Videos

On August 25, OBI Director john powell joined author and podcast host Krista Tippett for A Sacred Story for Our Time: Wisdom, Practice & Belonging, a Thrive Network event and part of its Rooting in the Sacred series. Their conversation reflected on how spirituality and belonging can help communities navigate a time of deep fragmentation, exploring how new stories, practices, and forms of reverence can bridge tradition and innovation, strengthen our connection to one another and the Earth, and expand our shared imagination for the future.

What is opportunity—and how is it shaped by race and structural inequality? Based on insights from Stephen Menendian, Head of Research at OBI, this visual explainer breaks down life pathways, equity, and systems change in a powerful new way.

To advance housing justice for all, we need solutions at scale. Scaling just solutions that match what our communities want and need is about more than building more affordable housing units. It requires building a culture and system that prioritizes...

On Monday, June 30 we hosted a virtual book talk to mark the publication of Structural Racism: The Dynamics of Opportunity and Race in America, authored by OBI Assistant Director Stephen Menendian. The event opened with some contextual framing by...

On June 2, As part of the UC Office of the President's Systemwide Academic Freedom Congress, OBI Director john powell participated in a panel that explored the dynamics between diversity, equity and inclusion-related programs and academic freedom."...

Equity-centered data is the foundation for creating a more inclusive and just society, ensuring that data collection, analysis, and decision-making processes include the needs of historically marginalized groups when setting goals for strong and inclusive communities.

On April 16, Director john a. powell joined the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism for a conversation on bridging and belonging. Drawing on themes from his recent book, powell discussed how the problem of othering has shaped the 21st century, the dangers of “breaking” narratives, and the role of journalism in telling bridging stories that foster empathy, nuance, and trust. powell highlighted how storytelling can either reinforce division or foster bridging and belonging.

On April 15, john powell and Stephen Menendian sat down with interim Dean of Social Work Susan Stone to discuss their book, Belonging Without Othering at the UC Berkeley School of Social Work. Transcript Susan Stone: As you might know, social work is...

On April 11th, Assistant Director Stephen Menendian sat on a panel at the Austin Housing Works Regional Affordable Housing conference. His presentation covered the problem of municipal fragmentation as undermining regionalism.

We hosted the second installment of our Arab Women & Feminist Visions for Equity and Belonging webinar series on Tuesday, April 8, with speakers from Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the Western Sahara sharing their experiences related to the theme of...

Watch the explainer video and enroll in the free course now! Targeted Universalism is a framework that goes beyond inclusion in existing structures that serve only some of us. Instead, it invites everyone to roll up their sleeves and co-create new structures designed to serve all of us.

OBI Director john a. powell and researchers contextualize the current moment our world is experiencing in a 90-minute virtual conversation. They look at what is driving the rise of authoritarianism across the globe, and discuss pathways forward to build a world where everyone belongs and no one is excluded.

Stephen Menendian presented at the California Racial Equity Commission's Framework Development Committee meeting on March 20, 2025. Stephen presented principles for how to develop sustainable racial equity policy and guidance. His presentations...

On March 5 we launched the first of a 3-part webinar series, titled, "Arab Women & Feminist Visions for Equity and Belonging," featuring speakers from Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, and Algeria. This first event in the series was on the theme, "Rights, Equity...