Here's what past attendees have said about the experience:
"What's being expressed here is essential for us to move together as a people."
"I feel like I'm evolving towards a new language to describe the radical love for humanity that I have, and I'm sure that many others have."
"One of the most inspiring events I've ever participated in, professionally and personally.”
If you haven’t attended one before, our O&B conferences are special. They're joyous, dynamic and uniquely-curated. We share cutting-edge ideas, illuminate powerful stories, utilize the power of arts and culture, and embody Beloved Community—all to build a more fair and inclusive society.
Our goal is to create spaces where you can connect with others in your field and across a wide variety of sectors, geographies, and identities.
It's one thing to talk about belonging, it's another to create it.
Oakland isn't just the place many of us call home. It is a remarkably diverse city that boasts some of the most innovative belonging work anywhere: from its inspiring mural program, to countless innovative community efforts.
Thinkers, activists, and artists will be sharing ideas and models for building places of true belonging at every level—in our workplaces, classrooms, cities and states, as well as internally, relationally, and spiritually.
We’ll center bridging as a response to fracturing and division, and elevate the need for more complex and nuanced stories that reflect our true multi-layered identities.
From our experience hosting O&B conferences since 2015, what we have witnessed is the true power of gathering: We belong together.
I can’t wait to see you-
Rachelle Galloway-Popotas
Conference Director
PS - OBI is seeking sponsors to help us bring these vibrant conferences to life. If you'd like to support the next Othering & Belonging Conference please contact obconf@berkeley.edu!