REPORTS AND ARTICLES
Give With Eyes Wide Open (Coming Soon)
As funding cuts threaten life-saving programs across the country, many people are reaching into their own pockets to support organizations working to end gender-based violence. This surge of generosity is both beautiful and necessary, but it calls for deeper discernment and courageous action.
I have donated. And I have shared posts in support.
But I have also witnessed a troubling pattern: requests for financial support from programs that have intentionally harmed Black women and refused to acknowledge or repair the harm, even when it was brought to their attention.
Now more than ever, we must ask critical questions about the organizations we support and the values they truly embody.
Stay tuned for the full piece.
STOP POLICING BLACK WOMEN: A SHORT GUIDE
"Policing Black women is not just about controlling bodies—it’s about controlling narratives. It’s the silent judgment in a boardroom, the loud critique on social media, and the systemic barriers that dictate how we show up. It’s a daily negotiation of visibility, where our authenticity is often seen as resistance and our joy as defiance." - DeLisha Tapscott, Ed.D. DOWNLOAD GUIDE
THRIVE AS THEY LEAD
"What measures must be taken to provide Black women and Black gender-expansive leaders with the support, resources, and infrastructure they need to thrive as they lead?" DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT
The Overrepresentation of White Women's Leadership in the Movement to End Gender-Based Violence
"For years white women have primarily occupied the most powerful leadership roles in the gender-based violence (GBV) movement. As a result, white women’s perspectives, standpoints, and experiences become the primary drivers that shape local, state, and national movement agendas. The overt lack of diversity reflects an enduring racialized systematic erasure of women of color. Over the past 30 years, practitioners and scholars of scholar have proposed numerous tokenism , silencing , and other cultural practices that hindered women of color’s advancement into positions of leadership within the gender-based violence movement. Yet, despite these efforts, the overrepresentation of white women in leadership positions persists and the number of women of color remains stubbornly low." DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT
FREE TRAINING MATERIALS
By using these resources provide by the TooREL Institute for Social Change, you agree to use them as intended by the author. These resources should be used for personal, educational, or charitable purposes only and must not be used for financial gain. Proper credit must also be given to the author. Any modification or use for purposes other than those stated requires prior permission from the TooREL Institute for Social Change.
ACV Self Discovery Framework
The ACV Self Disovery Framework is a transformative process designed to guide individuals toward personal and professional growth, healing and overall well-being. Its focus is on achieving emotional, spiritual and mental wellness through a structured approach. The Framework is divided into three distinct phases: Phase 1: Soul Work (Acceptance), Phase 2: Action Planning (Clarity), and Phase 3: Manifestation (Victory).
Phase 1: This phase centers on deep introspection, identifying the internal barriers that hinder personal and professional growth and development.
Phase 2: During this phase, the focus shifts to overcoming the obstacles and barriers identified in the first stage.
Phase 3: This is the phase of transformation, where internal work and action planning begin to manifest is tangible results.
Click the link below for an example of the Framework. The examples provided in this document is for illustrative purposes only. We encourage individuals to personalize the framework by integrating their own reflections and action steps for each phase, tailoring them to their unique experiences, goals, and aspirations.
For additional information about each phase, an easy-to-follow Implementation Guide, and a blank version of the document, please reach out to us at info@toorelinstitute.org.
Creating a Healthier We: Empowering Advocates to Thrive
This workbook is a transformative guide designed for individuals, especially advocates and community leaders, who are committed to personal and collective well-being. It offers a holistic approach to self-discovery, growth, and empowerment, encouraging individuals to reflect, learn, and take meaningful action toward both personal liberation and collective well-being.
The workbook includes the following activities:
- All About Me
- TooREL "old tree" and "new tree"
- Becoming and Unbecoming
- Learning and Unlearning
- Self-Discovery Journey
- Monthly Goals and Wellness Plan
- Personal Growth Plan for the Eight Dimensions of Wellness
The workbook fosters resilience, healing, and empowerment by nurturing a balanced approach to well-being and wellness, ensuring that advocates and community leaders can lead a thriving life, both personally and in service to others.
For additional information, including helpful prompts and an easy-to-follow guide, please reach out to us at info@toorelinstitute.org.
TooREL Tree Discussion
The tree activity is designed to engage participants in discussions about the current oppressive policies and practices within an organization and the necessary seeds that need to be planted in order to create a more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for ALL.
Objective: To reflect on and discuss current oppressive practices and policies within the organization and envision the changes that need to take place in order to create a more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for ALL.
The goal of the activity is to reflect on how the organization's culture currently operates (the "old" tree) and how it could evolve into a more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment (the "new" tree).
The activity requires two blank "trees" as metaphors for the current state and the desired state after creating a culture of inclusivity and equity.
Suggested Discussion Prompts
Tree #1: Old Tree- Roots: What are the deep-rooted practices, beliefs and assumptions that contributes to oppressive behaviors in the organizations?
-Trunk: What are the ongoing systems, policies, and actions that maintain inequality and exclusion?
Branches- What are the behaviors, norms (spoken or unspoken), and interactions that contribute to an unhealthy and unwelcoming environment?
Leaves and Fruit- What negative outcomes or impacts does this current state have on individuals, predominantly individuals who have been traditionally marginalized, and the overall culture of the organization?
Tree #2: New Tree
-Roots: What new practices and beliefs need to take root in the organization to eliminate or reduce oppressive behaviors?
-Trunk: What new systems, structures, or actions need to be implemented to support inclusivity and equity, and create a new sense of belonging for ALL?
-Branches: What behaviors, norms or daily practices would create an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for ALL?
-Leaves and Fruits: What positive outcomes will result from this intentional CULTURE SHIFT?
*Both trees can be completed individually and then invite participants to share as a group.
This activity not only encourages participants to engage in courageous conversation to identify current issues, but also encourages them to be a part of the solution to create sustainable culture change- creating a more equitable, welcoming and inclusive environment moving forward.
For a step-by-step Facilitation Guide (including strategies for accountability and an action planning tool) reach out to us at info@toorelinstitute.org.
Word Search Challenge Activity
This word search activity is perfect for staff convenings or training events. You can use it as a team-building exercise or an individual challenge. We all like a little "friendly" competition!
How to Play:
1. Distribute the word search page to all participants.
2. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes (depending on your available time).
3. Instruct participants to find as many words as they can within the allotted time.
4. At the end of the time, award prizes to those who have found the most words!
Suggested Prizes:
- Word search books
- Gift cards
_ Fun office supplies
- "Word Search Champion" certificate
This activity not only encourages friendly competition but also sparks creativity and conversation. It is a great way to get participants engaged, and promotes problem-solving and quick thinking. You can also encourage participants to work in teams to foster collaboration and enhance team spirit.
The time pressure adds an exciting element of "healthy" urgency, while the search itself encourages focus and attention to detail.
Whether participants are racing against the clock or collaborating with teammates, this activity helps break the ice or wrap up a day of difficult conversations and brings joy into the space.
* This word search page was adapted from the Word Weaver: A StoryTelling Word Search Adventure, created and published by Arlene C. Vassell. It can be purchased at arlenecvassell.com or Amazon.com.
IMPLICIT BIAS HANDOUT
This handout offers a visual overview of implicit bias. Use it to spark courageous conversations about how bias manifests and to explore practical strategies for recognizing and addressing biases in both personal and professional settings, promoting equity and inclusivity.
