While ROJ’s Antiracism Process (formerly “Damascus Road”) provides space for individual transformation, the entire program is designed to work toward long-term transformation of institutions through the work of teams. The process can be shaped for either secular or Christian faith-based contexts. Participants of all faiths are welcomed in either context. (We don’t offer workshops specifically for other faith contexts [Jewish, Muslim, etc.], because that’s just not the context of our team.)

Though much of ROJ’s attention is given to workshops and training events, we are careful to place this educational work in service to larger organizing goals of dismantling institutional racism. The entire process is designed especially for antiracism teams – groups that have formed to dismantle racism within their institution or community – though individuals may also attend some events.
If your organization or community is interested in forming a team, download our Inquiry Packet for more information.

The workshops involved in the process are summarized below, after a video introduction. Participants and trainers offer these video reflections on their experience with what was then referred to as “Damascus Road.”
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Antiracism Analysis Training

This workshop, foundational for Roots of Justice programs, is accessible to both teams and individuals. The goal of this 20-hour (typically 2 1/2 days) training is to:

• Be exposed to an analysis of racism and build a common understanding of racism
• Examine the historical, sociological, theological framing and basis of racism in the U.S.
• Examine intersectionality and implicit bias
  
• Work together as a team to develop team relationships
• Deepen the philosophical (and theological, if a faith-based training) foundations for antiracism work

The ROJ Antiracism Analysis Training is now available as an online workshop! Though this inhibits the sort of one-one-one connections that happen during an in-person workshop, videoconferencing with a smaller group of people (25 or less) allows for a certain level of intimacy that can be missing from a larger workshop. Online technology allows for even greater flexibility in format: 7 sessions over a weekend, spread out over a 5-day work week, or even spanning a couple of weekends.

Caucusing Retreats

After attending an Analysis Training, teams (and individuals) are encouraged to attend the Set Free (for BIPOC) and Fire & Clay (for white people) caucusing retreats to deepen their analysis and engagement of their racial identities. Doing this work before focusing on organizing tasks can help strengthen teams and prepare them for the difficulties of organizing. Click the links to learn more about each caucusing retreat.

TEAMBUILDING TOOLKIT

Following the Analysis Training (this can be simultaneous with the caucusing retreats), the team will request from Roots of Justice a Team Building Toolkit. The Toolkit will help the team at their own pace to:

• Review the key points of the antiracism analysis
• Begin applying the analysis to their institution or community
• Research their institution’s/community’s history and structures
• Continue to build trust and cohesion within the team
  

​Antiracism Organizing Training

​Roots of Justice works with the team(s) who will be attending to determine the content that will be most helpful. This training is available either in person or in a virtual format, over 2.5 days. Content might include:

• Basic concepts and skills for institutional organizing and effective antiracist education.
  
• Helpful ways to communicate an understanding of antiracism with others working together and growing as a team
  
• Developing a vision, goals and strategies
  
• Deepening our philosophical or theological understanding of antiracism work 

Antiracism Educating/Communicating Training

This 2.5 day training for teams can vary greatly from context to context and might include topics such as:

• Concepts and skills for effective antiracist education
• Developing a one-day workshop
• Working with a multiracial facilitation team
• Helpful ways to communicate an understanding of antiracism with others in formal and informal situations (board meetings, constituent interventions)
• Practice and role play

SPONSORING A WORKSHOP: 
Roots of Justice depends on local organizers to help us make events happen. If you would like to bring a workshop to your community or organization, please review our inquiry packet and then contact us about sponsoring a workshop.