OAR 3-Month Virtual Racial Justice & Liberation Cohorts

OAR has launched three-month virtual cohorts focused on racial justice and liberation for all. We believe it is not just enough to be an “anti-racist” and that the opposite of racism is pro-Blackness and the ultimate goal for all of us is liberation.

Please see the dates for any upcoming cohort sessions below. Cohorts are separated between BILAM (Black, Indigenous, Latine/x/o/a, Asian, and Multicultural) and WP (White People). BILAM will be a part of the “BILAM Liberation Virtual Learning Cohort” and WP will be a part of the “Liberation & Dismantling Whiteness Virtual Learning Cohort.” *Please note we are currently pausing sessions our WP Liberation & Dismantling Whiteness Cohort for the time being, in the meantime please see below for more resources and programs.* Not only do the learnings differ from each group, but this also allows us to have a more open and authentic conversation and in-depth discussions, provide a safer learning space for all individuals for each group, and create a space where the least amount of trauma and harm is caused. 

In order to participate in these virtual cohorts, you must have a working computer/laptop device with a video camera. If you are interested in participating in one of these cohorts, please fill out the application below. If you are chosen to participate in one of the cohorts, the date and time, as well as a payment invoice will be provided to you. If you need to cancel or request a refund, please read OAR’s refund/cancellation policy here. Please be sure to select your preferred starting months for the virtual cohort rank them below. If you would like more information, please email racialjustice@oaronline.org.

About OAR’s 3-Month Racial Justice + Liberation Virtual Learning Cohorts

Cohort participants will engage in formal learnings and conversations to analyze, confront, and address the racial patterns that are embedded in our lives and that are all too readily accepted as the norm. Topics will include the history of racism; the impact of vocabulary and language; racial superiority/inferiority; white fragility; white energy; the conditioning of BILAM (Black, Indigenous, Latine/x/o/a, Asian, and Multicultural); and the weathering that BILAM experience as they face racism on a daily basis or raise their voices to challenge white supremacy. The cohorts will be a place where individuals will explore their beliefs and day-to-day behaviors. 

Click here for OAR’s Encouraged Readings/Resource List for the Cohorts

BILAM will be a part of the “BILAM Liberation Virtual Learning Cohort” where the curriculum, discussion, and experience will center more around de-conditioning and working towards liberation. Facilitators for the BILAM Liberation cohorts will be OAR Collective members (OAR BILAM Collective members who have completed intensive racial justice + liberation training through OAR), along with guest facilitators that are experts in their respective fields. The BILAM Liberation cohort will meet virtually once a week for 3-hour sessions over three months (every Thursday for now) for a total of 10 sessions. After the 10 sessions, BILAM Liberation cohort participants will then transition over to our BILAM graduate gathering community that meets for one-hour every week and consists of participants from previous cohort sessions. Please click here to check out our encouraged reading/material list for the cohorts. Additional materials will be sent throughout the cohort. 

*Important Update – Please note we are currently pausing sessions our “WP Liberation & Dismantling Whiteness Cohort” for the time being, in the meantime please see below for more resources and programs: 

If you are chosen to participate in one of the cohorts, the date and time, as well as a payment invoice, and more information about the cohort will be provided to you. 

Virtual Racial Justice + Liberation Cohort Dates

Oct-Dec 2024 BILAM Liberation Cohort (for BILAM), Thursdays, 1-4PM EST

Start Date – TBD

Payment Information

Paying participants help provide scholarships for individuals formerly incarcerated and personnel (sworn and civilian) in Law Enforcement, Corrections, Court and Judicial Services, Fire and Rescue, Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management

-Individual paid by corporate: $1,000.00

-Individual paid by nonprofit/government agency/faith community: $750.00 *groups between 5-9 individuals receive 20% discount and groups of 10+ receive a discounted rate of $500/person. The organization can pay in advance and the members can apply to attend any cohorts*

-Individual paid by community member: $300.00

-All personnel (sworn and civilian) in Law Enforcement, Corrections, Court and Judicial Services, Fire and Rescue, Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management: Free

-Individuals Formerly Incarcerated: Free

-Previous cohort graduate, if you are a previous cohort graduate and would like to sign up for another cohort session, please select this option as the payment method below and then answer the following question about which session you graduated from

-Scholarship Needed *please see text box at the bottom of the application*

Click here to view OAR’s refund/cancellation policy 

Please fill in the form below to participate in one of OAR’s 3-month virtual cohorts or call us at 703-228-7030. 

Once you click submit, a confirmation email will be generated. If you do not receive the email within 24 hours in your inbox, please also check your “Spam” or “Junk” folders. Once you click submit you will be taken to another page on the OAR website that confirms you have successfully submitted this application. Questions or concerns? Contact racialjustice@oaronline.org.