It’s time you considered it for yourself or someone you know.
There are not enough words to express what facilitating these journeys have meant to me and my family. When George Floyd was murdered, my oldest son, Jabari called me clearly hurt and confused. He asked me, “Mom, what can we do about this?” I told him it is really hard, and it will take a long time to dismantle this racist system, but here’s what I’m doing. On The Matter of Race. He immediately sent it to a friend, a young white male from work who saw the value immediately and signed up for an interview. He turned out to be a great addition to the journey.
My youngest son, Nai’im who lives here with me has heard me facilitating week after week and a couple of months ago he asked me, “What are you teaching them? I would love to sit in and find out.” I asked the groups how they felt and they were thrilled to have him, but wondered if he would be open to a Q&A. Those Q&A sessions were so powerful. He and I added a night with the two of us, mother and son talking real and uncensored about growing up Black in America. His response afterwards… “this gives me hope.”
It’s not easy for me to facilitate these 6-month journeys. It hurts immeasurably to see the images and the content of our history, to hear White people dig deep into their own upbringing, beliefs and actions and come to grips with the ways in which they have upheld or perpetrated racism. But it is worth it to see their growth. Clearly something is working. It is two and a half years later since the first journey and nearly everyone who has just finished up a journey is re-investing in their growth by moving on to the next level.
Now it’s your turn. Maybe it’s you that needs it or maybe it’s someone you know. People of color, I’ll be honest, some of my friends who are White could benefit greatly from this journey and I’ll bet you have some too. Level 1 is open for 12 courageous White people who really want to do the work.
Your Personal Invite – A transformational group experience by invitation only.
On the Matter of Race: For White People Committed to Beginning the Journey Together
A life changing experience facilitated by Lynne Maureen Hurdle, Conflict Resolution Strategist, Leadership Coach, Author, TEDx Speaker, Facilitator, African American Woman and Mom. That’s Me!
Many White people were brought up to believe that talking about race was impolite and that if you just treat people nicely then that is what matters.
Well, the truth is… It’s nice that you are nice, that is important. But… Being Nice Is Not Going to Do Anything to Solve Racism.
My On The Matter of Race journey has stimulated many deep and introspective conversations about racism. The kinds of conversations that most White people just aren’t having.
The opportunity for White people to talk about racism with other White people facilitated by me has proven to be an important and game-changing journey for all of us.
We are opening up our next Level 1 group of no more than 12 White people who are ready to do the work of learning, self-examination, having the difficult conversation and taking action around racism.
Those who have been in an On The Matter of Race Journey have a lot to say about it. I’ve captured a few of their comments here…
“Lynne’s ability to model compassionate yet clear responses to the variety of white points of view / questions voiced in our group was a revelation to me. I am learning to pause, to practice responding rather than reacting. I am learning how to listen with the intention of understanding, rather than the intention of “being right.” This is impacting the quality of my conversations with others who don’t understand or believe in systemic racism. “ – Level 1 2020 participant
“I feel (of course) like I’ve only scratched the surface – but having a space to ask the ‘stupid’ questions – and having a mentor like Lynne to both provide grace and empathy but also call things as she sees them (and explain) and being willing to share her lived experience felt like a safe, secret window into a world I don’t (and probably will never) fully understand.“ – Level 1 2019 participant
“We all need to find ways to learn about whiteness and systemic racism — and this course will give you structure and guidance to keep you on the path.” – Level 1 2019 participant
This group is for YOU if:
- You have started to educate themselves about race in America and want to take that journey further with other like-minded White people.
- You have just begun a personal journey on unpacking race and privilege in their own lives and are committed to learning about it and want to find their voice in order to speak up in their own circles (family, work, relationships or community).
- You really want to speak up on race but are afraid to ask questions because they don’t know what they don’t know and are terrified of offending people of color.
- Are in leadership positions who are responsible for a team or have a social media presence and want to speak up about race and diversity.
- You are raising children and want to begin to have honest conversations with them about race.
- You are a White person who is committed to taking action with the knowledge gained in this group and working on their specific way to use their voice or platform.
- You know that when it comes to racism, you as a White person have to do so much more than you are doing now.
This 6-month intimate group experience includes:
- Two 90-Minute Meetings each month on Zoom starting on January 17th
- One 30 minute 1 to 1 session with Lynne
- Live facilitation by Lynne Maureen Hurdle
- Opportunities for you to ask questions about race in a safe, non-judgemental space
- Plus! You’ll be part of a Private Facebook Group for continued conversation and community support between calls!
- And it’s limited to no more than 12 people (again, by invitation and interview only).
Visit the website for all the details here.
Being Part of this Group Will Take Courage… And commitment.
That is why it is by invitation only and I am hopping on Zoom with every applicant to make sure that the right group of people come together for this important work.
I am hoping that YOU are one of the 12.
In Love,
Lynne
