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UNLEASHTHEPOWERWITHINWINTER/SPRING 2019PROGRAM GUIDE
Real magic invites us to pay close attention to our hearts. Unlike our usual head trips,it calls to us through our passions and desires; shocks our circuits as novel ideas; andexcites the very core of our beings. And when we lean into it, we make some profounddiscoveries.We learn that we have more power than we think and fewer limitations than we’ve beentaught. These are earthshaking insights for those of us who’ve been confused about ourpower by oppressive systems and harmful conditioning. Yet when we engage our power,it’s like wielding our very own magic wands. Using these wands reveals that in the webof life we are both cause and effect, with deeper connections to everything than mightreadily be apparent.ASo, what are the qualities that will help us access our magic and unleash our personalpower in 2019? The list is long, but let’s focus on the 3 A’s –authenticityattentionappreciationLiberated LivingINSIGHTS FROMOUR FOUNDERThe beginning of a new year is always a great time to talk about magic. Now before yourealists roll your eyes and stop reading, I should be clear that I don’t mean Black Pantherinvincibility or Dora Milaje super strength. What I’m referring to is a state of lush livingthat delights our senses and adds dimension to our real life experiences. This magic israre not because it’s mythical, but because it’s unpracticed and flies in the face of whatwe’ve been told about “how life really works.” Yet, if we temporarily suspend our disbelief,we’d see that magic is both within and around us. It whispers to us through our longingsas it patiently awaits our notice.2We’ll begin with authenticity, beautifully defined by Shakespeare in Hamlet as, “to thineown self be true.” Being ourselves without pretense may cost us a measure of socialacceptance, but it liberates our thinking and accelerates our growth. When we stoppretending to be, think and feel what makes others comfortable, we take back our powerto be self-determining.Living authentically means that we no longer spend time lying, hiding and avoiding.Instead, we are free to give quality attention to the true muses of our lives like family,pleasure, learning, justice, healing, faith and purpose. Attending to our muses, and notjust to our daily “musts,” strengthens our appreciation for the essence of life. And, it’s thisappreciation that inspires life’s magic, for it’s impossible to elevate that which we don’tappreciate.The 3 A’s remind us that we’re more than just cogs in a machine – we’re creators whosepassions and commitments shape reality once unleashed. If we remember this, we’ll besure to touch magic in 2019.Rebeccah BennettFounder3
TABLE OF CONTENTSWELCOME TO INPOWER INSTITUTE 5MEET THE TEAM 6MONTHLY OVERVIEW 8SPIRITUAL GROWTH & DISCOVERY 10HOLISTIC HEALTH & HEALING 11ABUNDANT LIVING 12HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPS 13CULTURAL ARTS & EXPRESSION 14COMMUNITY & JUSTICE 15EVENTS 16WELCOME TOINPOWER INSTITUTEWe are delighted that you found us – we’ve been waiting for you! Your interests in healingand well-being have brought you to our community of healers, sages, seekers, teachers,change agents, activists, spirit workers, earth allies, artists, revolutionaries and bloominghumans. Together, we work to advance wholeness and well-being for ourselves andour peoples.While we follow many practices and paths, we are united by a shared purpose – tounleash the power within ourselves so that we and others heal from life’s traumas;activate our untapped potential; and cultivate the capacities needed to create a morejust and vibrant world. As part of our work, we co-create community healing spaces that:Tend to boththe core and theconditions of ourpeoplesLovingly bearwitness to our truthsAffirm our powerand sufficiencyunder allcircumstancesInspire andencourage our mostauthentic selfexpressionsProvide platformsfor us to exerciseour purpose and ourpowerChallenge beliefs,structures andsystems thatendanger our livesBring us into rightrelationship withourselves and othersSeed thehealed futurefor succeedinggenerationsOur reach is global, extending to all who endeavor to positively transform themselves andthe human condition. Yet our roots are deeply embedded in the fertile ground of Africandiaspora families and cultures; black womanhood and sisterhood; ancestor reverence;indigenous wisdom traditions; liberation theology; and movements for LGBTQIA rightsand racial, social and economic justice. Anchored by our roots, we call upon our courage,passions, resources, connections, skills and wisdom to help turn life’s messes intomedicines that are not only capable of healing us, but also our communities.45
MEET THE TEAMRebeccah BennettFounder & PrincipalRebeccah Bennett, InPower Institute’s founder and root teacher, is ahighly-regarded community healer, spiritual director and life coach.Her mission is to help people manifest the highest and best withinthemselves and create communities that sustain the best in usall. For more than 20 years, she has inspired, coached, trained andhelped tens of thousands of people and hundreds of organizations,always working to elevate human consciousness and conditions.Healing Justice Fellow & Artist-in-ResidenceBlack freedom at any cost is a deep commitment Brittíni lives as amaster strategist who creatively works to heal communities fromtrauma. A poet, healer and organizer, Brittíni has always worked atthe intersections of art, healing, spirituality and justice. Beautifullyblended, these passions are her life’s work.April Warren-GriceLisa PettisLorren Z. BuckMDiv., Director, Operations and Administration & Pastoral FellowWith a background in ministry, sexual education and nonprofit management, Lorren Buck brings a wealth of talentsto the InPower team. She co-leads the Institute’s spiritualgrowth and discovery programming, offering workshops onspirituality, sexuality and gender. She also serves as the Directorof Operations and Administration where she manages theInstitute’s systems and infrastructure.Storytelling FellowCheeraz Gormon has over 15-years of experience craftingcompelling and culturally relevant stories that resonate withpeople in meaningful and impactful ways. As a visual storyteller,poet, author, award winning advertising copywriter, and twotime TEDxGatewayArch speaker, Cheeraz brings a wealth ofexpertise to InPower. She uses the spoken and written wordto give voice and visibility to the untold truths of individuals,organization and communities.ēNiCōLJessireé JenkinsPhD, DirectorDr. April Warren-Grice leads program design, development, andcoordination at InPower. A highly-regarded research-practitionerand educational equity visionary, Dr. April believes wellness issocial justice and takes a holistic approach to the development ofthe mind, body, and spirit.Holistic Fitness & Wellness FellowA master fitness trainer and practitioner of holistic wellness, ēNiCōLshares with InPower her keen passion for healthy living. For her,passion is purpose and includes co-creating healing spaces formarginalized populations, artistic expression and cooperativecommunity development.6Brittíni GrayPhD, Child Well-Being AdvocateDr. Lisa M. Pettis is a Renaissance woman whose many gifts andtalents span from the pulpit to parenting. At InPower, she works totransform systems, structures and behaviors that oppress children.She leads programs that advance the liberation of young people sothey can live happy, healthy lives free from violence.Cheeraz GormonCommunity Engagement StrategistJessireè Jenkins supports InPower in maintaining meaningfulconnections with its community members. Her backgroundas a library professional and her interests in technology, civicengagement, social justice and self-care make her a perfect fit forthe bold work of the Institute.7
MONTHLY 7282930282930315Mama Me6Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the Soul, Collaborators DreamingWorkshop7 Vision Boarding for Black Trans & QueerLiberation12 Mama Me, “Movement Woman:The Making of a Crew:Docuseries Watch Party, In Plain Sight:Sex Trafficking in St. Louis13 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the Soul, Break the Chains:Whippin’ Testimonies, RestorativeYoga, Meditation, and Sound HealingWorkshop15 Lavender Nights - Lewa Farable16 Flower Boi18 One Family Drum Circle19 Mama Me, Creative Retreats20 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the Soul26 StoryTellers Skill Share, Genius 365,Mama Me27 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salon forthe Soul, Lewa Farabale - A WomanistGathering, Break the Chains: Whippin’Testimonies82Mama Me3Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the SoulWhite Awake Caucus GroupStorytellers Skill Share, Mama Me,“Movement Woman: The Making of aCrew: Docuseries Watch Party, BlackWomxn Playwright Workshop, InBetween the Sheets: Love Sex & Intimacy4910 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salon forthe Soul, Break the Chains: Whippin’Testimonies12 Lavender Nights - Lewa Farable15 One Family Drum Circle16 Creative Retreats17 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the Soul20 Flower Boi23 Black Womxn Playwright Workshop,Minimalism: Living Intentionally Free,StoryTellers Skill Share24 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salon forthe Soul, Break the Chains: Whippin’Testimonies, Lewa Farabale - AWomanist Gathering*Please check www.InPowerInstitute.comfor cancellations, additions or reschedules.12Mama Scrap’s Pool Heating RetreatMama Scrap’s Pool Heating Retreat3Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the SoulWhite Awake Caucus GroupStorytellers Skill Share, “MovementWoman: The Making of a Crew:Docuseries Watch Party,Black Womxn Playwright Workshop4910 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the Soul15 One Family Drum Circle16 Creative Retreats17 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the Soul19 Lavender Nights - Lewa Farable20 Flower Boi23 Uprise! Yoga, Storytellers Skill Share,Black Womxn Playwright Workshop,Sewing for the Soul, Healing Touch Empowering the Body to Heal24 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salon forthe Soul, Healing Touch - Empoweringthe Body to Heal, Restorative Yoga,Meditation, and Sound Healing Workshop,Break the Chains: Whippin’ Testimonies30 Forest Exploration and NatureConnection Series31 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salon forthe Soul, Lewa Farabale - A WomanistGathering16White Awake Caucus GroupStorytellers Skill Share, ChocoLIT PodcastLaunch, Black Womxn PlaywrightWorkshop7Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the Soul9 Lavender Nights - Lewa Farable13 “Movement Woman: The Making of aCrew: Docuseries Watch Party14 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salonfor the Soul17 Flower Boi19 One Family Drum Circle20 Creative Retreats, Storytellers Skill Share,Black Womxn Playwright Workshop21 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salon forthe Soul27 Who You Calling A B!txh?!28 Uprise! Yoga, Spirit Rising: A Salon forthe Soul30 Spank Out DaySPIRITUAL GROWTH & DISCOVERYHOLISTIC HEALTH & HEALINGABUNDANT LIVINGHARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPSCULTURAL ARTS & EXPRESSIONCOMMUNITY & JUSTICE9
SPIRITUAL GROWTH& DISCOVERYEXPLORETHESACREDThe mysteries of the divine call us into the deepest waters ofhuman consciousness. Spiritual Growth & Discovery answers thiscall by helping us explore what is most sacred to us individuallyand collectively. This exploration expands our understanding ofourselves, invites us to see beyond life’s appearances and reinforcesour connection to Life Source. We grow as a result, experiencinggreater meaning in our lives and a deepened appreciation of life’smany gifts and wonders.EMBRACEWHOLENESS& RENEWALMany of the conditions of life can leave us hurting, fracturedand fragmented. Through Holistic Health & Healing we aresupported in embracing and ultimately expressing wholenessand renewal. These states of being are our birthrights, butoften go unclaimed in the face of compounded distresses,which contaminate the sweet waters of life with dis-ease. Wecan, however, learn to realign to our core. It nourishes us bycalling forth vital life force energy that helps to restore ourbodies, minds and souls.SHE IS RISENJAMAICA WAS People of the African diaspora have always had a strong commitment to liberation andfreedom, which has been fueled by our relationships with the Divine. This commitment andthe untamable spirit that drives it were present in the maroons of Accompong. As my InPowersistahs and I journeyed up Jamaica’s rugged, meandering mountains, we met these kindredpeople who have lived life on the road less traveled. Our pilgrimage to their communityrevealed a blessed freedom that came from generations of struggle to rise above bondage.Jamaica was Like golden brown, homemade pie crustThat your Mothers’ Mothers madeAnd the secrets to all its ingredients wereWarmly Instilled in YOU.In the 18th century, Queen Nanny and her brothers fled enslavement for Accompong’sunpolished mountains. For 50 years they resisted the British who attempted to lay siege totheir community and return them to chattel slavery. They strategized how to protect theirchildren and grandchildren from a caste system which demanded their complete subjugation.They also lived and fought under duress, all while worshiping, tilling the land and caring fortheir community.Riding through the mountains on June 23, Irealized that if I was in America I would be afraid.A van load of black folks traveling through ruralareas would not be safe. But this was not thewoods. We were in the tropics. We were home.BY LORREN Z. BUCKReflecting on Queen Nanny and her brothers, I asked myself if my dreams and convictionswere worth a 50-year fight. When that which I “name takes 50 years to claim,” will I still rejoicewithin the sacred alter of my soul?We as a people have cultivated our internal power to combat external forces. In
unleash the power within ourselves so that we and others heal from life’s traumas; activate our untapped potential; and cultivate the capacities needed to create a more just and vibrant world. As part of our work, we co-create community healing spaces that: Our reach is global, extending to all who endeavor to positively transform themselves and
