Vision Lab was the centerpiece of The Praxis Project's Roots & Remedies 2 national gathering in San Antonio, Texas during the summer of 2013. Over two days, Vision Lab brought together the approximately 200 participants and challenged them to imagine a future based on winning the social justice battles of today.
Over the sessions, participants came together around topics ranging from land/territory, democracy, education, spirituality, food, health, work, etc, and explored what a shared vision could look and feel like, and its implications for our present work. Participants left with new ideas, inspiration and connections to activists doing similar work in other parts of the country.
As Makani Themba, Executive Director of The Praxis Project, explained, "“From the Dreamers to the Dream Defenders, to the striking food and retail workers, people are standing up for justice all over the country, and, in fact all across the world. Roots & Remedies is the space where we bust out of the traditional silos, and create the space for organizers to strategize on their own terms.”
Many thanks to the Praxis Project and their CCHE Initiative (Communities Creating Healthy Environments) and to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Thanks also to our video team from Roots Media.
The following year, we designed a follow up to the Vision Lab called Prototype Lab for the Roots & Remedies conference in Detroit, MI. In it, activists got to explore design tools for prototyping the futures they wanted. Here’s a video, also made by Roots Media:
If you would like to host a Vision Lab at your next event, please contact us.
If you'd like more information on Roots & Remedies and a chance to see a video about the whole Roots & Remedies conference, click here.
