In-Person St. Louis, Toward Liberation Workshop, 3 days, August 4-6, 2026, 9am-5pm

Toward Liberation: Building Shared Analysis to Transform Institutions

Workshop Overview

It’s hard to look at what’s happening in the United States and not ask “why.” Why, twenty-plus years into the 21st Century and over seventy years after legally mandated racial integration, are the ideas that justify discrimination and injustice still such a big part of our everyday reality? Why do these ideas about race, class, and gender still have so much power over our lives, culture, and institutions? Why does it seem so hard, to acknowledge their impact across generations? Why do we become defensive when faced with the call to repair historic harms and create an equitable society where all can flourish? And because we ask “why,” this workshop also asks “how.” How do we interrogate and disrupt narratives that limit justice work to superficial actions as opposed to deep, transformative change? How do we intervene in everyday problematic interpersonal dynamics as well as in systemic ones? How do we engage in personal transformation practices that enable us to better challenge and dismantle injustice particularly racial injustice? How do we find the path towards collective liberation?

Workshop Outcomes:

Toward Liberation is both a deepening and intensive workshop that builds on the foundation of Animating Antiracist Ways of Being. The workshop is designed to achieve the following outcomes:

• Build a shared understanding of history – Explore how systems that justify domination, inequality, and racism developed in the United States and continue to function today

• Analyze how these systems misshape power – Examine how structural racism and injustice influence the way power operates in our institutions and communities

• Reflect on how racism has misshaped our identities – Consider how these systems have formed and distorted our sense of self, enabling us to become more effective antiracist allies

• Develop skills for transformative action – Build practical skills to organize and transform institutions into spaces where everyone experiences justice, inclusion, and belonging

Prerequisite Learning

This is a deepening workshop designed to examine how institutional systems perpetuate inequality and provide focused exploration of specific justice topics—from analyzing dynamics of oppression to charting pathways toward reparation. It is required that participants have previous experience engaging with Crossroads’ analysis of systemic racism by having participated in one or more of the following workshops:

• Animating Antiracist Ways of Being workshop

• Introduction to Antiracism (2020 - 2023)

• Introduction to Systemic Racism workshop (pre-2020)

• The Values Gap: Moving from Symbolic Gestures to Lasting Transformation

Workshop Fees

Are You Paying for Yourself?

We know cost can be a barrier, so we've set affordable rates for individuals. Choose the fee that works best for your situation. If you have the financial means, we encourage you to pay the full price to help keep our programs accessible to others.

• Minimum Fee: $100 — For individuals with modest resources

• Half-Price: $350 — For individuals with moderate resources

• Full-Price: $700 — For individuals able to cover all their costs

Is your Organization Covering your Registration?

If your employer or organization is covering your registration, select the rate based on your organization's annual budget.

• Equity Rate: $375 per person — Budget under $400K

• Sustainer Rate: $575 per person — Budget $400K to $2 million

• Supporter Rate: $775 per person — Budget $2 million to $16.5 million

• Builder Rate: $975 per person — Budget over $16.5 million

 Want to host a workshop for your organization or community? Our sliding scale pricing ensures accessibility for organizations of all sizes. Reach out to learn more about fees tailored to your budget.

Why do we require registration?

To create a safe and confidential space for all participants, everyone must complete registration—even if you're selecting the $0 option. Please note: Previous attendance at Crossroads workshops doesn't automatically grant access to new digital workshops. Each workshop requires its own registration to protect the privacy of all participants.

Location Address: 

St. Louis 

Location address to be determined 

What to Know Before Registering

Multiple dates are listed for your convenience, but you only need to register for one session.

Arrival & Attendance

Arrive on time – You must join before we complete the Community Agreements Process (usually within the first 30 minutes). Late arrivals cannot be admitted to protect the group's confidentiality.

Stay for the full workshop – We ask all participants to attend from beginning to end. Moving in and out of the workshop isn't permitted, as it disrupts the shared experience.

We understand technical issues happen and that remote work has its challenges—we're happy to accommodate these situations. However, if facilitators notice ongoing disengagement that isn't communicated, participants may be removed from the session.

Breaks & Self-Care

• Workshops over under 6 hours – Include regular stretch and self-care breaks

• Workshops 6+ hours – Include regular stretch and self-care breaks and a 60-minute lunch break

Before the Workshop

• Review policies – Please read the complete workshop and cancellation policies at the bottom of the registration form and in your confirmation email

• Add to your calendar – Mark the date and time now

Need Support?

If you have questions about participating or need accommodations, contact us at registration@crossroadsantiracism.org.