Sign Up for the latest offerings for BIPOC youth, young adults, and BIPOC religious professionals of all ages.
Thrive is the Lifespan Faith Engagement Office’s programming and resources for BIPOC youth and emerging adults (YEA) in Unitarian Universalism. Thrive includes online and in person identity and leadership development opportunities for BIPOC YEAs, resources for the adults who serve them, and relationship building across generations. This work seeks to be responsive to the needs and leadership of young UUs of color, supported and resourced by UUA staff.
At present, Thrive programming includes:
- A monthly Thrive Newsletter
- Efforts to gather contact information from BIPOC YEAs across UUism
- Workshops and programming for BIPOC YEAs at General Assembly
- “Thrive Connections” programs for intergenerational mentorship and community building, in development
- UUA staff Nico Van Ostrand available for consultations with congregational leaders
- …and more coming soon!
Resources for BIPOC Ages 14-24
Hello! My name is Nico, and I am the UUA staff person who currently holds the BIPOC youth and emerging adults (YEA) portfolio. I am responsible for creating resources and programs with and for BIPOC UUs ages 14-24 like you. I am here for you as a resource and thought partner. I would love to hear about the exciting things going on in your UU community, workshop ideas for programming that you have, connect you with other UUA staff or resources, and get to know you.
Please reach out anytime at yayaofcolor@uua.org. I look forward to being in conversation!
Along with the Thrive newsletter (above) we offer:
For BIPOC UUs
This guide is mainly for BIPOC people who are new to Unitarian Universalism, but also for those who want to become more connected with other BIPOC UUs.
Diverse & Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries
DRUUMM is our oldest and largest People of Color collective. They are a front door for new people and a spiritual home that enriches our liberal religious tradition.
Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism
BLUU is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; providing support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists
Resources for Adult Leaders Supporting BIPOC YEAs
Hello! My name is Nico, and I am the UUA staff person who currently holds the BIPOC youth and emerging adults (YEA) portfolio. I am responsible for creating resources and programs with and for BIPOC UUs ages 14-24, and supporting or training adult leaders in congregations in utilizing those resources. I am available for consultation and conversation about your work to center BIPOC YEAs in programming in your UU community. I would love to get to know you, troubleshoot, workshop ideas, and/or connect you with other UUA staff or resources. Please reach out anytime atyayaofcolor@uua.org. I look forward to being in conversation!
The Mosaic
The Mosaic is an online hub of connection, resources, and support for dismantling racism & oppression… and fostering belonging & liberation in Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities.
Do It for Everyone: Minister to Minister to BIPOC Youth & Young AdultsMinister to BIPOC Youth & Young Adults
This webinar, hosted by the UU Ministers Association, offers 30 minutes of framing and rethinking about the crucial, spirit-filled work of ministering to BIPOC youth and young adults.
Deeper Joy: Games, Songs, Activities and Practices for Community-Builders!Games, Songs, Activities and Practices for Community-Builders!
Deeper Joy is a compilation of games, songs, activities and practices designed for community builders, activists, educators, and anyone interested in fostering inclusive, multigenerational communities.
Faith Development as an Agent of Culture Change
This Threshold Conversation explores the transformative power of faith development, not just for ourselves, but for our communities & wider culture.
Additional Resources for Professional Development
Facilitation for Transformation training. Learn more about how to access and utilize this training on the Mosaic Curriculum page.
Widening the Welcome: Greeter Training provides a Whole Church RE perspective on welcoming BIPOC youth and young adults.
The Journey to Jubilee: Stories of Anti-Racism Efforts at the UUA for a thorough introduction to some history of BIPOC UU ministry.
Read about BIPOC UU theology. Start with this curated list.
- Sparks Program professional development opportunities, including several related to BIPOC youth, identity development, and culture change.
History of Thrive Programming for BIPOC Youth &
Young Adults
Thrive is the newest iteration of the many ways that UU youth and young adults of color have gathered to nurture leadership and sustain spirits. In the past, through DRUUMM Youth and Young Adult (YaYA) gatherings, Leadership Development Conferences, and Multicultural Leadership School, UU youth and young adults of color have gathered to form lifelong connections, carve out belonging, create practices of resilience and healing and build skills to lead.
In 2024, the Thrive with DRUUMM YaYA Convening took place in St. Paul, Minnesota. A group of BIPOC youth, emerging adults, and religious professionals gathered to imagine the future of BIPOC YEA ministry. From this convening came several recommendations for DRUUMM and the UUA. The current Thrive program is taking shape closely following those recommendations which you can see in the materials above.
Past Reports and Recommendations
Visit the reports pages below to learn more about recommendations to the UUA for our BIPOC YEA ministry work.
Thrive with DRUUMM YaYA Convening Report2024 recommendations for UU BIPOC youth and young adult ministry
A report on the 2024 Thrive with DRUUMM YaYA Convening to hear from the community about BIPOC UU youth and young adult ministry, including planning process and dreams for the future.
BIPOC Youth and Young Adult Ministry ReportsA Historical Overview
A historical review of reports for BIPOC youth and young adult ministry offers guidance for this work in Unitarian Universalism’s future.