opportunity to improve my ability to learn deeper from others. The curriculum is flexible and responsive and our group. We are gracefully facilitated through the nuances of our diverse perspectives and complex decisions.
Jordan GarciaCo-Executive Director, American Friends Service Committee
I feel a renewed commitment to creating the type of change that serves our many communities and creates a space that I can feel both proud and inspired. Our success in the midst of such a challenging time cannot go unnoticed. The integrity of the process that led us here is the result of hard work and the ability to graciously admit set backs and creatively problem solve to achieve the end goals. We found that only together, with each of us contributing our invaluable skills, could we triumph. Together we brought many people and communities together to work toward a vision, but a vision realized.
”I was invited to participate in the first Standing in Our Power Transformational Retreat. I went to the retreat not knowing what to expect, knowing only that I needed a space to process, heal, and release all that was weighing me down. I was at a major crossroad in my academic and professional life. What I experienced was a sacred space, a safe space, designed to challenge me to reflect, and release. I was supported by the women in that group to share in a vision where my gifts, talents, time, and passion shaped a New World— one more equitable for women of color – for our families and their communities. I emerged from that gathering with a whole new set of tools and practices. I became a part of the vast network of women who shared in a commitment to heal in order to lead and create change.
Leslie Grant-Spann
”For nearly 20 years, I have engaged in movement building work. As a queer leader of color, I can honestly say the Transformative Leadership for Change fellowship in Colorado (facilitated by SiOP) is the first space where I’ve experienced collective healing and liberation. I’ve been pushed to exercise vulnerability and share my story as a path towards deepening trust and building solidarity with leaders of colors in my community. While many other executive leadership development programs focus on skills, SiOP understands that the challenges facing leaders of color are complex and require a commitment to healing from internalized oppression to build the power we need to win!
Crystal Middlestadt Executive Director, Chinook Fund
