E-Newsletter Archive

An Archive of past issues of our bi-weekly newsletter.

Our policy on publishing blog & opinion pieces

Consistent with our mission and values, as a multi-disciplinary research center that seeks to advance a world of belonging without othering, the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) conducts research, develops narrative strategy, and supports...

I don't believe in hope. But I do believe in you

As we welcome back the return of the light and a new year, it is a time to reflect, to celebrate, to mourn, to plan and to take stock. For me, 2025 brought many wonderful gifts and also many challenges. These gifts and challenges were — and are —...

California adopts OBI opportunity map for the 9th consecutive year

BERKELEY: The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC) has adopted the opportunity map developed by the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) and its partners, California Housing Partnership and the Terner Center for Housing Innovation for...

Real Solutions

Welcome to Real Solutions, a special 8-episode podcast series from the Othering & Belonging Institute featuring people leading efforts across the country that show what bold policy solutions would move the country towards belonging and wellbeing for...

Asia-Pacific Just Transitions

This white paper documents how local and regional organizations are confronting these challenges and shaping pathways toward just transitions that are not only low-carbon but also equitable, locally grounded, and reparative. Conducted by the Global Justice Program (GJP) at the Othering & Belonging Institute, UC Berkeley...

Asia–Pacific Organizations Advance Reparative Just Transitions Across Diverse Local Contexts

BERKELEY: Across the Asia–Pacific region, communities are responding to the escalating climate crisis by reorganizing their social, economic, and environmental systems away from fossil fuel dependence and toward equitable, reparative, and...

Advancing Peace: Ending Urban Gun Violence Through the Power of Redemptive Love

On Dec. 2 we hosted Jason Corburn and DeVone Boggan to present on their new book, Advancing Peace: Ending Urban Gun Violence Through the Power of Redemptive Love. The authors talked about their research into the Advance Peace gun violence prevention...

Visualizing Belonging without Othering

This graphic illustration serves as a meaning-making tool, outlining the foundational components of building for belonging and the practices that enable it within projects and places. Illustration by Wenjia Tang. Click here to download the full-size...

Driving the “Vibe Shift”: Harnessing Narratives on Family, Care, and Gender

In a 2024 podcast interview with Joe Rogan, Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that corporate culture in America is neutered, taking the grandstand view that the workplace needs more “masculine energy.” At the time, in some circles, Zuckerberg’s comments were the source of both outrage and mockery...

Lessons and Lingerings

I find myself back at the library to begin to express the deep learnings conveyed to me through that late literary giant Dr. Gloria Jean Watkins, better known by her pen name, bell hooks. I had a unique and cherished opportunity to spend time with the published and unpublished works of bell hooks at the Special Archives Library at Berea College. It seems only right that now...

'Never Again'

Editor's note: The ideas expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of the Othering & Belonging Institute or UC Berkeley, but belong to the author. All photos by Samir Gambhir. During my recent visit to Germany, the Memorial to the Murdered...

The Communications Network Annual Conference

Two TED-style talks that will explore perceptions, misconceptions, and how we build shared moments in today’s seemingly divisive times. You’ll hear from Stephen Hawkins, More in Common and Ashlin Malouf, Othering & Belonging Institute.

Video: What I Saw in Gaza

On October 30, 2025 OBI's Health Disparities Cluster in partnership with the Medical Anthropology Program and The Berkeley Center for Social Medicine hosted Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon based in California's Central Valley, to present a talk...

What We Do

This is the third piece in a series from director john a. powell on the ongoing assaults on our democracy and communities, and how we may think about, respond to, and confront them. You can also watch our livestream conversation with john about this...

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E-Newsletter Archive

An Archive of past issues of our bi-weekly newsletter.
Jan
18

Spotlight Sundays: Community Conversations in Radical Public Imagining

General Tickets OMCA Member Tickets OBI and the Belonging Resident Company are excited to continue our Community Conversations series in partnership with OMCA’s Spotlight Sundays. This annual series creates a space to foster public dialogue, deepen understanding, and cultivate connection...

Our policy on publishing blog & opinion pieces

Consistent with our mission and values, as a multi-disciplinary research center that seeks to advance a world of belonging without othering, the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) conducts research, develops narrative strategy, and supports...