After careful consideration, Widerstand Consulting will close at the end of March 2026.
Over the past 18 months, shifting priorities and external pressures have led many organizations to step back from DEIA and anti-racism work, making it difficult for Widerstand to continue its mission. While this outcome is not what we had hoped for, we are proud of the work accomplished since our founding in 2020.
Widerstand was created to provide training to primarily White institutions and assist organizations with addressing systemic barriers within their environments. We are deeply grateful to our consultants, partners, clients, and supporters for their commitment, courage, and willingness to engage in meaningful change.
Though the organization is closing, the work continues—in communities, organizations, and everyday actions. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Widerstand resources are now In the public domain.
We know that the current environment is creating challenges, but we believe that every effort, no matter how small, is a step forward to a more equitable world.
We have added 12 anti-racism resources - including an updated resource list - to the public internet archive.
All of these resources can be used by any organization as they work to become more anti-racist.
Our Story
Widerstand Consulting began in 2000 by Dr. Tobin Miller Shearer to work with organizations across the country that were struggling with a divisive moment in our history. The organization drew upon three decades of experience to provide training and consulting to a broad range of non-profit and for-profit organizations, including those focused on social services. Since its founding, Widerstand has helped a broad range of organizations dismantle deep-seated, internal structural barriers, and create a healthier environment for all.
Widerstand's staff consist of people from disparate cultures and ethnic groups, including those from the Global Majority. Many of our consultants have worked in this field as consultants, trainers, and reviewers/auditors for more than thirty years, led hundreds of relevant training sessions, and worked with a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations.
The word “widerstand” - German for “resistance” - was chosen to honor our founder’s family history and to evoke the idea of a wider stand against racism, captured so beautifully in the logo developed by Liz Song Mandell. We also honor the anti-racist white caucus members who used the same name for our group in the late 1990s.
In August 2020, our majority BIPOC board approved the following mission statement:
To provide anti-racism training and consultation to predominantly White institutions in both online and in person formats. At least fifty percent of all net funds raised will be donated to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)-led anti-racism groups.