After creating an intensive 6-week dialogue-based group titled Deconstructing Whiteness (DW) at Northwestern University, Michele was given Kate’s name as someone who could be a strong co-facilitator. Kate, having recently started in a role in sexual violence and prevention at NU, shadowed and eventually took on the co-facilitator role in DW. It quickly became apparent that Michele’s experience in education, restorative practices, and whiteness work complemented Kate’s experience in advocacy and support for HIV+ queer and trans adults, mediation, and  non-profit work. As strong facilitators, Kate and Michele noticed how their differing styles created a balance of curiosity, directness, and compassion. Plus, they found joy when working together, something they believe is integral to this work and hard to find. If you look closely on our website, you’ll notice a motif depicting the art and practice of weaving, which we see as the perfect metaphor for the why and how of what we do: for any of us in the great weaving of humanity to get free, we must weave together our distinct skills, values, and approaches.

Community is an integral part of how Kate and Michele do their work. We understand the knowledge and expertise we use to educate participants with is grounded in BIPOC, femme, queer, and disabled experience, research, and activism. As two people who have predominantly privileged identities, it is essential to recognize and name that we should not and cannot do this work alone. This is why you will always see us co-facilitating white accountability spaces. Additionally, we acknowledge our limitations and know that we cannot and should not facilitate every workshop and training that comes our way. This is why we intentionally cultivate and work with a community of facilitators across identities. This can look like co-facilitation, consultation support, or directly connecting you.