This three-session seminar invites BIPOC Unitarian Universalists to deepen their capacity to stay present in conflict, take responsibility when harm occurs, practice meaningful repair, and begin strengthening the skills needed to support others through conflict within a BIPOC community.
Restorative practice asks more of us than knowing the right language. It requires developing awareness of what happens in our bodies and emotions when conflict becomes difficult; recognizing the patterns, experiences, identities, and assumptions we bring into relationships; and practicing the skills necessary to listen, acknowledge harm, take responsibility, make repair, and change behavior. Participants will also begin exploring how these practices can support facilitated conversations, conflict resolution, and healthier responses to disagreement and harm within our diverse BIPOC communities.
Schedule: Thursdays, 5:00 - 6:30 PM Pacific | 8:00 - 9:30 PM Eastern
- October 22
- November 5
- November 19
Over three interactive sessions, we will explore:
Session 1 — Staying Present in Conflict
What happens in our bodies and minds when conflict becomes intense? Learn to recognize your own patterns of activation, slow down automatic reactions, and create more room for thoughtful response.
Session 2 — Knowing Yourself in Conflict
Explore the experiences, habits and assumptions we carry into disagreement. We will practice greater self-awareness, distinguish present conflict from past hurt, and consider readiness, boundaries, accountability and choice in restorative conversations.
Session 3 — Apology 2.0: Practicing Repair
Go beyond simply saying “I'm sorry.” Through scenarios, role play and direct coaching, we will practice acknowledging impact, taking responsibility without defensiveness, communicating with greater intention, offering meaningful repair, and demonstrating changed behavior.
This is a practice-based workshop series, not a webinar. Participants should come prepared for reflection, small-group exercises, role playing, constructive feedback and opportunities to practice unfamiliar skills in a supportive BIPOC learning community.
The series is intended for people who already have some familiarity with restorative justice or restorative practice, including participants in DRUUMM's Restorative Justice 101 workshops, and who want to go deeper in applying these practices to relationships, congregations, leadership and community life.
Restorative practice can sometimes surface personal experiences of conflict or harm. Participants will always retain agency over what they choose to share; this workshop is educational and skill-building and is not group therapy or a substitute for therapeutic support.
Facilitated by Alison Aguilar Lopez Gutierrez McLeod.
Speaker Profile
Alison Aguilar Lopez Gutierrez McLeod (she/hers) is a restorative conflict facilitator and lifelong Unitarian Universalist dedicated to building more just and accountable communities. She serves as Lead Facilitator for Restorative Conflict with the Tariq Khasima Foundation, working with youth, families, and community members to develop tools for de-escalation, accountability, and healing.
Alison also serves as Co-Chair of the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee, where she has helped integrate restorative and anti-oppressive practices into ministerial formation. With a background in education, nonprofit leadership, and social justice organizing, she brings a grounded, relational approach to navigating conflict. As a transracial adoptee, she centers inclusive, story-based practices that honor lived experience and foster deeper understanding.
