To support the divestment from anti-Blackness and White Supremacy through public scholarship, collective accountability, and systemic change management
A culture where research-based practice and practice-based research work in tandem to center the liberation of oppressed people.
A.B.L.E. supports leaders in the life-long journey of unraveling oppressive social conditioning constructs to promote equity-based scholarship.
Founded by nationally-awarded anti-violence expert and anti-oppressive coach, Wanda Swan, the institute reflects a change framework rooted in Black Feminist Abolitionism, Bystander Intervention, Multicultural Organizational Development, and the principles of Transformational Justice. Wanda shares her nearly two decades of experience in moving liberation for all from dream to strategy to reality and is excited to invite you to explore your anti-oppressive goals within this learning container.
What makes A.B.L.E. so amazing is its two-armed engagement offers and its ability to meet you where you are. People have the opportunity to learn broadly in a membership container through the #PracticeLiberation Academy or hone specific skills through our Anti-Oppressive Advocacy® certification program for middle, senior, and executive managers.
This isn't a high-brow space for self-proclaimed non-racists to perform their brand of activism. This is a learning space for folx who are actively wanting to move from "Doubt" to "Do" even when it means putting their vulnerability on display.
These are our expectations of every learner.
Vulnerability.
Humility.
Accountability.
No perfectionism, competition, or examples of "niceness" ARE necessary.
A.B.L.E. wants and requires you to get rid of the stigma around "being caught learning."
There is room for you here to unpack your current understanding of your culture and its origin stories. Get comfortable being uncomfortable for the liberation of all.
In return, you get:
- +An road map of continuing education and professional development to confront your growing edges/barriers to dismantling oppression
- +Access, Access, Access!: Through minicourses, trainings, certification programs, coaching, and monthly live sessions with the A.B.L.E. team!
- + A community of folx on the same journey as you to provide support!
- + Trained facilitators to provide mentorship through guided discussions
"The gap between wanting to do and needing to do this work is only as dire as your commitment to equity.”
-Wanda Swan
The A.B.L.E. Institute wants to help close that gap by offering a space that allows for the unraveling of anti-oppressive and anti-racist belief systems. Together we will identify common oppressive habits, connect them to larger systemic conditioning, and dig into just why White Supremacy is everyone’s default (yes, even mine)!
