Go beyond DEI.

Get the whole library ready to work for justice.

Move from surface talk about diversity and inclusion to real, honest conversations about justice and action plans that advance equity.

Watch the video to learn more >>>

Stop juggling schedules and looking for the perfect trainer.

With this unique course, you and your team can...

  • Take the course on your own schedule, at your own pace.

  • Learn frameworks that get to the heart of social justice.

  • Adopt a shared language you can use to talk openly and honestly with one another.

  • Create plans of action to shift culture and develop practices that advance justice in your library.

What People Are Saying

about Justice at Work

This class was invaluable in my anti-racism journey.

Tricia Ann Lee, Asst. Director, Sno-Isle Libraries

Mia's delivery is powerful using stories, history, personal references, guest speakers and other strategies to illustrate challenging topics in ways that are accessible. We took this course as a leadership team and followed it with team discussions and that made our learning even more valuable as we directly applied the concepts to our place of work, our roles as leaders and created shared meaning and vocabulary. I highly recommend this training.

Mia is a great presenter.

Joy Kim, Cambridge Public Library

I liked the mix of videos + additional resources for reading/exploration. Mia is a great presenter and brings warmth, energy, and challenge to her speaking.

What You Can Expect

from Justice at Work

  • Time Commitment

    4-5 hours total. Take at your own pace.

  • Video Lessons

    Enjoy short, recorded video lessons that break down content in accessible chunks, yet pose thought-provoking questions.

  • Templates and Resources

    Get access to an extensive lists of resources to extend your learning. Download activity templates that help you personalize the frameworks to your context.

  • Discussion

    Share ideas and resources with participants from other libraries in the discussion forums.

  • Instructor Support

    Chat with Mia in Zoom office hours. Schedule a live virtual session with a group.

  • Closed Captioning

    All videos include closed captioning to support accessibility.

Meet Your Instructor!

Instructor | Facilitator

Mia Henry

Mia Henry (she|her) is a nationally-recognized trainer, facilitator, and leadership coach. She is the CEO of Freedom Lifted, a company providing training, facilitation and coaching grounded in justice and equity. Previously, Mia was a founding director of the Chicago Freedom School and the executive director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. She has degrees from Rutgers University and the University of Pennsylvania, as well as knowledge informed by that which has been passed on from family and ancestors, extensive travel, and the many relationships she has nurtured in communities across the U.S.

Course Overview

  • 1

    Welcome to Justice at Work!

  • 2

    Chapter 1: Connecting Identity + Power

  • 3

    Chapter 2: Understanding Oppression Part 1

    • Five Faces of Oppression: Why Diversity Is Not Enough

    • Preparing Yourself for Difficult Content

    • TEMPLATE: The Five Faces Within - Oppression in Public Libraries

    • Exploitation

    • READING: Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves

    • Marginalization

    • READING: White Librarianship in Blackface: Diversity Initiatives in LIS

    • Powerlessness

    • On Paulo Freire: Extended Interview and Resources

    • QUICK QUIZ: Understanding Oppression Part 1
  • 4

    Chapter 3: Understanding Oppression Part 2

    • Understanding Oppression, Part 2

    • Remember to Breathe

    • RESOURCE: What is White Supremacy?

    • Cultural Dominance

    • READING: An “Owning Up” of White-IST Trends in LIS to Further Real Transformations

    • Harm and Violence

    • REFLECTION: How do we respond to oppression?

    • TEMPLATE: The Five Faces Within - Oppression in Public Libraries

  • 5

    Chapter 4: Working for Justice, Part 1: Resistance

    • DISCUSSION: What is the difference between resistance and solidarity?

    • Six Ways We Resist

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Escape

    • Revolt

    • Petition and Protest

    • Achievement and Success

    • Community Building

    • Defiance

    • QUICK QUIZ: Resistance in Review
  • 6

    Chapter 5: Working for Justice, Part 2: Solidarity

    • What Does Solidarity Look Like?

    • Solidarity Actions You Can Take

    • TEMPLATE - Solidarity: A Personal Commitment

    • TEMPLATE - Solidarity: A Collective Commitment (GROUP ACTIVITY)
  • 7

    Chapter 6: Ideas Exchange

    • DISCUSSION: Serving Patrons with Housing Insecurity

    • DISCUSSION: Public Safety Without Policing

    • DISCUSSION: Serving Patrons Who Have Been Incarcerated

    • DISCUSSION: Social Justice and Intellectual Freedom
  • 8

    Chapter 7: Racial Equity In Practice: Analysis and Scenarios

    • Racial Equity Tools: Analysis Questions and Resources

    • Scenario #1: Community Programs and Engagement

    • Scenario #2: Core Services

    • Scenario #3: Policy and Procedures

    • Scenario #4: Funding Priorities

    • Scenario #5: Collections

    • Scenario #6: Staffing
  • 9

    Next steps

    • Congrats and Thank You!

    • Additional Readings and Resources for Libraries

    • Next Steps

    • Before you go...

Course Fee

Sign up today to take this course at your own pace, on your own time. Contact us for group rates.

Bring Justice at Work to your library!

Special rates available for 10+ participants.

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