Antiracist Restorative Practice (ARP) Cohort

Build your organizations' capacity and center liberation.

Antiracist Restorative Practice (ARP) is a healing centered, liberatory framework used by practitioners, communities, and organizations to address inequities and structural harm, affirm the dignity and cultural wealth of communities, and to develop policies, practices, and institutions that affirm the fullness of our humanity and build toward our collective well-being.

AMPT's Antiracist Restorative Practice Cohort aims to build the capacity of small, Black- and Latine-led nonprofit organizations, with budgets less than $500,000 on the south and west sides of Chicago.

This 8 month-long virtual experience provides participants:

  • Capacity-building tools, skills, and competencies necessary to serve their clients and communities.

  • Support in successfully navigating Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Industrial Complex.

  • Space to contribute to the collective re-imaging and manifestation of what will be.

  • Opportunity to build strong organizational relationships with other nonprofit leaders across Chicago.

  • An Executive Coach for 6 months of one-on-one coaching.

  • $10,000 organizational stipend to build the capacity of your organization.

All Sessions will be in person for the 2024 Cohort.

  • Organizational leaders who identify as Black and/or Latine. The application process will prioritize on the south and west sides of Chicago, operating budgets of $500,000 or less.

    Additionally, this capacity-building opportunity will focus on fostering a community of leaders who are committed to fostering antiracist organizations.

  • 6 highly interactive, virtual sessions that focus on the knowledge and tools that will support the capacity of your organization.

    Content areas include:

    Budgeting and Accounting

    Building Strategic Partnerships

    Board Engagement

    Grant Writing and Fundraising

    All framed in the lens of Antiracism and uplifting the experience and brilliance of Black and Brown people.

    We strongly suggest that you attend these Zoom sessions from your desktop computer or laptop to receive the full benefits of participation.

    We also strongly encourage you to participate with your camera on, if possible, as part of the community building component of this cohort experience.

  • The cohort sessions will be held from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm on the third Thursday of every month IN PERSON from May 2023 to November 2024.

    Do you have any conflicts with the cohort session dates?

    Thursday, May 16th

    Thursday, June 20th

    Thursday, July 18th

    Thursday, August 15th

    Thursday, September 19th

    Thursday, October 17th

    Thursday, November 21st

Applications close March 18th for our 2024 Cohort.

Apply now here!

Watch our ARP Virtual Info Session

2023 Antiracist Restorative Practice Cohort Members

Testimonials

Our Impact

We have recognized the importance of building our own internal frameworks [and] our internal structures to make sure that we are sustainable for decades to come. This stipend was essential for us to be able to increase the role capacity that was already existing. Having a Director of Programming, building out those hours in that role more to allow them to expand. As well as, through our marketing and visibility and with our current employer database.“

What do you imagine for the Mezcla Media Collective as you continue your commitment to fostering an anti-racist organization?

“ We really see Mezcla as a safe place for others to be using their voice in the way that they know how, through the power of film. Allowing Mezcla to be an inclusive space, where others feel that they can come to us for resources. But also know that they have the power and access and everything that they need inside themselves to excel and allow for a space of deep collaboration. That doing this work of being anti-racist will allow us to be intentional and conscious in all that we do. To make sure that even if we make mistakes along the way, that there are these strong principles for the organization to have its backbone to grow, both in Chicago [and nationally].”

Meet Colette Ghunim, Co-Founder + ED of Mezcla Media Collective and a 2022 Antiracist Restorative Practice (ARP) Cohort member:

The biggest part of why the ARP Cohort matters so much is because we need more nonprofit organizations committed to fostering an antiracist organization. Now that her cohort experience is complete, we asked Colette what she took away from this transformative cohort experience. 
Specifically, how the Mezcla Media Collective utilized the $10,000 grant to build their organizations’ capacity and what does she imagine for the Mezcla Media Collective as they continue to foster an antiracist organization. Take the time to read her responses below: 

How will Mezcla Media Collective use the stipend to build its capacity and advance its mission?

2022 ARP Cohort Members

  • Aiyeshia Hudson-Wong

    Liberation Journeys

  • Colette Ghunim

    Mezcla Media Collective

  • Ed Redd

    Y.E.M.B.A Inc.

  • Estelle Lozano

    DishRoulette Kitchen

  • Jasmine Lopez

    The Firehouse Dream

  • Jhonathan F. Gómez

    Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America - CRLN

  • Joseph Williams

    Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club

  • La'Keisha Gray-Sewell - Girls Like Me Project

    Dominicca Washington - The SHE Society Inc

    Antonio Gutierrez - OCAD, Organized Communities Against Deportation

    C Maritza Nazario - En Las Tablas Performing Arts

    Edwin Martinez - Centro Sanar

    Jamie Frazier - Lighthouse Foundation

    Aisha Oliver - Root2fruit Youth Foundation

    Antonio Santos - Gage Park Latinx Council

Past Antiracist Restorative Practice Cohort Members