BOLD 2023 COURSES

Our 2023 program

BOLD is a commitment to a powerful and coordinated Black Left.  Our 2023 course offerings aim to fulfil this  commitment by offering training in three domains: political education, transformative organizing and embodied leadership. BOLD courses also build a community of practice among Black Left organizers committed to courageously and consistently taking responsibility for achieving a collective vision of liberation, even in the face of uncertain and changing conditions.

Upcoming Course applications

QUILOMBO SCHOOL (DIRECTORS & LEAD ORGANIZERS) TRAINING

Leadership is an embodiment of an ideal. A movement is only as good as its organizers.
-Kwame Ture
This year’s course aims to build the embodied leadership, sharpen the political clarity, and strengthen the organizational effectiveness of Black Directors and Lead Organizers to be more confident, trustworthy, powerful and effective–under the pressures of transforming ourselves, leading organizations and organizing for our liberation.
 
The twenty-week course includes:
  • Four Training Retreats (featuring individual and collective transformative practice; political education on core issues)
  • Mentoring/coaching and technical assistance
  • Readings, case studies and conference calls
  • Webinar lessons supporting course content
  • Bodywork and somatic coaching

Who Should Apply: Applicants should be a Black Executive Director, Director or Lead Organizer at Black / Black-Led organizing formation or a multiracial organization with significant Black leadership in its staff and in its membership. Applicants should connect with BOLD’s commitment to a powerful and coordinated Black Left.

Course Dates: May 15-19, July 17-21, August 21-26, October 2-6
Travel day is Monday and departure time is Friday after 6 PM EST. You must be able to attend all 4 retreats.

Location: BOLD Retreat Center in South Georgia.

Tuition: $6,000 plus organizations are responsible for covering applicant transportation costs. *Sliding scale and Scholarships are available.
 
Application Period: January 19 – March 19. Applications will be reviewed beginning in March. Interviews will be scheduled with potential candidates through early April. Decision letters will be sent by April 17.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

AMANDLA ORGANIZER TRAININGS

Every campaign for specific objectives can only heighten the political consciousness of African-Americans. There is no use deceiving ourselves, good education, housing and jobs, are imperatives for power.
                                                                                                                                                                                   -Malcolm X
 

This year’s Amandla Organizer Training will merge Fundamentals and Praxis into a three month cohort. The course centered in the Black Transformative Organizing (BTO) Tradition which seeks to combine personal transformation and transformation of our relationships into our fight for Black liberation, radical social change, and a just society. The first two weeks will focus on BTO core theory and history, the fundamental skills of base-building and leadership development, as well as an embodied approach to learning and developing their skills.During the third week of Praxis, participants are “live”on a concrete campaign hosted by a BOLD organization adding critical capacity to the group’s organizing drive, while also building their own skills, and participating in classroom training that deepens their understanding of campaign work.

In this three month course, we teach participants to:

  • Practice the art and science of Black Organizing with greater understanding, commitment and effectiveness;
  • Recognize what motivates them to organize and how to use that motivation as fuel to drive their organizing work and connect them deeply to others;
  • Assess their organizing with greater accuracy and identify at least one major competency that they are excited–and committed–to increasing;
  • Contribute to building and sustaining powerful teams, whether as team lead or as a member; and
  • Integrate the theory and practice of Transformative Organizing in their work.
  • Participate effectively in an organizing campaign:
  • Contribute powerfully to designing and implementing an organizing campaign, and more accurately measure its impact; and
  • Build on and deepen relationships with other Black organizers in the context of shared work.

Who Should Apply: Applicants should be new Black organizers and/or organizers, at Black / Black-Led organizing formation or a multiracial organization with significant Black leadership in its staff and in its membership, who have not had the opportunity to experience training on the fundamental art and science of organizing through the Black Radical Tradition. Applicants must be able to attend ALL retreat and Praxis dates.. Priority will be given to organizations whose Director / Executive Director is a BOLD Alumni.

Course Dates: June 5-9; July 24-28, Sept 18-22. (Travel day is Monday and departure time is Friday after 3 PM EST.)

Location: Weeks 1 & 2 will be at BOLD Retreat Center in South Georgia; Praxis location to be determined

Tuition: $6,000 plus organizations are responsible for covering applicant transportation costs. *Sliding scale and Scholarships are available.

Applications Open: February 6th, 2023

Black August Exemplary Movement Intensive

This intensive BOLD alumni will fast, study, train and fight for our transformation and the liberation of our people as we commemorate the month of resistance. 

The intensive includes:

  • Three day retreat includes political study & discussion, physical activity with an emphasis on jo practice
  • Black August launch Aug 1st, 6:00-7:30 PM EST | online
  • Black August closing ceremony August 31st, 6:00-7:30 PM EST | online

Who Should Apply: Any BOLD alumni who want an experience of radical rigor, political study and deep comradeship. Especially those seeking to learn how to be a supportive presence that will sustain trusting authentic relationships as well as effectively collaborate with others in teams, partnerships, alliances.  Applicants should connect with BOLD’s commitment to a powerful and coordinated Black Left.

Travel Dates: The intensive starts on Thursday morning, August 3rd and ends at noon on Saturday, August 5th  2023. Travel day is Tuesday and departure time for flights is Saturday after 4:00  PM EST.  

Location:  BOLD Retreat Center in South Georgia.

Tuition: $1,000 plus organizations are responsible for covering applicant transportation costs.  *Sliding scale and Scholarships are available.

Application Period: Application Closed

Mbongi: Sankofa Exemplary Movement Intensive

This end of the year intensive will gather the BOLD nation to connect and learn from our victories and challenges faced while exploring possible solutions, and creating strategies for collective action.

The intensive includes:

  • Three day in-person retreat includes individual reflection, political discussions and blended with embodiment practices.

Who Should Apply:  BOLD alumni who are Directors and/or Lead Directors seeking to reflect and assess their organizing while learning with and from peers.  Applicants should connect with BOLD’s commitment to a powerful and coordinated Black Left.

Travel Dates: The intensive starts on Thursday morning, December 15th and ends at noon on Saturday, December 17th  2023. Travel day is Wednesday and departure time for flights is Saturday after 4:00 PM EST.  

Location:  BOLD Retreat Center in South Georgia.  

Tuition: $1,000 plus organizations are responsible for covering applicant transportation costs.  *Sliding scale and Scholarships are available.

Application Opens: Tuesday, August 15th