Skip to main content

F-M Area SEED

SEED seminar application

SEED is a professional development opportunity consisting of structured conversations on equity and diversity. SEED creates conversational communities to drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward greater equity and justice.

SEED groups will meet monthly from September 2026 through May 2027 to discuss a variety of topics related to equity and diversity. Virtual sessions take place on Zoom or Google Meet for 2 hours, and in-person sessions last approximately 3 hours and include a nourishing meal. Please expect to spend approximately 3 hours per month reading or viewing films to prepare for each seminar.

Participants must commit to attending each session, as the sessions build on one another throughout the year. CEUs (continuing education units) are available for all participants, and graduate credits will become available for an additional cost.

Please submit this application by Wednesday, September 9.

Which social or professional groups do you belong to in the F-M metro area? Check all that apply.
Have you ever completed a year of SEED 1 or Foundations of SEED before?

Reading materials

The following books are required reading for each class.

SEED 1

  • The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
  • Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative by Ignatia Broker
  • So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • Is Gender Fluid? A Primer for the 21st Century by The Big Idea / Sally Hines

SEED 2

  • An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
  • How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
  • A Good Time for the Truth by Sun Yung Shin

What past participants say

The following comments were shared by people who attended past SEED seminars.

“SEED has helped to make me a more informed teacher, community member and parent. I am very grateful for my SEED experience.”
Kjersten Skatvold
“SEED is one of those learning exposures that encourages life-long examination and learning in many contexts. Because of SEED, I see with new lenses.”
Sarah King
“As the world becomes more diversely populated, the improved understanding between people from different backgrounds might be more peaceful and comfortable.”
Joan Bachman

Have any questions about SEED? Reach out to Kris Thompson by calling or texting 701-412-3623.