The Grove

Get the guidance, tools, and peer support to navigate extractive systems and build anti-oppressive ways of working and living.

Starting in January 2027.

Enrollment opening November 2026.

The state of the world feels quite heavy.

As social scientists describe it, we're in a "polycrisis" — and things seem to be getting worse.

Fascist governments and oligarchs are operating hand in hand to erase human rights, deepen autocracy, and widen misinformation and surveillance.

AI seems to be wiping out art, creativity, critical thinking, and countless jobs. The climate crisis is getting worse and social inequities keep growing.

Community is dwindling in the face of unfettered consumption, technological isolation, and social polarization.

Even just existing feels exhausting.

Change in these unjust, extractive systems can seem impossible, leaving you feeling isolated and overwhelmed.

I get it. I've been there. Burnout and toxicity in the workplace. Financial insecurity. Chronic health issues. Marginalization. Why fight back at a system that's engulfed you and spat you back out?

I've posted about my run-ins with oppressive systems over the years (1, 2, 3).

A person in a beige coat stands among tall trees, touching one gently. They are surrounded by a grove of trees.

"The only way to prove to yourself that you have power is to use it."

— Octavia Butler

Unleash your power in The Grove.

The Grove is our virtual communal program for liberatory and anti-oppressive practice. Imagine it as a quiet tree-lined place for solace, reflection, and experimentation.

Here, you will:

Unlearn norms, beliefs, and practices inherited from oppressive systems

Prepare to navigate power more strategically

Experiment with anti-oppressive and liberatory practices in your work, business, and life

You won't be alone — you'll be surrounded by a human guide, your peers, and wisdom from our human and non-human ancestors and elders.

A woven bag with a long strap, decorated with black patterns, filled with squares featuring various designs and a circular compass

The heart of The Grove: design changemaking

You'll wander through critical reflection, somatic sensing, radical imagination, deep values realignment, and practical application with the help of design changemaking.

This is a methodology that helps root us in shared values of collective liberation.

Discover design changemaking

Two ways to join

Choose the path that aligns with your needs and background — community will be by your side in either path.

Design Changemaking Studio

A live cohort experience for changemakers who seek hands-on guidance, peer support, and a sandbox for experimentation.

Timing: Next cohort runs January to May 2027.

Virtual experience with immersive lessons, reflective & somatic exercises, and games

Design Changemaking Library with curated tools and resources

Community discussion forums and bi-annual community gatherings

8 biweekly group work sessions on real-world challenges, practical application & imagination

Design Changemaking Foundations

A self-paced journey for changemakers of all backgrounds who wish to grow, develop, and experiment on their own in our virtual platform.

Timing: Join anytime as of January 2027.

Virtual experience with immersive lessons, reflective & somatic exercises, and games

Design Changemaking Library with curated tools and resources

Community discussion forums and bi-annual community gatherings

Join the waitlist

The Grove officially opens for enrollment on November 2nd — all program details will be published then. Sign up to get an email alert via the waitlist below!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

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Testimonials

What people say

From folks who've been in The Grove (and earlier editions of it)

"This program is the first of its kind, and it's really well done. Even for someone like me who's been working in product equity for a few years and in the field for over two decades, I got a lot out of it. I especially like the Reflexive Compass tool. I like frameworks that strike the balance of being practical yet flexible enough to help me problem-solve my own way through obstacles."

— Liya, United States

Former design executive, bestselling author, Tech advisor, and breathwork facilitator

"My awareness and sensitivity to inclusiveness in all of its forms has been heightened significantly since going through the materials and live workshops. I feel far more educated and empowered about the many forms oppressive practices take and how to chip away at those obstacles to create a more inclusive, equitable world through both my creative work and in my personal life."

— Andrew, United States

Designer & Illustrator

"The community and the lovely people in the call...[have] been the most rewarding thing to come out of the program. I am rarely in a room where decolonization and design are understood in this way. In Germany, circles that are leaning more into these directions are often dominated by a lens that unconsciously centers whiteness and the default of western hegemonies. We still have a lot of work to do here. That’s why I am happy that I found my peers in this program."

— Christoph, Germany

DEI Consultant and Inclusive Designer

"This program...is foundational to the work of designing for social change. It not only helped me understand language and concepts but also...with understanding myself better — so that I felt confident leaning into the work...I would highly recommend everyone take it!"

— Vanessa, United States

UX Researcher

Centering ancestral and communal wisdom.

The Grove would not be possible without the wisdom of many generations of human and non-human elders: from Indigenous and marginalized communities throughout history to authors, activists, practitioners, and community builders from across movements, the Global North & the Global South, and disciplines.

We deeply honor them throughout our program.

Timnit Gebru smiling to the camera with wildgrass and flowers behind her

Octavia Butler with a neutral facial expression

Lesley-Ann Noel with a neutral expression.

adrienne maree brown with eyes closed blowing a kiss to the camera

Karen Hao with a neutral expression next to a cover of her book, Empire of AI

Vanessa Oliveira de Machado with smiling next to a cover of her book, Hospicing Modernity

Paulo Freire in a cozy room with a neutral expression and arms crossed

Sandra Camacho smiling with a tea cup in her hand

Your design changemaking guide

Hi, I’m Sandra Camacho (She/Her), a.k.a. Sandra By Design. I'm thrilled to be your changemaking guide!

The Grove is filled with learnings from my 16-year career as an anti-oppressive design strategist, educator, and community-builder across sectors and continents, having guided thousands worldwide to design for change.

It also brings my lived expertise in navigating oppressive systems as a mestiza woman of color, long covid sufferer, and solopreneur/activist with unpredictable income.

About Me