The Art of Cultivating Brave Spaces

A Workshop for Leaders, Educators, and Facilitators

In a world defined by diversity, complexity, and increasing polarization, the ability to hold space for courageous conversation is no longer a soft skill; it’s a critical leadership competency.

The brave space framework (Arao, 2024; Arao & Clemens, 2006, 2013) originated in social justice education as a powerful alternative to the often-limiting concept of "safe space." Today, it has proven instrumental for navigating any challenging or sensitive topic, from team conflict and restructuring to difficult classroom dynamics and inter-group communication.

We offer the only training led by Dr. Brian Arao and Kristi L. Clemens, the original co-creators of the Brave Space framework. Having trained over a thousand people since its inception, Brian and Kristi have evolved the philosophy into an engaging, participatory workshop designed to give you the practical knowledge and skills needed to transform your organization or classroom into a place of productive, authentic engagement.

Who Should Attend?

We offer two tailored versions of this workshop to ensure the content directly addresses your professional context and learning objectives.

  • Organizational Leaders

    Executives, managers, team leads, HR professionals, and internal training specialists

    This version is for those who need to foster trust, accountability, and psychological safety without necessarily focusing on traditional DEI objectives. You will learn to:

    * Navigate high-stakes team discussions and conflict resolution.

    * Create a cultural foundation where constructive dissent is welcomed.

    * Model the facilitation skills necessary for diverse, high-performing teams.

  • Educators and Facilitators

    K-12 educators, Higher Ed faculty, Student Affairs professionals, independent consultants, and DEI practitioners

    This version is designed for those who work directly with complex group dynamics, often involving identity, power, and difference. You will learn to:

    *Skillfully manage moments of conflict and tension in learning environments.

    *Apply the brave space framework to social justice and equity education with confidence.

    *Establish group agreements and mutual accountability to ensure deep, impactful learning.

What You’ll Achieve

Participants leave the workshop equipped with the expertise to confidently implement and scale the brave space framework. You will learn to:

  • Discern Frameworks: Understand when to use brave space and when a different approach is more appropriate for the group's specific needs.

  • Deepen Understanding: Develop a sophisticated grasp of the theory and philosophy that makes bravery, rather than comfort, essential for dialogue.

  • Strengthen Skills: Practice and refine the core facilitation techniques required to actively cultivate a brave space.

  • Apply Strategies: Generate concrete, actionable strategies for introducing, sustaining, and troubleshooting brave spaces within your specific context (e.g., a boardroom, a course syllabus, or a leadership retreat).

Workshop Formats

The workshop is available in three flexible formats to fit your organization's schedule and learning needs:

  • 3 hours of focused content with required pre-work for all attendees

    In-person or virtual

  • 6 hour extended session with enhanced practice, case studies, and application opportunities.

    In-person or virtual

  • 4 week flipped classroom approach combining asynchronous content, activities, and live interactive video meetings.

    Virtual only

Ready to Cultivate Brave Spaces?

The best way to determine which version and format will best serve your organization or institution is to speak directly with us.

Use our contact form to schedule a consultation call. Please select “The Art of Cultivating Brave Spaces” workshop option so we can best prepare for our conversation.

 

Testimonials

  • "Having known Brian for close to 20 years, I can unequivocally attest to his unwavering commitment as an advocate and ally. He is not just a proponent of inclusive and restorative frameworks; he lives and breathes them, serving as a living testament to their transformative power. Brian's work and life are a genuine embodiment of praxis, seamlessly merging theory and practice in the pursuit of meaningful change. His 'When and How to Cultivate Brave Spaces' workshop at Vassar College was a clear reflection of this ethos, offering insights that have empowered us to cultivate deeper understanding and dialogue within our community.”

    Dr. Luis Inoa | Associate Dean of the College, Student Living and Wellness | Vassar College

  • "'When and How to Cultivate Brave Spaces' was a singular experience for us at Vassar College. With warmth, craftsmanship and clarity, Brian's workshop focused on the difference between a "brave space" and a "safe space," validating both while helping us to experience the dialogical conditions of being "brave." Brian offered the workshop at the beginning of our academic year and it continues to resonate throughout the semester. This is another way of saying that we have put "When and How to Cultivate Brave Spaces" into action, which is a reflection of Brian's commitment to a pedagogy of care and transformative change."

    Dr. Jonathon Kahn | Professor & Director of Engaged Pluralism | Vassar College

  • “As an educator, facilitator, and trainer, I strive to create spaces that promote learning and growth in inclusive ways. Dr. Brian Arao's "When and How to Cultivate Brave Spaces" workshop provided so much insight on what Brave Spaces look like and how we can maintain them. During the workshop, not only did I gain a fundamental understanding of Brave Spaces, I was also able to witness Dr. Arao create a Brave Space within our group so that I could truly feel what a Brave Space is firsthand. I left the workshop with so many ideas and a lot of excitement on how I can create Brave Spaces in my spheres of influence. I highly recommend the workshop for individuals and teams!”

    Izzy Narvaez, M.A. | Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion Education and Training, Cross-Cultural Center | UC San Diego

  • "Brian's workshop, "When and How to Cultivate Brave Spaces", held at Vassar College in the Fall semester provided an extensive and organized analysis of the distinctions between safe and brave spaces. As a participant in this workshop, I gained a concrete understanding of the fundamental principles of brave spaces. As a result, the workshop instilled a renewed sense of empowerment and motivation in me at the outset of the semester."

    Selena Hughes | Program Administrator, Engaged Pluralism | Vassar College

  • "As a professor, DEIB practitioner, and facilitator of courageous conversations, I can attest to just how challenging it is to co-create brave spaces, even for those of us who are passionately committed to these practices. The stellar expertise and great generosity of mind and spirit Brian brings to his work made me look forward to every session in this class. I found his ability to hold space for complexity and provide others with the tools to facilitate with bravery, humility, and accountability both empowering and inspiring. This course provided invaluable context that has significantly enhanced the quality of my own work."

    Dr. Elisa Glick | Founder & President, Elisa Glick Consulting 

Arao, B. (2024). Brave space. In E. Segal, C. Hoff, & J. Cho (Eds.), An encyclopedia of radical helping (pp. 91–92). Thick Press.

Arao, B., & Clemens, K. L. (2013). From safe spaces to brave spaces: A new way to frame dialogue around diversity and social justice. In L. Landreman (Ed.), The art of effective facilitation: Stories and reflections from social justice educators (pp. 135–150). Stylus.

Arao, B., & Clemens, K. L. (2006). Confronting the paradox of safety in social justice education [Conference presentation]. ACPA College Student Educators International Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN, United States.