You might know us as Rise Up Rooted, an organization started by us, Drea and Ronin (“Ro”), that came out of losing our jobs at CALC due to COVID and wanting to continue hosting me and white supremacy for white-identifying folks. We were helping white folks “rise up rooted” by becoming more aware of their internalized white supremacy before showing up to social justice movements. This work has expanded and grown, hence the new name “Apokalypsis,” to reveal truths unknown.
Drea and Ro are still very much best buds, and look forward to doing collaborative projects in the future! You can fill out the contact form if you want to get in contact with Drea. 🙂
Apokalypsis is a small but growing organization rooted in deep community relationships across Lane County. Through years of trust-building, our executive director, Advisory Team, and Board of Directors maintain close ties with schools, nonprofits, faith centers, wellness providers, and community members. Our work emerges directly from conversations with the people most affected by racism, and we design offerings in response to their expressed needs.
Our organization originated when staff of color at a Lane County social justice nonprofit reached out to us. They described how, despite having a majority-BIPOC board and staff, white colleagues had been dominating decision-making and creating harm through unsolicited advice and overbearing behavior. Because these staff trusted Apokalypsis, they asked us to provide educational opportunities for white colleagues and community members. We responded by developing and facilitating programming that relieve pressure on staff of color while creating opportunities for white colleagues to engage in accountability, learning, and change. A key practice of our work is exactly this: we prioritize responding to direct needs and expanding and adapting these responsive offerings to benefit the wider community.
Our executive director (queer, trans, and nonbinary, and also white) serves as the primary facilitator and content developer, with project content being guided and approved by the paid Apokalypsis BIPOC Advisory Team. These advisors—experienced community organizers and leaders in schools, health, and social justice sectors—provide essential oversight and direction.
Our current structure
Fiscal sponsorship 501(c)(3) status!
We are currently under the non-profit wing of Grassroots Connect, an incredible 501c3 run by volunteers whose sole purpose is to fiscally sponsor little orgs like this one. Apokalypsis is currently working on becoming an independent 501c3. We got approved as our own 501(c)(3)!!! Stay tuned for a celebration community event fundraiser (I am really hoping for BINGO…)!
Advisory team
The Apokalypsis Advisory Team (AAT) is a group of BIPOC contractors with expertise in equity, social justice, and/or anti-racism. The purpose of the AAT is to advise Apokalypsis facilitators, the executive director, and the board of directors on ways to best advance our mission. All AAT advisors have an open invitation to join the Board of Directors as well, in a separate capacity.
Board of Directors
All of our directors are employed at nonprofit organizations, or have extensive experience working at nonprofit organizations. All white-identifying board of directors have completed at least one “me and white supremacy” learning course. These are unpaid positions.
“After years of experience in social justice non-profits, I have seen how DEI trainings fall short of the deep relationship building, ethics of care and cultural deprogramming tools that are needed to restore our communities from white supremacy culture. Apokalypsis’ work goes beyond typical DEI models by incorporating somatic, relational and sometimes spiritual practices to provide capacious frameworks that support cascading processes beyond the initial workshops. I joined Apokalypsis because of the community around this organization—a community that is committed to unlearning and undoing the legacies of settler colonialism and reimagining what care, accountability, reconciliation, and relatonship-based culture change look like between and among white folks and folks of color. Apokalypsis is in it for the long haul.”
– Board Chair, when asked why they donate their time to the Apokalypsis board
Executive Director – Ronin “Ro” Quirke (they/them/elle)
Ro helps those raised and shaped within the occupier culture to break free from unhealthy conditioning, to reconnect with their true selves and other beings, through courses, workshops, touch healing, and one-on-one coaching. They have a background in the fields of social psychology, social justice, and education. Helping people connect with their bodies, true selves, and with each other is Ro’s jam. They gel with the teachings of Thomas Hübl, Rev angel Kyodo williams, and Alok, and have a daily practice of connecting with Gaia/Spirit realm (an unexpected life-change that came from living in the process of self-decolonization). If you want to get to know Ro a bit more, you can check out their side gig here, and their podcast “Cracks in the Cement” by clicking here. You can connect with them directly at ronin@apok-ccrf.org
BIPOC Student Youth Grant (where 10% of all fees go)
This grant is awarded to K-12 level Native, Black, and or other students of color (BIPOC) identity-focused student youth groups or clubs (e.g., Native student group, Black Student Union, Latine cumbia dance club) in Lane, Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties, or if it’s a Native identity-focused student group or club, any groups or clubs in Oregon, regardless of county.
Grants are typically $250 each, and are offered every season (groups can be awarded two per year). You can send questions to info@apok-ccrf.org
Go here to fill out a quick and easy interest form.