Explore our Fiscally Sponsored Programs and Community Partners

Embrace Incubator & Community of Practice

An impact incubator and community of practice guided by love & liberation.
Fiscally Sponsored by Holistic Underground.

  • Embrace is a community of spiritual innovators and seekers embodying beloved community. This is achieved through exploring modern methods for providing a sense of purpose, belonging, meaning and beyond to BIPOC and our allies. By practicing healing justice, radical joy and building transformative relationships across lines of difference, we are creating a replicable model for what community and movements can do and be.

  • Traditional spiritual and cultural institutions, many of which were the birthplace of our modern movements for justice, did not only provide regular events and programming for the community. They also provided a suite of services for community leaders, healers, practitioners, elders, artists and others who provided essential services to the community. The Embrace Impact Incubator addresses the other side of the solution to the crisis of soul and separation which underlies the social, political and economic challenges we face as a people. This is achieved by providing the tactical support, coaching, and resources they need to scale, prosper, and thrive while doing the best work of their lives.

Community development, equity research, legal services and more empowering immigrants for a brighter tomorrow.
Fiscally Sponsored by Holistic Underground.

Led by Sudanese-American lawyer, Gamila Halim, staffed by professional women specialist in civic engagement and health services, Communities Upwards has built health programs, community leadership and public participation links among the Middle Eastern population in the Bay Area

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  • To create a society where all immigrants, especially women, can flourish. We provide vital support, resources, and advocacy, ensuring integration, cultural exchange, and holistic well-being. Together, we aim to break barriers and illuminate the path to a brighter future.

  • In partnership with the University of California Office of the President and the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program, CU initiated California’s first significant study focusing on Middle Eastern Immigrant Women in California. Furthermore, they have done important research with this community regarding breast cancer prevention and the impact of refined sugar on families and communities. Beyond just research, CU is engaged in exploring culturally relevant interventions and solutions.

  • Communities Upwards has been an essential resource for refugee communities from North and East Africa seeking political support in the United States.

More Collaborations and Partnerships

Indigenous-Led Eco-Justice in the Jungles of Borneo with Forever Sabah

The state of Sabah on the island of Borneo, Malaysia, is being stewarded to a visionary future. Forever Sabah is supporting Sabah’s transition to a diversified, equitable, and circular economy. Holistic Underground was invited to lead a skill-building retreat for these incredible leaders. The Holistic Underground Workshops found themselves on the other side of the world, facilitated in the vibrance of tropical fruits and mountain views.

 

Pan-African economic solidarity in Accra, Ghana with Repaired Nations

Repaired Nations invited us to co-design and train facilitators for a series of workshops introducing Black folks in Oakland, Richmond, and the Bay Area to the power and possibilities of cooperative business ownership. When that invitation expanded to support fundraising and accompanying a delegation to Accra, Ghana to co-produce an international, Pan-African solidarity economics conference, we jumped on the plane.

 

“Environmental Justice Beyond Burnout” with Sunrise Movement Bay Area

We partnered with Kat Koh, Daniel Jubelierer, Maja Jerkic, and Alison Roeser, (fellow Academy-Trained coaches) to bring resilience tools and skill development to one of our biggest social-movement inspirations: the Sunrise Movement, Bay-Area division. Like us, Sunrise likes to bring music and creativity into the work... let's just say, it was lit like the sunrise.

 

Addressing Racial Displacement in Oakland with Black Tech for Black Lives

Many of our clients are visionary startups leveraging tech to create solutions to social issues or increase access and resource for communities who have been historically marginalized. When Black Tech for Black Lives launched its pledge, we were among the first to sign it, and that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship rooted in building community and working for liberation.

 

Opening Pathways for Black Community Ownership with OAXXANDA

At a time where equity is focused on as a trend rather than an outcome, some initiatives stand apart. After an18 month long professional development program powered by Repaired Nations with Training and Facilitation from Holistic Underground, OAXXANDA (Rhymes with Wakanda) was born. Years later, they have successfully purchased multiple acres of cooperatively owned property in Northern California currently being developed for residence, agriculture and community programming.

 

Job training for people returning from incarceration and working to overcome homeless with Code Tenderloin

Code Tenderloin was one of HUs first client-partners, allowing us the opportunity to share the communication and collaboration skills we teach with folks who can use them to take a pivotal step in their lives and career.

 

Practicing alternatives for Police Response to Mental Illness, Drug Abuse and Homelessness crises with Concrn

Among the most exciting and educational partnerships of our history was a police-alternative experiment: Concrn.org. The majority of San Francisco's 911 calls are in response to substance abuse, mental illness, or the homelessness crisis. Members of HU were among the first crisis responders, armed with musical instruments, snacks, and compassion. As we saw new sides of community care, the housing crisis, and policing, we also the need to provide the healers with some healing, so we provided workshops and wellness training for responders.

 

Bringing JEDI to the field of advanced illness and end-of-life care with Lets Reimagine

To the backdrop of a Global Pandemic and healthcare inequities along the lines of race, gender, and class more stark than ever before, we had the honor of partnering with letsreimagine.org, creating sacred spaces for people to talk about the experience that brings us all together: death and loss.

 

Bringing Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to Health & Wellness

Working with healers, wellness practitioners, and healthcare professionals was among the first foundations of Holistic Underground, so when Three Moon Collective hosted us for a workshop on "Deconstructing Wellness," there was a lot to talk about. Many of those participants are now our clients as solo-entrepreneurs or with their organizations.