RAISING LUMINARIES SERVICES

Helping caregivers ignite the next generation of kind & courageous leaders

Together with our kids, we can fight for equality and social justice.
It's easier than you think - with the right support.

WINTER INCUBATOR

Kyriarchy-Smashing Parents

Raising Luminaries creates learning tools & brave spaces for parents raising the the next generation of kind & courageous leaders.

We are self-advocates and accomplices who admit... okay, sure - the world kinda sucks. But we feel in our bones the real possibility of creating an inclusive society where all kids could feel safe - if we create effective tools and opportunities to for good trouble.

Without taking ourselves too seriously, we co-create accessible resources, accountability training, and collaborative workshops to navigate parenting in a dystopian hellscape while centering the needs of those most impacted by oppression.

WHO WE ARE

Parents, Caregivers & Educators

If you're tired of unsustainable activism expectations, caregiver burnout, and bursting into uncontrollable screams of despair and fury every time you open the news - welcome to our interdependent community of radically progressive caregivers. Together we can share the work (and help you chill out a bit).

RAISING LUMINARIES FAMILY ACTION TOOLKITS

Books For Littles

Free virtual guides & training tools to spark kids' curiosity on tricky topics of justice & inclusion.

Subscribe for free if you...

Aren't sure when (or how) to talk about controversial topics with your kids
Tend to over-research and under-act without clear, concrete steps
Want to support targeted & marginalized advocates, authors & grassroots organizations
Need to subvert harmful stereotypes, bias, and messages your kids pick up outside (and inside) your home
Want to assess your power and take small, simple steps toward change

Join the ignition notes newsletter for weekly updates with tools, guides & workshops. Free with optional sliding scale donations. I’ll never sell or share your email, either.

If you’re feeling isolated and need other parents who understand you…

RAISING LUMINARIES PARENT SUPPORT COMMUNITY

Luminary Braintrust

Collaborative Workshops

Access to exclusive online discussion groups and training workshops to vent, brainstorm & connect.

Resource Library

Share & access our growing archive of assessments, advocacy templates, and curated kids media guides to take the stress out of local advocacy.

Collab Lab

Vote on a new topic each season with opportunities to co-create tools, training, and strategy guides navigating social justice parenting challenges.

Experiment Playground

Rainy day kids activities, self-care challenges, family movie night reviews, nonsense parent-activist horoscopes, and more! Get access to our archive of weird experiments.

I really enjoy the family movie night commentary. It makes me laugh and helps me pick what movies to watch with our family. My family has absolutely benefited from your work, and I am very grateful to you for all you do for our little luminaries. Thank you so very, very much!

Cassi M.

Parent, Early Childhood Music Educator

“I'm going to try to be a combo of active/passive. It's hard to know what my weekly rhythm is like these days, but I'm excited to be part of the badassery!”

April B.

Parent of 2, Curriculum Program Director, Trauma Informed Specialist

I get so much out of this. From seeing how you break down a movie to laughing out loud (I just snorted trying not to laugh too loud as I read The Hobbit post in bed next to my sleeping children), this is really wonderful. I absolutely use these to talk with my family, including my partner, about the movies we watch.

Rebecca B.

Parent of 2, Language Decolonizing Language Enthusiast

I love these regular updates. Been dealing with some Life recently and retreating mentally. These little nudges remind me that the Luminary Braintrust exists, and even if I'm in total overwhelm there's always something I can do in the moment that helps me feel a little more connected.

Cat L.

Parent of 1, Justice Art Educator

"The Accountabili-buddy Badass Certificates are amazing and I love them and they are delightful and hilarious and feel like the sort of thing that I want to put on social media - like “I successed! An adulting merit badge!"

Tricia L.

Parent of 5, Community Organizer, Adoptee-Rights Activist

I've started going to the Luminary Braintrust page instead of Facebook when I have the impulse to check social media, and I love that switch because I actually get out of it what I want in that moment (a sense of connection to others and maybe some new information to browse) instead of a giant sinkhole of *waves hands in the general direction of Facebook and Twitter.*

Alison L.

Parent of 1, Behavioral Scientist

If you’ve set yourself on fire to keep others warm…

RAISING LUMINARIES WORKSHOP COLLECTIVE

Winter Incubator

A 6-week virtual retreat where we give ourselves permission to rest, recharge, and regather our marbles.

Join the next Winter Incubator if you...

Keep planning 'breaks' to catch your breath, but get pulled back to action solving everybody's problems
Hit a wall of burnout in the winter months, compounded by the crushing guilt of unproductive slothitude
Feel isolated and disconnected from your local community & culture of origin
Want to support like-minded caregivers by holding space, listening & sharing your reflections
Need an excuse to avoid social media, volunteering for that committee, and other exhausting 'opportunities'

I really needed a rest - to reflect and put my work and personal life into perspective. I am glad that I trusted the process, because I feel more deliberate, even, calm.

Kerry P.

Parent of 2, DEI Community Organizer

Words that are coming to mind for describing the incubator: intimate, transformational, there’s something about the intimacy and the accountability that comes from connecting with others on this journey in weekly community-building sessions. Some of what makes it special really is that it’s a commitment you can make for 6 weeks to go deep with a group of people who care passionately about raising families to transform the world we live in. And we can’t do it alone - so this intimate community leads to transformation from thought to action.”

Rachel G.

Parent, Children's Health Research Scientist

What I got out of the Incubator was space - within that retreat, listening and paying attention. Just being okay with what the answer is. Not judging - and not feeling guilty about not being perfect.

Della M.

Parent of 3, Founder of Della Reads, Neurodiversity Advocate & Elder Care Activist

I was struggling with narrowing my work focus and balancing what interests me with what I have the capacity or ability to do. I improved most of these - actually dedicating time to self and reflecting in community has been helpful in many ways.

Bellamy S.

Parent of 2, Homeschooler, Founder of Revolutionary Humans & When We Gather

If you’re teetering on burnout after taking on too much…

RAISING LUMINARIES WORKSHOP COLLECTIVE

Summer Luminator

Make caregiver burnout a thing of the past. 6 Weeks of bite-sized lessons, virtual gatherings, and group support to focus our floodlights into laser beams

Join the next Summer Luminator if you...

Want to show your kids how racously fun & fulfilling activism and care work can really be
Take on too much, have regrets, and then get all resenty and grouchy about it
Feel overwhelmed and disoriented with your responsibilities, obligations, and great ideas you never actually do
Want to feel calm, confident, and effective at work, at home, and in your community
Need an excuse to take time for yourself this summer to get clear on an effective plan of action

The commitments I made this summer help me say ‘no’ to the billion extra demands on my time, which means I can actually be present for my kid.

Alison L.

Social Scientist, TED Speaker, Parent of 1

I was nervous that I wouldn't have time to do everything. And I didn't! But it turned out that it was fine for me to miss activities and to come to the live discussions when there were videos I hadn't watched yet, because the collective explicitly says that there's no such thing as being behind.

There isn't pressure to finish or perfect everything right now, this week, or this summer. Instead, there's the expectation that we will all circle back around with new insight in the future, so there are many chances to notice something you need to think about, plan, or do and to set that observation aside so you can pick it up again later.

Jillain W.

Parent of 2, Physics Educator

Last year was an absolutely amazing experience. I got so much out of last summer's accelerator. I’m so excited to be here again to participate in this community, renew my focus. I'm excited to free up bandwidth and reclaim time I would otherwise give away to the first person who asked - so I can spend it on objectives that matter to me.

Tricia L.

Parent of 5, Community Organizer, Music Educator

"I'm really grateful for your insight on my work because you're pretty much the smartest person I know."

Bellamy S.

Parent of 2, Homeschooler, Community Organizer

Let's get into cahoots

What does 'support' look like for you?

I'm Ashia (they or she), Head Custodian of Raising Luminaries. I organize all this stuff here and facilitate all our group connections, workshops, and trainings.

As an Autistic, multiracial, too-radical, too-infodumpy, mom-type person who cares 'too much' about ALL THE THINGS - I know how hard it is to find a brace space where you feel safe enough to experiment and make friends.

So if you're still unsure which Raising Luminaries space is right for you, or you need 1-on-1 guidance - connect with me and we can figure it out together.

RAISING LUMINARIES

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PARTNERS IN CAHOOTS

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Ashia Ray & Raising Luminaries are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We’re also also an affiliate of Little Feminist Book Club and Bookshop, and you’ll find affiliate links for them on this site, too!