Due to holiday, our next meeting will be on Monday, September 8 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. ET.


See info about our next gathering, Summer Reading, Community Offerings and Accountability Hubs below.

Undoing Racism®

First Monday Executive Collective Gathering

Join Us on Zoom: Monday, September 8, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. ET


September Topic:


Lead with Purpose in the Age of AI


Join us for our first Monday September gathering, a thoughtful, inclusive space designed specifically for nonprofit leaders to explore the promise and impact of Artificial Intelligence.

Together, we’ll reflect on how AI is shaping our daily work, our teams, and the communities we serve. This is more than a tech talk. It’s a values-driven conversation about how to engage with AI in ways that strengthen organizational culture, support your mission, and foster trust and connection.


No technical background required — just a spirit of curiosity and care. Bring your questions, your insights, and your vision. Let’s explore how AI can become a tool for healing, collaboration, and collective learning in the social services sector.


Presenter: Joshua Abiazar

Undoing Racism® Executive Collective Gathering 


ZOOM REGISTRATION


You Must Register in advance to join this gathering. 


Click here to Register:


https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ikLHENvwTfe_gvd_Cqyp8w


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the gathering.


PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL TO REGISTER.


If you have any problems with the Zoom link, please contact: mpgconsultingnyc@gmail.com

Undoing Racism® First Monday Executive Collective Overview:


This collective is designed for individuals in senior leadership roles within their organizations, particularly executive directors and their senior leadership teams, who hold decision-making authority and are dedicated to strengthening their values-driven organizations. It is especially suited for those committed to enhancing leadership practices that foster a welcoming culture of collaboration, wellness, and accountability.


The First Monday Executive Collective provides a space to learn from guest speakers, explore valuable resources, and build community to connect, support, and inspire each other during this season of instability. Our community engages in authentic conversations about the challenges of leading and bridge-building in a fractured world. Participants develop strategies and solutions to maximize the potential of their teams and improve services for the utmost benefits for their clients. All are welcome.

PRESENTER

Joshua Abiazar (He/They/El/Elle) 

A Holistic Heart & Healing-Centered Racial Equity Facilitator and practitioner experienced in designing and creating racial equity/healing spaces that centers the humanity of anyone in it by using second circle framework and practices. Participants experiencing these circles of belonging and workshops encounter holistic, practical, and sustainable ways to embody the tools and practices towards individual and collective liberation. As a Spanish speaking, first-generation immigrant, Joshua uses not just educational and somatic practices, but also lived experiences to help others live authentically. In 2021, Joshua officially launched UsirConsulting to continue the vision creating a global community of belonging where everyone has access to holistic and practical ways to thrive. He calls the Dominican Republic, and The Bronx, New York his home.



*Scroll down for Summer Reading, New Resources, Community Offerings & Accountability Hubs

SUMMER READING

Make Work Fair by Iris Bohnet & Siri Chilazi


In Make Work Fair, Iris Bohnet and Siri Chilazi offer an actionable blueprint to making fairness at work a reality, no matter your role, seniority, responsibilities, or where you are in the world. Their evidence-based methods—tested at many organizations and proven to work in the real world—help us make fairer, and simply better, decisions.

The Doors You Can Open

by Rosalind Chow


In The Doors You Can Open, organizational expert Rosalind Chow shows readers that they likely already engage in sponsorship in their personal and professional networks—and how they can channel those skills to build more authentic professional relationships.

SHIFT by Dr. Nicole Yeldell Butts


Written by Dr. Nicole Yeldell Butts, this book introduces the SHIFT framework, a step-by-step approach to building a strong, values-driven culture that aligns your people, purpose, and processes. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, SHIFT gives you the tools to lead meaningful change with clarity and confidence.

Talk to Me Nice by Minda Harts


In Talk to Me Nice, you’ll learn what workplace trust languages work for you and how to show colleagues, managers, and direct reports that they are valued. When we’re talking one another’s languages, we can rebuild a more equitable, sustainable, and profitable workplace that works for us all.

Negotiation: The Game Has Changed by Max. H. Bazerman


In The Game Has Changed, legendary Harvard Business School professor Max Bazerman, a pioneer in the field of negotiation, shows you how to negotiate successfully today by adapting proven negotiation principles and strategies to the challenging new contexts you face—from negotiating across cultural and political differences to trying to reach an agreement over Zoom or during a supply chain crisis.

Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others by Adam Galinsky


Whether you’re a leader, a member of a team, a spouse, or a parent, this engaging and rigorous exploration unpacks the science of inspiration. Through compelling stories, fascinating research, and practical tips for addressing the common dilemmas we face daily, Inspire reveals how all of us, regardless of status or circumstance, can be more inspiring more often.

Defy: The Power Of No In A World That Demands Yes by Dr. Sunita Sah


In a moment when many of us are anxious and unsure what to do—whether we’re confronting injustice on a social scale or facing something closer to home—award-winning researcher Dr. Sunita Sah offers simple strategies to activate your values.

Four Days a Week: The Life-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress, Improving Well-Being, and Working Smarter by Juliet B. Schor


Our current work culture,the five-day, forty-hours-a-week model—which has gone unchanged for nearly a century—is failing. But a remedial countertrend has emerged: the four-day work week. Hundreds of employers have eliminated the fifth day of work, successfully figuring out how to maintain productivity while seeing remarkable improvements in employee well-being. Hiring is easier and fewer people are quitting. These results are global.

Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives by Patricia Grabarek  and Katina Sawyer


Through a straightforward, science-based approach, Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives explains the steps to become a Generator―the type of leader who people want to work for and organizations want to hire―by leading in a way that fosters trust and positive connections with employees.

These book recommendations were adapted from Dolly Chugh’s Dear Good People newsletter.



RESOURCES FROM JULY FIRST MONDAY

The New Saints: From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors by Lama Rod Owens



NEW RESOURCES

The Conflict-Intelligent Leader by Peter T. Coleman (article)


There’s A Workplace Leadership Crisis. Here’s How To Solve It by William Arruda (article)

COMMUNITY OFFERINGS

Click here to learn more. 

Contact hello@theinnieproject.com for more info.

Click here to learn more.

Contact Lynn@mpgconsultingnyc.com for more info.

Click here to learn more.

Contact Lynn@mpgconsultingnyc.com for more info.

Click here to learn more. 

Contact Lynn@mpgconsultingnyc.com for more info.

ACCOUNTABILITY HUBS

We encourage you to connect with ACCOUNTABILITY HUBS. All Hubs Are Free!


Our Virtual Accountability Hubs offer an additional place to grapple in meaningful ways with your anti-racist leadership, practice, and organizational culture.


See updates and NEW hubs below.

All hubs are FREE.

AANHPI Undoing Racism® Collective

The AANHPI Undoing Racism® Collective is an Undoing Racism®Accountability Hub for all AANHPI Leaders who are invested in nurturing their organizations to become more equitable, just, and anti-racist institutions. This group offers the opportunity to gather with other AANHPI peers to explore our AANHPI identities and discuss collectively and honestly the challenges leaders encounter and to build strategies and support for overcoming

those challenges. We are a group of Asian Americans who meet via Zoom on the second Friday of every month at 11 am EST.

To learn more about he AANHPI Undoing Racism® Collective, email Ben at BenChanInbox@gmail.com



BIPOC SHIP Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub

BIPOC SHIP is a Black, Indigenous, People of Color Accountability Hub

that meets virtually every third Thursday at 2 pm EST to grapple with the

challenges in their organizations. It is a brave space where anti-racist professionals and service providers Support, Heal, Inspire, and Plan to dismantle barriers to equity. Participants enjoy an opportunity to add to their knowledge, focus on solutions, be in community, and expand their network with other passionate professionals committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression.

This gathering is open to all BIPOC who seek connection and solutions on their

anti-racist journey.

To join us for our next meeting, email Lynn at: lynn@mpgconsultingnyc.com, Kayla at Kayla@mpgconsultingnyc.com and Claire at CjulianMPGC@gmail.com



LEADERSHIP AND MIDDLE MANAGERS Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub

The Leadership and Middle Managers Accountability Hub is a brave space

for Middle Managers, Directors and Leadership teams of all races and cultural

backgrounds who are passionate about dismantling structural racism within

their institutions. This is a gathering for leaders with substantial decision-making authority who are invested in helping their organizations in becoming more equitable and anti-racist environments where everyone feels that they belong and that they can succeed. Participants virtually meet with peers at 9:30 am EST on the second Tuesday of the month to grapple collectively and honestly with the challenges anti-racist leaders encounter in their organizations.

To learn more about The Leadership and Middle Managers Accountability Hub, email Shane at shane.king98@yahoo.com



MOCA (Men Of Color Assemble) Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub

MOCA (Men of Color Assemble) is an Undoing Racism® Executive Collective Accountability Hub and a place for all men of color (Black, Indigenous, AANHPI, Latino) to shed some of the masks that we are forced to wear daily and grapple with the challenges in our professional and personal lives. It's an opportunity to be part of a community, experience joy, share pains, get answers from the collective, and expand your network with other passionate professionals committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression. Come laugh, vent, and try your hand at 90s Hip-Hop trivia. Hell, we might even frolic. We meet virtually every FIRST Thursday of the month from 2-3:30 PM EST.

Email David A. Burks, MBA at davidaburks.mpgc@gmail.com and Christian Smith, LICSW at christians.mpgc@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions.



REST Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub

REST - An Accountability Hub for Black people and people of the Diaspora centering Black joy and healing. A space to lay down our masks and armor and breathe in liberatory practices that will aid in our collective healing.This space is open to anyone that identifies themselves as Black. The space opens at 3:30PM ET and lasts until 5:00PM ET. Meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month unless notified.

Email Michelle Lawrence, she/her creator and co-anchor, Michelle.Lawrence@safehorizon.org or Levon Williams, he/him co-anchor Levon.Williams@RootedinEquity.com



WHITE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub

The Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub for White Executive Directors is a brave space for White Executive Directors to come together and grapple with what it means to be a white executive director doing ant-racist work. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 12pm EST. Gather with your peers to discuss challenges, opportunities and the state of affairs. There are occasional guest speakers as well. Email Brigid with your questions: brigid.lang@gmail.com



WHITE LEADERS Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub

The White Leaders Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub is a brave space for White folks who are looking for a community to learn about and practice Undoing Racism® in our work and personal lives. In collaboration with the multiracial First Monday gatherings, we meet as a collective to:

  • Help each other while we are at different places on our anti-racist journey.
  • Learn and do the work together.
  • Lean on other white people which takes the burden off people of color who shouldn’t always have to teach us, hold emotional space for us, or tell us what to do.
  • Allow a space for more honesty; not “performing anti-racism,” but to work through problems.
  • Our group emphasizes accountability as well as putting theory into practice.

Meetings are every second Thursday of the month from 3-4:30pm EST.

For more information, email Jenn at jenniferrosepatel@gmail.com or Hillary

at hkolos@gmail.com



WHITE MEN'S Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub

The White Men's Undoing Racism® Accountability Hub holds space where white men committed to undoing racism can support, inspire and plan together. There is an opportunity for white men to share their stories and ideas, get and give feedback on personal and professional challenges, and be in community with other white men in the antiracist movement. The group values the freedom to share vulnerably, reflection on how our race and gender have been socialized, compassionate mutual aid, and antiracist organizing. Meetings are every second Tuesday of the month from 2-3pm EST.

For more information, email Dr. Ben Kohl at benkohljr@gmail.com



Please click the link below for updated information:

 

Accountability Hubs Flip Book

 

Please reach out directly to the Hub anchors to RSVP and with any specific questions you may have. We welcome additional Hub ideas.

PAST RESOURCES

You may find resources from prior First Monday Gatherings here:



Undoing Racism® Executive Collective Workshop Past Resources


Undoing Racism® Executive Collective Leadership


First Mondays of the Month contact: mpgconsultingnyc@gmail.com


Anchor email: mlpenderg@gmail.com





Co-founders, Dr. Alan Siskind and

Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, CGP

Undoing Racism® First Monday Executive Collective Co-anchors: 


Lisa Martin, Bonnie Cushing, David A. Burks, 

Robin Schlenger, Benjamin Kohl and Mary Pender Greene

Dr. Lisa Martin


Dr. Lisa Martin (She/Her) is a licensed clinical psychologist and trauma informed DEIB consultant, trainer, and coach. Dr. Lisa’s work centers on building community, fostering healing, and solidifying the voice and impact of established and emerging BIPOC leaders and white allies.


Dr. Lisa maintains a private practice in New York and Florida and is a rostered psychologist for the National Basketball Players Association. She has been featured in several local and national publications, podcasts, and news broadcasts sharing her expertise on racial equity, stress management, and mental health. Dr. Lisa holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from St. John’s University.

Bonnie Cushing, LCSW


Bonnie Cushing, LCSW (she/her), is a family therapist and an anti-racist organizer and educator. She is a trainer with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, the Center for the Study of White American Culture, the Soul Focused Group and the Center for Racial Justice in Education. Bonnie speaks widely on the impact of racism on the practice of social work, as well as its impact on white people and the specific role white people can play in the movement for racial justice.

David A. Burks, MBA


David A. Burks, MBA (He/Him/His) is an anti-racist consultant, coach, facilitator, and speaker hailing from New Orleans, LA. Throughout his career, he’s worked with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and educational institutions to create a better world for members of marginalized and underrepresented communities. He especially loves leveraging his knowledge of pop culture to translate complex and diverse ideas to a great cross section of our society. Additionally, he serves on several nonprofit boards and is a Core Trainer with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. 


David’s work is centered on three core principles: strengths, equity, and joy. Everyone should have the opportunity to spend as much time working in their areas of STRENGTH instead of languishing in their areas of weakness. Our work should bring EQUITY, not just equality, to communities harmed by historical injustices. Finally, whenever possible, we should bring JOY to our interactions – especially when the topics of discussions are difficult.

Robin Schlenger, LCSW


Robin Schlenger, LCSW (she/her) has many years of clinical and supervisory experience working in the nonprofit and public sectors. She is a practicing Anti-Racist Consultant, Coach, Organizer and Trainer, As a consultant, Robin specializes in facilitating presentations and trainings that are rooted in restorative and anti-racist principles. Robin is a current member of The People’s Institute of Survival and Beyond’s (PISAB) North East Leadership team and a member of The European Dissent (ED) leadership team, a group of people of European descent who “dissent” from the ideology of white supremacy. She speaks extensively on white privilege from an individual and organizational perspective and what it means to partner with people of color in antiracist work. She is also a regular contributor to the digital magazine, Three-Fifths and has co-written a chapter in Dr. Kenneth Hardy’s book The Enduring, Invisible and Ubiquitous Centrality of Whiteness.

Benjamin Kohl, PhD, LCSW 


Benjamin Kohl, PhD, LCSW (He/Him) is a social work clinician, educator and administrator whose career has focused on behavioral health services for children, youth and families in urban and rural settings.  Ben is an antiracist organizer, trainer and consultant committed to the principles of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Dr. Kohl has published articles and chapters on cross-racial clinical best practice, race-based caucusing, and antiracist organizational development. Currently Ben is an executive coach for MPG Consulting and convenes a monthly accountability hub for white men. He provides leadership on several non-profit boards and maintains a small psychotherapy practice on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, CGP



Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, CGP is a career/executive coach, organizational consultant, keynote speaker, and a psychotherapist with a private practice. Mary is a thought leader recognized by her peers for her wisdom, contributions, and novel ideas on leadership, professional development, and transforming organizational culture. Through coaching and consultation, she acts as a thought partner with decision-makers to develop and enhance the leadership style of executives and senior leaders from small, mid-size, and large social service organizations in order to best serve their clients and achieve their mission, vision, and values. For over twenty years, she has guided countless leaders in the social services industry to become changemakers in their own right.


Mary is the President & CEO of MPG Consulting (MPGC), a consulting group that is committed to assisting organizations foster a welcoming and respectful work atmosphere that supports all individuals in the pursuit of their maximum potential and in achieving the utmost benefits for their clients. While MPGC specializes in supporting senior management and executive leaders, the coaches, consultants, and trainers also provide professional development to individuals at all levels of an organization. The multiracial team of 90+ consultants is composed of social workers, business experts, educators, restorative justice practitioners, attorneys, mediators, psychologists, psychiatrists, researchers, and community organizers.


Mary is the former Chief of Social Work and Assistant Executive Director at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. She is the author of Creative Mentorship and Career-Building Strategies: How to Build Your Virtual Personal Board of Directors and coeditor of Strategies for Deconstructing Racism in the Health and Human Services.

Support Team

Lynn Mercredi


Lynn Mercredi (She/Her) is the Director of Operations at MPGC, Mary Pender Greene. With 15+ years of experience as an administrator, Lynn manages MPGC’s coaches, trainers, consultants, and clients with compassion and connection. She ensures the efficient handling of client inquiries, trainings, and consultations. Lynn provides logistical support for the monthly Executive Undoing Racism Collective and is a co-anchor for the BIPOC SHIP (Support Healing Inspiration Planning) hub, a virtual accountability hub for all BIPOC. She earned her BA in English from SUNY Albany.

Kayla M. Cordero


Kayla M. Cordero (she/her/ella) is the Executive Associate at MPG Consulting, bringing a wealth of experience in administrative and office management with a focus on serving multicultural communities. She plays a key role in coordinating the monthly Executive Undoing Racism Collective and is a co-anchor for the BIPOC SHIP accountability hub. A graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a BA in Forensic Psychology, Kayla is deeply committed to community empowerment and driving meaningful change through her work.

Claire Julian


Claire Julian (she/her/hers & Afro-Caribbean) is the Learning and Branding Coordinator at MPG Consulting, working on diverse tasks, including Accountability Hub support. She is also a co-anchor of the BIPOC SHIP accountability hub. Her professional background includes extensive corporate and vendor-side Human Resources, Recruiting, and project management at global, publicly traded organizations and small entrepreneurial environments. Claire is enthusiastic about using her diverse skill set to advocate for antiracism and equity. She is also a mother, writer, yoga teacher, traveler, and music lover.