Using primarily the Indigenous practice of circle keeping as a means to build community mixed with traditional methods of training, our trainings are designed to establish a common vocabulary and shared understanding of values, race, racism, gender, equity and cultural understanding.
This shared understanding and analysis creates an environment where decisions, policies and practices are based on trust and being in right-relationship with members of a diverse community. With increased cultural literacy skills and a more developed racial and cultural identity, your organization will be accelerated on its journey towards becoming an anti-racist organization.
Our training offerings are built in collaboration with the stakeholders of your organizations.
Circle Training Topics:
- Anti-Racist Workplace
- Analysis of Policies and Practices
- Community Building
- Repair of Harm
- Affinity Space for White/BIPOC Staff/Leaders
- Gender Equity
- Community Engagement
- Anti-Blackness
- Internalized Racial Oppression
circle keeper
Shanene Herbert currently serves as the Racial Justice Director of YWCA-St. Paul. She has a B.A. degree in African/African American studies from the University of MN and has primarily worked in school settings and other nonprofit organizations serving St. Paul and Minneapolis communities to disrupt the cradle-to-prison pipeline.
She is a trained restorative circle keeper and has been providing support and space for adults to develop a deeper understanding of socialization, race, racism, systemic oppression and anti-blackness and the implications these things have on the trajectory of success of Black and brown communities.
Shanene has most recently authored the “38th and Chicago: White Allies in Black Mourning Spaces,” consulted with Inquilinix Unidxs Por Justicia on Anti-Blackness, Climate Generation to develop their racial analysis of their working environment. In 2019, Shanene was awarded the Virginia Binger McKnight Unsung Hero Award for her work in the community. She currently also serves on the Board of Directors for Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Organization.
SUPPORT RACIAL JUSTICE
YWCA St. Paul is here to meet the needs of the growing number of women and families who need us most. But we need YOUR support to continue delivering the valuable services we provide for our community.
Support establishing a common vocabulary and shared understanding of values, race, racism, gender, equity and cultural understanding.
- Every $25 you give can provide a book for the Resource Library in the Anti-Racist Training Center.
- Every $100 you give can provide swim lessons & a swim cap for black youth.
- Every $250 you give can provide meals and material for Racial Justice events.
- Every $500 you give can provide circle keepers to lead Restorative Circle Keeping.
- Every $1,000 you give can provide a Restorative Circle to build community.
- Every $3,000 you give can provide a mural done by a local artist inside the Anti-Racist Training Center.
Thank you for supporting our work to eliminate racism, empower women and create a thriving, equitable community for all. You make our work possible, and we deeply appreciate your partnership.
YWCA St. Paul is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (employer identification number 41-0693892). Your donations are fully tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.