My work

is focused on…

  • facilitating understanding across groups to build solidarity and unity consciousness.

  • supporting white people and communities in better understanding their racial identity: identity development work, racial healing, increased skill as accomplices in the struggle for racial justice and liberation.

  • bridging spiritual and social justice spaces with a heart-based approach to change and transformation.

Methods & Offerings

  • Dialogue facilitation and circle-keeping: navigating controversial & identity-based dialogue

  • Public Speaking/Presentations/Podcast topics (just a sampling, other topics upon request)

    Spirituality in Times of Injustice & Division

    Navigating the Matrix

    Bridgebuilding in these Times

    Blue vs. Red: The Myths of our Division

    But Why? Understanding the Appeal of Richard Spencer’s White Nationalism.

  • Cohort-based Courses (3-12 months) Potential topics covered: anti-racism 101, microaggressions, identity development, power & privilege, race & gender, inclusive leadership, emotional intelligence and DEI, transformational vs. performative DEI, understanding systemic oppression, bridge-building

  • Racial Identity work with white people: affinity groups, 8-week course offering,

  • Instructional Design & Content Creation: coaching to improve your already-created DEI workshops and facilitation, support with building new DEI content

What is a heart-based approach?

Often in this work, we blindly rush forward with urgency, viewing the issues and the process in a very binary and detached way. We sometimes value “product” over “process”, downplaying the human and spiritual dynamics of this work. I started using the idea of a “heart-based approach” inspired by the work of feminists of Color (shout out to Audre Lorde), who argued that engaging our emotional selves was not only valuable, but absolutely vital to the work. HOW we do the work is as important as WHAT we do.

In my leadership coaching, a heart-based approach looks like: supporting equity leaders continued development of their own self-awareness- how is their - ego, triggers, unhealed stuff, sense of self - all impacting how they lead and engage with others… and how can they engage greater self-awareness, decolonization and love when leading equity initiatives at work.

In my organizational consulting, a heart-based approach looks like: cultivating a relationship with the client and the institution, entering into the partnership as a learner first and strategist second, and helping to shed light on the interpersonal, social-emotional dynamics at play amongst all stake-holders

In my trainings, it looks like: facilitating individual and group reflection, reading the room for the emotional pulse, engaging with intersectional frameworks, and creating space for true dialogue and community building across diverse identities.

Testimonials

  • “A major complexity and complaint of 'equity work' is that the terminology means many different things to different individuals and organizations. Jessica holds that complication and works closely with partners to clarify intentions and methodology. We at Transform the Collective repeatedly collaborate with Jessica Havens because: 1. her experience in implementing equity initiatives at both the interpersonal and institutional level is stellar 2. she aligns her practice as both organizational shift and heart shift 3. with over two decades of experience, she is versatile in her approach and implementation. She is firm in both compassion and expectation and this is most evidenced in her work with white women. To work with her is a healthy victory for your organization. You will be pleased.” -Stacey Gibson, Equity Strategist & Organizational Thought Leader, Transform the Collective, Chicago

  • “Mile Hi's partnership with Jessica has been a critical turning point in our organization, leading us into a new era for our church. Her trainings provided us with the foundational knowledge, tools and confidence to not only build our awareness and understanding of DEI, but also the confidence to integrate them into our work. Her expertise, skill and compassion allowed the entire staff to go through a transformative process that will have an impact in our organization for years to come and we are deeply grateful for what she brings to the work she does in the world.” - Masando Hiraoka, Social Justice Minister, Mile Hi Church, Colorado

  • “Jessica’s passion, expertise, and adaptability are incredible assets in her consulting work. She has a wealth of knowledge in equity issues, and pairs that with intentional but bold moves to take individual and systemic action in order to address these issues head-on. She is authentic and empathetic in her approach, calling people into the conversation while still encouraging them to hold themselves accountable to the role they play in ending injustice.” -Rana Razzaque, Director of Access & Opportunity, Englewood Schools, Colorado

  • "I wanted to send you a personal note of thank you. Through your guidance and leadership in WERJ(White Educators for Racial Justice) I was able to discover a whole new aspect of myself and the world that was previously unknown to me. You created a safe space for us all to do some important work together..." - Teacher & WERJ member, Francis Parker School, Chicago

Writing