Earned wages are going down, but the cost of living continues to climb. This is the sad reality for the majority of Americans. But at UFE’s Training of Trainers, we hold space for liberatory conversations to be born between the majority and the minority.
Our second ever cohort of trainers in our new NC Training Network came to Charlotte from cities and towns all across North Carolina, representing 8 different organizations. These included the Fight for Fifteen/NC Raise Up, Communication Workers of America (CWA), Carolina Jews for Justice, Just Economics of WNC, and Power Up NC.
This four-day retreat, held March 5-8, was co-facilitated by UFE staff members David Dixon, Eroc Arroyo-Montano, Riahl O’Malley, and Jeanette Huezo.
In order to continue building and supporting the movement, it is imperative to bring people together from all walks of life to collectively theorize how to defeat the oppression we all face. UFE’s unique popular education method and cross-class approach to organizing allows for those with power and/or privilege to truly hear and learn from the most marginalized groups within society.
Be sure to check out the full photo story below!
|
At our Training of Trainers, attendees are encouraged to make use of the beautiful surroundings as often as needed. Four days of intense race, gender and class analyses require opportunities for relaxation and decompression. |
|
UFE’s Training of Trainers provides for intentional intersectionality in order to bridge the race, gender and class divide. In order to continue building and supporting the movement, it is imperative to bring people together from all walks of life to collectively theorize how to defeat the oppression we all face. |
|
At the community alter, training attendees are invited to bring pieces of themselves to be represented. |
|
UFE’s Executive Director Jeannette Huezo can be seen taking notes during a model workshop. ToT attendees are invited to facilitate a brief popular education exercise in which they are able to further their own skills. This practice allows for personal as well as peer review. |
|
Participants break out into small groups to discuss their own unique experiences in our economy. Earned wages are going down, but the cost of living continues to climb. This is the sad reality for the majority of Americans, while a privileged minority continue to see their wealth increase. |
|
At UFE’s Training of Trainers, we hold space for liberatory conversations to be born between the majority and the minority. This approach allows for those with power and/or privilege to truly hear from the most marginalized groups within society. |
|
Director of Cultural Organizing, Eroc Arroyo-Montano, can be seen here leading a group of trainers during the model workshop. Why be relegated to a classroom when you can learn about the racial economic divide surrounded by life’s greatest teacher, nature? |
|
After four days of intense training, minds and bodies tend to be tired but spirits are always high. Thank you to everyone who made this training unforgettable! |
