Some people are at the beginning of this social justice journey, while others have been doing the work for 20 years. There's an intergenerational connection happening - we're all in this together, forming deep understandings of each other and the work that we’re trying to do and the world that we’re trying to build. Because all that is centered, it feels like we're moving towards something bigger collectively. I leave every weekend feeling energized and ready to fix problems.

VAPLP is a space for recognized leaders across Virginia who share a vision for liberation to come together. I appreciate [VAPLP’s} definition of leadership, as it is not strict. It’s a place where people who have that shared vision of liberation come together for an extended period of training, for an extended period of inquiry and dreaming. It really feels like the work you're doing is the work of liberation. What we’re doing here is asking “What is possible?”. We’re getting people together who have a shared vision for liberation, and we’re dreaming about building a better world.

VAPLP has allowed me to be able to learn how to tell my story better and even more to the extent to touch individuals, to bring on change. [I’ve been] able to learn different cultures of individuals, people that I've been able to be a part of with this cohort. It makes me step outside of my box.