Gathering Ground logo
Donate
Elevating Equity sub-logo with art elements

Way Out of No Way: Systemic Racism and Resilience

Gathering Ground was honored to welcome Dr. Tricia Rose to lead the the powerful four-part workshop series, “Way ​O​ut of No Way​: Systemic Racism and Resilience, which explored how systemic racism has and continues to shape the lives, choices, and opportunities of Black people in America. Through topical presentations, dynamic discussions, hands-on activities, and creative reflection, acclaimed scholar Tricia Rose helped us use systems thinking to uncover the drivers of disproportionate harm — and how to identify leverage points that can spark meaningful change.

Dr. Rose also expertly used the workshops to highlight the enduring legacy of African American imagination, resilience, and collective vision — learning from the many ways Black communities have always made “a way ​o​ut of no way.

About Dr. Tricia Rose

Tricia Rose is widely known for her trailblazing insights and ability to deepen our understanding of complex, difficult social issues. Her candor and lively, engaging approach invite a broad range of people into the necessary conversations that open doors to new ways of seeing and understanding the world around us.

Over three decades, Tricia has inspired public audiences and generations of students at New York University, the University of California Santa Cruz and Brown University, where she now serves as Chancellor’s Professor of Africana Studies and Director of the Systemic Racism and Resilience Project at the John Nicholas Brown Center for Advanced Study.

Tricia earned her Ph.D. from Brown University and her B.A. from Yale University.

More About Dr. Tricia Rose

Tricia’s pioneering body of work includes the groundbreaking study of hip hop (Black Noise, 1994), a moving oral history of Black women’s sexual lives (Longing to Tell, 2003), a critical assessment of hip hop’s evolution (The Hip Hop Wars, 2008), a first-of-its-kind systems analysis of racism (Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives–And How We Break Free, 2024) and the uniquely immersive experience on systemic racism and resilience, Way Outta No Way (2025). 

Stay connected with Tricia by signing up for her newsletter. 

Read what participants have said about past Elevating Equity Programs!

“Thank you so much for this incredible series. Gathering Ground stays on the forefront of offering learning opportunities that push us forward rather than rehashing the same conversations. I really appreciate the opportunity to be in that space where we can hold such complexity. You are awesome!”
Erica Nagel (NJ Theatre Alliance)
"Today's session was full yet fun. Especially with the music at the end! I deeply appreciate Dr. Rose's knowledge, wisdom, and insights around Black Culture and the systemic racism that exists (was created) to keep People of the Global Majority, especially Black People, in a perpetual state of poverty. I'm looking forward to attending the next sessions."
October 2025 Way Out of No Way Attendee
"I love Tricia Rose and the sessions GG is hosting. In some ways, it’s stuff I "know already." But… it doesn’t feel repetitive in that it is deepening my understanding, and contextualizing so many fragmented pieces of information I’m carrying."
October 2025 Way Out of No Way Attendee
"This series has been so educational and fulfilling. Dr. Rose is an exceptional teacher. She has this warm and inviting way of making serious, complex societal issues and racist, structural harms understandable and relatable. Moreover, she helps us to see the ways in which we might disrupt or disassemble this harmful system that we are all trapped inside."
December 2025 Way Out of No Way Attendee

Leadership funding for this program is made possible by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

We Are a Community of Practice

Want to learn even MORE about Elevating Equity?

Unlock content and get on the list for updates!