About CDE’s Wind-down

1) How did CDE reach this decision?

Over a period of many months, CDE board, staff, and community members have been actively engaged in a hard, honest, love-centered process of inquiry, discussion and contemplation. This is not a decision any of us take lightly; after weighing many factors and looking at this issue from multiple angles, the board and staff voted unanimously for the wind-down of CDE. We took great care to reach this decision and continue to engage in a lengthy head, heart and hands process.

We appreciate your passion for CDE, and we know that acceptance may take some time for some folks. With that said, please trust our process and decision; there is no need to share suggestions for “saving’” CDE.

2) Will CDE continue running programs?

Our final program delivery date will be the Kinship Gathering on August 11th, 2026.

Programs offered between now and August 11th include:

Building the Foundation

• Offered by open enrollment
• Monday through Friday, July 13–17
• Timing: 9:00–13:00 Pacific Time
• Delivered via Zoom
• More information: Building the Foundation Registration

Kinship Gatherings

• Offered via Zoom through August 2026
• Register here

3) What more can you share about this decision and what it means for our collective liberation work?

The decision we’ve come to is a result of extraordinary work, collaboration, thought, and even prayer by our CDE board, staff, and community members. We acknowledge that we have had a great deal of time to work through our emotions as this decision unfolded, and even so, a great deal of emotion continues to surface. We have compassion for those of you in our community who are learning this news for the first time, and we hope these FAQs and our final offerings over the coming months will support you through a transition to a world beyond CDE.

For staff and board, at the end of the day our path forward became very clear. The wind-down of any organization working toward collective liberation is not at all an ending; when CDE dissolves, we are centered and strong in the knowledge that our incredible community – you – will continue to carry this work forward, and our movement will continue to strengthen through compassion, which we define as radical love. To learn more about how we’re thinking about this, read our recent newsletter.

4) Is there an official close date?
Program delivery will conclude by mid August, and CDE will wind down by the end of 2026.

5) How can I/my org continue this work without CDE?

You already are! As a Kinship Gathering participant recently observed, this is like a person learning to ride a bike: Initially the student needs someone to help balance them as they pedal, but at some point they realize they’ve been riding without a hand on the seat for some time. Their initial response might be trepidation, but because of their own work, competence and willingness to continue practicing, the trepidation turns to confidence.

If you’ve engaged in our programs, you’re aware of our Theory of Change, and that you are at the core of this work. Each participant headed out after training with a plan of what they were to do next. When you take a beat, refresh and ground yourself in the practices, tools, and points from your original action plans, we feel certain that next steps will come to mind.

Remember, no one does this work alone. You are part of a cohort community that is there for you.

6) Environmental Professionals Of Color (EPOC)
EPOC has always been community-driven. It will continue to evolve independently of CDE, via local groups and connection with one another. More about EPOC

7) How can I connect with the CDE community before mid-August?

• Kinship Gatherings: please join the conversation.
• In Their Own Words: Reach out to itow@cdeinspires.org to learn how you can share your thoughts and join this community conversation.