Working towards liberation

The work of the peach tree collaborative is focused on liberation. For us that means focusing leaders and organizations on the practices that challenge systems of oppression, root out white supremacy culture, and support self-determination in all individuals.

We don’t claim to know the answers but we hope to partner with you in getting closer to the right direction.

The work of liberation is long but it starts with openness, humility, and courage. If we truly care about advancing equity and justice, then we have to be okay with the fact that we’re going to get it wrong sometimes. And we have to take responsibility for that.

In my 12 years in nonprofit leadership, I’ve been called out a lot by passionate people who care about the work we do. Every time I get that scathing email or that anonymous survey response, about how our program wasn’t being equitable, wasn’t being accessible, wasn’t working towards liberation, it stings. A lot. But every time I reach out to chat about how we can solve the problem together, those haters became allies and our programs became better.

In order to work towards liberation, we have to be willing to hear the harshest criticism and in all other respects we can protect ourselves, but the work of liberation comes first and we must always protect that cause.

“If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together. - Dr. Lilla Watson