Active-Allyship: Awareness, Action, Integration

welcome!

At Building Allies we root our work in the active-ally model of Awareness, Action, Integration. Our workshops are designed following the experiential cycle and utilizing discussion-based education that creates space for diverse learners. Each phase of the active-ally model engages and guides participants to determine what active-allyship looks like in the context of their personal and professional experiences.

Awareness

Our Awareness workshops guide participants through specifically designed exercises that offer a better understanding of language, behavior, identities and experiences (ours and others) in relation to the various privileges we hold. Awareness workshops are three hours to one-day in length depending on your group needs.
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Action

Our Action Workshops focus on developing specific active-ally behavior. Through exercises, discussion and games, participants will determine tools and resources based on their own lived experiences. Participants engage, practice, and critique active-ally behavior through the various lenses of privilege they hold. Action workshops are one-day to two-days depending on your group needs.
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Integration

Our Integration workshops are specifically designed to support participants in developing effective organizational shifts including: policy, regulatory and document changes, as well as integrating active-ally practices that can translate to support equality and equity issues in your workplace, community, or educational institution or otherwise.
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An active-ally is someone who witnesses injustice and responds to it in any situation, with actionable awareness.

events

Find one of our workshops at an event near you!
Building Allies Characters with Banner
April 8th

ACLU of California Annual Conference & Lobby Day

Sunday, April 8th
Presenting: Fighting Transphobia and Building Coalition Power
Sacramento, California with ACLU

Fighting Transphobia and Building Coalition Power

This interactive workshop will give participants and introduction to trans* identities and how systemic transphobia impacts the lives of trans* people. This workshop was created by the Transform California coalition that works to raise awareness on trans* issues an identities. This workshop will have videos, art, and interactive activities to give people skills to become allies or work in solidarity with transgender liberation movements. The only way we can fight transphobia is together!
Presenters: Adrian Acencion Martinez, LGBTQ Community Engagement and Policy Advocate, ACLU SoCal | Kyle Sawyer, Executive Director, Building Allies Together
Monterey Room, 2nd Floor

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April 10th

Join us Live on Facebook Tuesday April 10th at 11am

Tuesday April 10th, 11am
Relatable with Stephanie

Flyer for show  
April 15th and 22nd

Becoming an Active-Ally, Phase III: Integration

Sundays, April 15th and 22nd
Los Angeles, California @ The Relational Center

Becoming an Active-Ally to the Trans and GNC Communities
14 Continuing Educational Units

This is a two-day Integration workshop that invites participants to learn and implement new vocabulary, map and expand their understanding of trans and gender-nonconforming identities, engage active-ally focused practices, and develop skills that can be used and referenced in therapeutic work.

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April 1st

General Public Workshop
Becoming an Active-Ally Phase I: Awareness

Sunday April 1, 11a-2pm
Los Angeles, California @ QYouth Foundation

Presenting: Becoming an Active-Ally to the Trans and GNC Communities

Are you someone who wants to be an ally to transgender and gender nonconforming individuals and communities but aren’t sure how or where to start? Is there a person in your life who identifies as trans or gender non-conforming? Do you know your coworkers or peers engage in transphobic behavior, but you don’t know what to do about it? This workshop is for you! Becoming an Active-Ally to the Trans and GNC communities is designed to engage participants in critical thinking regarding their own identity and experiences in relation to trans and GNC individuals. This is for anyone who wants to begin their process of becoming an active-ally.

Read More Here

Blog

eyeglasses laying on a magazine

Introduction: Privilege and the Three Phases of Active-Allyship

4/9/2018 – Part 1 of 4

Our vision is to work with those who are willing to turn their privilege into change. It’s not enough to just be aware of privilege—we have a responsibility to do something about it.

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Testimonials

"Our facilitator was prepared and knowledgeable, and the workshop was extremely worthwhile. People at any level of interest in social equity - from novices to seasoned activists - will walk away with more knowledge, deeper personal understanding, and real-world ways to effect change in their personal and professional lives. I will be recommending this organization to everyone I know!"Sara S.
Sara S.Los Angeles, CA
“Kyle Sawyer's work holds the capacity to cross boundaries as it affords an audience an opportunity to participate in the healing of wounds--some of which they may not even know they have. Kyle brings an audience face to face with the prospect of real democracy and equality through an examination of privilege and inequality that put me on the edge of my seat, and has kept me there ever since.”Donald Strauss, Ph.D., M.F.A.
Donald Strauss, Ph.D., M.F.A.Antioch University Los Angeles
“Kyle Sawyer's Turning Privilege Into Change talk is resonant, honest and enlightening. To speak from personal experience, as Kyle does, is compelling, engaging and informative, while it encourages deep thought about our own roles. The questions and the analysis presented reaches into our minds and into our hearts.”Jane Paul, MA
Jane Paul, MAAntioch University Los Angeles
“Kyle Sawyer has developed a remarkable presentation. It is boldly educational, introducing what may be new language and concepts in a way that people of diverse backgrounds can engage with the ideas. Kyle is a skilled presenter; he draws the audience into the subject matter in an open and affirming way while making a persuasive argument for change."Susan Nero, PhD
Susan Nero, PhDAntioch University Los Angeles
“Kyle's presentation 'Turning Privilege Into Change' at Antioch University has had a profound effect, provoking rich, collaborative interactions that continue to engage social justice practices among faculty, staff and students...both on campus and beyond.”Charley Lang, MFT
Charley Lang, MFTNarrative Counseling Center

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