October Circle
We spend a lot of time talking about what’s hard, what needs to change, and how we repair harm. But building restorative community also means making space to notice what’s good.
Join us for a lighthearted evening of connection, creativity, and celebration as we share the wins, small joys, moments of laughter, people we appreciate, and things we’re looking forward to. Through meaningful conversation, art, and poetry, we’ll slow down enough to notice the goodness that’s already here—and witness it in one another.
You don’t need to have a big accomplishment or a profound story to share. Small joys count. Come as you are, bring something good to the circle, and let’s create a little more goodness together.
Sankofa Sisterhood Circle for Mothers of Black Boys
A dedicated space for women and femmes who hold the often invisible labor of caregiving, whether as mothers, aunties, tias, grandmothers, guardians, or community caregivers, all are welcome.
Resisting Anti-Blackness In the Latino Community
Restorative Houston is proudly partnering with La Chingona Collab, and Cineroots, to present this circle at the Resistance Film Fest at MECA Houston! As Latinos, many of us have inherited beliefs about race, skin color, beauty, culture, and belonging that we may not have consciously chosen—but that were shaped by centuries of colonization, white supremacy, and racial hierarchy. Resisting oppression also means refusing to reproduce it—and our existence, our accountability, and our commitment to one another can all be acts of resistance. In this restorative circle, we’ll create space to explore how anti-Blackness shows up in Latino culture, where these beliefs came from, and how they continue to shape our families, communities, and ideas about success, belonging, and liberation. Together, we’ll examine what we’ve inherited, how we may have internalized or participated in these patterns, and what it means to begin unlearning them. We will be featuring a sound bowl session by Alejandra Hernandez, LMSW. This is not a space for shame or blame. It’s a space for honesty, accountability, healing, and collective liberation. Through storytelling, reflection, movement, and facilitated dialogue, we’ll explore the question: If our liberation is connected, what does it look like to resist the beliefs that keep us divided? This circle is specifically for members of the Latino/Latinx community who are willing to engage in honest self-reflection around anti-Blackness. You do not need to have all the answers—you just need to come with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to listen.
Sembrando Semillas: An Introduction to Xinachtli Pedagogy
Please join the Indigenous Cultures Institute (ICI) and Restorative Houston for a workshop introducing the Xinachtli pedagogy, an approach to teaching and learning that is based in Maya, Nahua, and Coahuiltecan philosophy and knowledge, that has been developed by Maestro Carlos Aceves for over 25 yeas.
Tānko approximates “to teach” in Coahuiltecan. Xinachtli (Sheen-ach-tlee) is a Nahuatl concept that refers to the in-between moment in which a seed germinates, representing the pedagogy’s view of children and all learners as full of infinite possibilities.
This workshop introduces participants to a pedagogy that engages learners’ cultural heritages and existing knowledge bases in order to build a natural and relational understanding of the world and view themselves as active participants in it. During this workshop, facilitators from the Tānko Circle will share foundational Xinachtli teachings that they have learned and put into practice in outdoor, community, university and K-12 education settings. Workshop participants will engage in activities that utilize embodied learning, Tlahtocan (circle dialogue), Teyolia (meditation), metaphors, and storytelling and begin to envision these practices within their work.
We welcome participants working with youth, communities, in formal or informal education environments, to join us in sembrando semillas- planting seeds- so that we may cultivate teaching and learning practices that are rooted in the local lands, waters, and Indigenous intellectual traditions.
Sankofa Sisterhood Circle for Black Mothers of Black Boys
What does it mean to raise a Black son in today's world? F.U.S.I.O.N Houston is creating a space where Black mothers can gather in community, speak their truth, and be held with care. We're excited to amplify The Sankofa Sister Circle: Black Male Mom Edition, a restorative and healing-centered gathering designed for Black mothers raising Black boys and young men.
This circle is an opportunity to:
✨ Speak honestly about the challenges of raising Black males
✨ Name fears without judgment or dismissal
✨ Share experiences navigating stereotypes and societal expectations
✨ Explore the tension between protecting sons and allowing them the freedom to simply be children
✨ Celebrate the humor, creativity, tenderness, accomplishments, and unique personalities of Black boys
✨ Exchange wisdom, support, and practical strategies with other mothers
✨ Reconnect with hope, community, and collective strength
The circle will be kept by Restorative Houston Co Founder Tisha Wilson, who was inspired to host it after the death of Nolan Wells. An educator and restorative practitioner, Tisha is a co founder as well of F.U.S.I.O.N. Houston, whose vision is "that through education and collaboration, we will uplift and empower youth and families of color to thrive and attain knowledge and personal fulfillment."
🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gZiVcyrj
#SankofaCircle #RestorativeJustice
Our First Gala
We're bringing together donors, practitioners, apprentices and community partners to share light bites, connect, and celebrate the growing movement for community rooted justice in Houston. Dress code is JOYFUL and snazzy! We will have featured auction items, a DJ, Kendra Scott pop up shop, and a selfie booth.
We are honored to feature nationally recognized restorative justice practitioner, author, and trainer Felix Rosado as our keynote speaker. Felix co‑founded Let’s Circle Up, a restorative justice project created inside Graterford State Prison, where he spent 27 years leading peace‑building and anti‑violence initiatives before receiving executive clemency in 2022. Now living in Philadelphia, Felix serves as Executive Director of Let’s Circle Up and teaches at Chestnut Hill College and the Community College of Philadelphia. He is the author of Justice from the Inside Up: A Restorative Justice Education Facilitator’s Manual, a foundational text for practitioners across the country.
Every donation makes a difference! We thank you for your contribution. If you prefer to donate via Zelle so we do not have to pay fees, our email is info@restorativehouston.org
Organization Information
Restorative Houston
