1. Course Description

Amandla! Organizer Training: Purpose, Power and Praxis

The course combines Amandla Fundamentals and Praxis into one powerful and purposeful cohort. The course centered in the Black Transformative Organizing (BTO) Tradition which seeks to combine personal transformation and transformation of our relationships into our fight for Black liberation, radical social change, and a just society. The first two weeks will focus on BTO core theory and history, the fundamental skills of base-building and leadership development, as well as an embodied approach to learning and developing their skills. During the third week of Praxis, participants are “live” on a concrete campaign hosted by a BOLD organization adding critical capacity to the group’s organizing drive, while also building their own skills, and participating in classroom training that deepens their understanding of campaign work. The fourth week is focused on integration of all the learnings from the fundamentals and the on-the-ground experience

In this four month course, we teach participants to:
  • Practice the art and science of Black Organizing with greater understanding, commitment and effectiveness;
  • Recognize what motivates them to organize and how to use that motivation as fuel to drive their organizing work and connect them deeply to others;
  • Assess their organizing with greater accuracy and identify at least one major competency that they are excited--and committed to increasing;
  • Contribute to building and sustaining powerful teams, whether as team lead or as a member;
  • Integrate the theory and practice of Transformative Organizing in their work.
  • Participate effectively in an organizing campaign:
  • Contribute powerfully to designing and implementing an organizing campaign, and more accurately measure its impact;
  • Build on and deepen relationships with other Black organizers in the context of shared work.
Who Should Apply: Applicants should be new Black organizers at a Black/Black-Led organizing formation or a multiracial organization with significant Black leadership in its staff and in its membership, who have not had the opportunity to experience training on the fundamental art and science of organizing through the Black Radical Tradition. Applicants must be able to attend ALL retreat and Praxis dates. Priority will be given to organizations whose Director / Executive Director is a BOLD Alumni.

Retreat Dates: June 23-27; July 21-25; Sept 8-12 (Praxis); Sept 29 - Oct 3
Applicants must be able to attend all retreats. Travel day is Monday and departure time is Friday after 3 PM EST.

Location: Weeks 1,2 & 4 Middle Georgia (exact location shared upon acceptance) ; Week 3 (Praxis) tbd

Tuition: $6,000 plus organizations are responsible for covering applicant transportation costs. *Sliding scale and Scholarships are available.

Application Period: October 31, 2024 - January 9, 2025

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* 1. Contact Information

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* 2. Organization Contact Information

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* 3. Identity Information

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* 4. Provide your supervisor, director, or lead's contact information. By providing this information, you affirm that you have the permission and support of your organization to apply for this course.

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* 5. Full attendance is required. Will you be able to attend all of the training days?

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* 6. What access needs do you need met in order to fully participate in this course?

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* 7. Are there physical, emotional and/or psychiatric states of being that might impact your participation in our program?

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* 8. If you answered yes above, what systems of support do you currently have in the event that a significant challenge occurs?

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* 9. Do you have any active conflicts with other Black organizers with whom can you not be in a learning space with?

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* 10. If Yes, how are you with dealing with this conflict?

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* 11. Are there other staff members from your organization applying to the course?

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* 12. If Yes, how would you describe your relationship with these other staff?

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* 13. Is your organization actively participating in the Movement 4 Black Lives?

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* 14. If Yes, list what M4BL initiatives your organization participates in

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