​Unlearning our oppressive conditioning

​If we want to design for 'positive' change, we must undo the ways that systems of harm and domination live within us — in our minds, bodies, relationships, and decisions.

​This summer, we’re opening the doors of The Grove: Foundations of Design Changemaking for a special community dialogue to explore what unlearning oppression looks and feels like.

​What to Expect

​This is a communal space to pause, reflect, and be in honest conversation with yourself and with others.

• ​We’ll open and close with light grounding exercises

• ​Under care-led facilitation, we'll explore how systems like white supremacy, colonialism, and capitalism have shaped us — and what it might mean to begin loosening their grip

• ​We may break into smaller groups for deeper conversation

​We'll be gathering for 1 hour 15 minutes officially (with an extra 15 minutes for overflow if we need it).

​Who this is for

​This gathering is for Grove participants and values-aligned changemakers working to transform products, services, programs, organizations, and systems.

You may be, for instance, a UX designer, researcher, technologist, facilitator, educator, or organizational leader. We believe everyone designs, no matter your background.

​About The Grove

​This is part of a seasonal series of community dialogues within The Grove: Foundations of Design Changemaking, our flagship learning immersion for values-driven folks who seek to design for social and environmental change.

​You'll also get a special look into this self-paced and community-driven learning immersion if you want to continue your journey with us.

​​Access considerations

​We will offer closed captions, a live transcript, and multiple modes of participation (chat, live discussion, and small groups).

​Space is limited to 25 participants to support depth and intimacy. Sliding scale pricing helps make this experience accessible:

• ​Sprout: $0-15 – "Low-cost" tier for those facing financial hardship - you can pay what you can (more slots will open up as others contribute "above cost")

• ​Bloom: $20 – "Full cost" tier for those with disposable income, professional development funds, or institutional support.

• ​Nurture: $40 – "above cost" pay-it-forward tier (helps funds access for others)

​​Image description for event image: Illustrated graphic with leafy foliage in the background. Text reads: “Unlearning our oppressive conditioning” “Wed Aug 13th” “Summer community dialogue hosted in The Grove” (with a small illustrated palm tree). Design Changemakers logo.

​Privacy & care considerations

​This session will be recorded but only shared with participants in The Grove. Any attendee can request for their participation in the session to be deleted from the recording. You can also participate anonymously with camera off, no display picture and no display name.

​All participants must abide by our community agreements or will be removed from the session.

​​About the Convener & Design Changemakers

​​​This gathering is convened by Sandra Camacho (She/Her), aka Sandra By Design, an independent design strategist, educator, and community-builder specializing in social & systemic change.

​​​She's honored to hold space for changemakers under the umbrella of Design Changemakers, a gathering place for collective learning and co-design of liberatory futures. Connect with her on LinkedIn.