2023 Summer AWAKEN Cohort | Vivid Conversations About Race

We encourage everyone with a vested interest in being a part of conversations, initiatives, and efforts around welcoming folks better into this Impactful Twin Cities Circus and Performance Arts Experience to partake in all 3 levels of The Vivid Conversations About Race Intensive Experience.

This level is the introductory series, AWAKEN. You will spend a significant amount of time focusing on you because that is exactly where race work begins. Your facilitators, Nastaaja Johnson and Alissa Kaasa, and your peers, other Summer 2023 AWAKEN Cohort participants, will support you as you dive in. 

Dates:

In person sessions are 8:30am - 4:30pm

     Saturdays June 24th and July 22nd

Optional Virtual Sessions are 8:30am to 9:00am

     Wednesdays July 5th and August 9th

There is a Minimum and Maximum Registration, so sign up as soon as you are sure ^_^

Registration Closes Midnight June 23rd or Once Registration is Full, whicever comes first!

What is Included in the Cost:

About 25 Hours Total of Professional Development in Race Equity, inclusion, & Diversity Training!

Ask your supervisor about Professional Development paid time & financial support!

• 16 Hours of Guided Introspective & Intrapersonal Race Equity work, in person with intentional wellness and healing infused throughout
• 8 Hours of Guided Reflective Practice, ie "Homework"
• 2 Additional Hours of Reflective Follow Up as a cohort
• 2-3 hours of Support through the Start of Your Own Parallel Creative Process (Choose any creative medium you have the means to take on to start creating something new during your time in Your AWAKEN Space! It can be writing, speaking, moving, drawing, painting, "circus-ing," etc. Let us know what you choose in your registration!)
• The Vivid Conversations About Race Workbook, Notebook, & Pen
• Light LUNCH on Us
• Assortment of Snacks 
• Comfy Discussion Area 
• Priority to any future Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Vivid Black Paint Workshops

About Your Facilitators!

Nastaaja Johnson

Masters of Arts in International Studies Education

Bachelors in Psychology

Certified Mental Health First Aider

Certified Health & Wellness Coach

african american female ; trained in courageous conversations about race, quality coaching, difficult conversations, welcoming spaces, and affinity space facilitation ; lives with two learning disabilities ; founder of non profit Vivid Black Paint ; lived in five states and two countries, visited 10 states and 5 countries ; has lived in the Twin Cities on and off for 20+ years;  a multidisciplinary artists who brings with her 10 years of lived experience as a circus student, coach, and producer in Twin Cities Creative Spaces.

Alissa Kaasa

Masters of Social Work

License Independent Clinical Social Worker

white female with over a decade of therapy experience, case management and skill building experience prior to becoming a therapist ; clientele base that spans works with clients who have a variety of severe mental and physical illnesses as well as different races, genders, sexual orientations, and trauma histories ; has her own life impacting mental and physical disabilities; grew up in rural Washington State ; is an artistic baker and eater of pastries ; has lived in the Twin Cities for 19 years ; brings 10+ years of lived experience as a circus student and coach in Twin Cities Creative Spaces.

Google Map to Stomping Ground Studio

**First TWO Cohort Members to Complete Registration will Recieve a Free "Vivid Conversations about Race" Tote Bag, which may also be available for purchase.**

If Applying a Discount, Only Use 1 Code.