Who We Are

 Antiracism Study Dialogue Circles (ASDIC) Metamorphosis is an esteemed antiracism workshop provider, originally based in Saint Paul and now operating from Montevideo, MN, across Minnesota and nationally. ASDIC has worked across different sectors, customizing its work to the particular focus and formats needed by organizations. ASDIC’s programs are noted for their depth of analysis, opportunity for dialogue and reflection, building of relationship and community, and lasting transformative change. ASDIC was founded in 2004 by Okogyeamon, a former monk, teacher, and now ordained UCC minister, and Margery Otto, an attorney.

Since our inception, we have operated with the support of Cherokee Park United Church. In early 2017 we became a free-standing nonprofit, but Cherokee Park continues to provide the space for many of our community workshops.

What We Do

Antiracism Study Dialogue Circles provide antiracism dialogue experiences that build awareness, knowledge, communication across structures of domination, motivation and commitment. All workshops conclude with individual and collective planning for racial justice, with participants transferring the knowledge learned into the contexts of their own lives. ASDIC assists host organizations in developing concrete implementation plans, empowering participants with the motivation and skills to create a new, racially just society.

ASDIC offers a wide range of services to businesses and organizations seeking to improve their capacity and competence in interacting with communities and individuals of color, seeking to reduce institutional racial disparities, and wishing to more fully embody their moral concern for racial justice and for justice and equity in structures, policies, decisions and practices. This work requires addressing underlying assumptions, perspectives, and practices arising out of the of U.S. racial legacy.

ASDIC Metamorphosis helps you and others explore your own formation as “raced” persons within the system of U.S. racism. Our aim is to transform your understanding of racism and white privilege and inspire you to help create a more racially just world.

We promote a non-judging environment and use a carefully designed curriculum that builds relationships of mutual understanding and empathy. We offer dialogue circles, workshops, a cultural self-assessment, and customized experiences to:

• Educate you about racism and white privilege.

• Build community, relationships, and empathy between people of differing backgrounds through dialogue and storytelling about race and racism.

• Transform you, helping you develop the skills and confidence to talk about racism, directly address racism in your communities and place of work, and create your own individual action plan.

ASDIC has received several awards, including the Facing Race Ambassador Award from The Saint Paul Foundation (2010) and the Touchstone Award for Inclusiveness from the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation (2010), and a Designation as Sage at Summit of Sages from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing (2012). Okogyeamon and Otto also helped create the annual Overcoming Racism Conference, now held at Metropolitan State University.

See our FAQ and client list and additional testimonials.