Our Approach and Services
Transformation in Action works with organizations to build equitable communities and design actionable roadmaps that promote practices where real talk about race and racism is encouraged and enriched.
Leadership for Transforming Organizational Culture
TIA facilitators work with leaders to design and manage change processes that align policies, practices, mission, vision, and organizational values with racial equity. Managing organizational change requires a comprehensive understanding of institutional racism, critical race theory, and a high level of self awareness about one’s identity and positionality to power and privilege. Leaders are are most successful when their approach to equity incorporates structural as well as personal and interpersonal processes.
TIA coaches help leaders identify organizational strengths and areas for growth. Assessment tools may include surveys, focus groups, interviews, as well as analyzing data and decoding assumptions applied to measures of success. Outcomes can include new workplace community norms, organizational content revisions, expanded core value statements, changes in service delivery methodology and strategies.
Building Community through a lens of Equity, Diversity, and Interconnectedness
Human beings are hardwired for connection and belonging.
Building community and strengthening relationships are required for sustaining the work of undoing racism and promoting social equity. TIA facilitators help organizations build community by introducing them to restorative processes rooted in the wisdom traditions of indigenous peoples. Restorative circles (talking circles) are non-judgmental and non-hierarchical processes where people come together to learn how to honor the lived experiences and values of each community member.
These circle processes are particularly useful when organizations begin to engage in working through cultural differences and inequities. Over time circles begins to counteract ways of communication that cause division and disconnection. TIA circle keepers design processes to address various topics based on the needs of the group. TIA also trains circle keepers to build organizational capacity.
One of the main goals of undoing racism is to reconnect us to ways of being that are anchored in life-sustaining values. TIA facilitators help organizations establish on-going conversations about race and racism. Intersectional affinity caucuses enable small groups to tackle the work of naming and undoing patterns of institutional racism with others with whom they have common lived experiences, (i.e older Black women or people who identify as LBGTQI).
Personal Development Coaching
When leaders are centered in what truly matters, they take committed action in service to their core values.
Racism and all forms of oppression interrupt our humanity and can disrupt our intrinsic bending towards physical and emotional wellness. Personal healing is both the result of and the fuel for sustaining liberatory movement towards healing harm caused by generations of institutional racism. For anyone committed to confronting racism in themselves and in others, much emotional labor is required. Untethered emotional labor is stressful. Leaders who fully engage in self-reflection, openness, vulnerability, and self-care are better able to help others weather any difficulties that emerge along the journey. By understanding one’s triggers and default response patterns, leaders unpack old mindsets and beliefs centered in white supremacy. Yaniyah provides one-on-one and group coaching to leaders, facilitators, and other healing practitioners to be fully present to their own mental, emotional, and physical wellness as they guide others. Yaniyah works with leaders through attunement to body, mind, and spirit (innate inner resource) somatic centering exercises, mindfulness practices, and personal rituals. Leaders emerge with a crystallized sense of self, a deeper connection to personal core values, and clearer purpose.
Our Services
Staff Retreats
Virtual interactive intensives designed to master leadership skills and build community.
Community Building
Virtual interactive activities to deepen conversations about race, racism, and intersectionality. Enhances work group efficiency.
Restorative Circles
Talking circles rooted in indigenous wisdom traditions that uplifts personal narrative, core values, and promotes community healing.
Mindfulness Meditation
Incorporates embodied mindfulness practices; present moment awareness recalling one’s core self to overcome negative impact of systemic inequities.
One on One Coaching
Introduction of psycho-spiritual practices to heal racial trauma and unleash innate gifts and self actualization.
Systems Change Analysis and Action Planning
TIA facilitators conduct needs assessments, supports planning workgroups and action plan development.
Conversations on Race
Facilitation of conversations about identity, race, and institutional inequities, utilizing affinity caucuses to unpack internalized white supremacy; and establish ongoing norms for community growth.
Core Values and Code of Conduct Revision
Group facilitation to align organizational mission, codes of conduct with restorative justice and racial equity..