Critical Voices Initiative

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Master the skills needed to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and empathy

Do you ever hesitate before attending family gatherings, dreading the tough conversations that might arise?

Have you found yourself wishing you knew the right words to avoid conflict yet foster real understanding? Maybe you’re looking to connect with your community on a deeper level — truly understanding their challenges, joys and beliefs — or perhaps you feel disconnected at work, like an outsider among your coworkers.

If any of this sounds familiar, the Critical Voices Initiative Academy is designed with you in mind. Attendees of our Academy focus on de-escalation, reframing possible conflict and working through uncomfortable conversations. We’re dedicated to leading a movement by learning the skills and comfort of having candid and crtical conversations in a world where every voice is heard equally. We’re devoted to this movement to turn barriers into bridges.

Why the Critical Voices Initiative Academy?

Our 10-week immersive program helps you master the skills to navigate difficult conversations with confidence and empathy. Whether it's family dinners that get heated, workplace discussions that leave you feeling sidelined, or community meetings where you feel "bothered," we’re here to help you foster genuine connection and understanding. Our program gives you the tools and practice needed to respond appropriately in the moment as opposed to reacting from emotion, which can lead to bitterness, dejection, and sometimes violence.

What you’ll learn with our team of experts:

Lead Critical Conversations with Confidence

Imagine being able to engage in tough talks on subjects like race, housing, healthcare, education, or justice without the fear of creating tension. You’ll learn to steer these conversations in a way that’s respectful and productive, leaving both you and others feeling understood and valued.

Our small group clusters are designed to promote discussion of difficult topics through diverse outlooks in life.

Understand Bias and Make Better Decisions

Learn how bias shapes your interactions and decisions — often without you realizing it. By recognizing these influences, you can take more conscious actions to support equity and inclusion in both your personal and professional relationships. Our academy includes workbooks and materials to understand problem signs before they arrive and improve the chance to disrupt bias and emotional reactions to better resolve conflict. We provide assessments to nurture growth and give you a baseline of what to expect.

Use Proven Techniques to Avoid Conflict

Ever wish you could diffuse tense moments before they spiral into full-blown conflict? We’ll teach you the S.T.O.P.™ technique, a practical method for addressing microaggressions and micro-inequities in a way that promotes calm, clear, and constructive dialogue that leads to respectful behaviors.

Build Lasting Relationships at Work and In Your Community

Whether you’re feeling like an outsider at the office or disconnected from your family, this program provides you with tools to build bridges. Learn how to foster inclusivity, develop mutual respect, and break down the barriers that divide people. You will be a part of a small group cluster of individuals from all various walks of life, in addition to meeting the full Academy group from time to time. Valuing differences and uplifting humanity are the backbone of our mission; thus, we bring in attendees, topic experts, and faculty that provide unique insight into life experiences beyond a safe “bubble” one may live in.

Beyond the Academy

When you finish the Critical Voices Initiative Academy, you’ll walk away with more than just new skills — you’ll be part of a broader movement for lasting social change. In addition to a Certification of Completion, you’ll create a personal action plan to continue applying your skills. With access to our supportive network of alumni, the conversation doesn’t stop when the academy ends — you’ll have the opportunity to continue to grow with a community dedicated to fostering sustainable community and workplace change.

Ready to take action?

Questions? Email us: Ubuntu@CriticalVoicesInitiative.org