OMO Evening Sessions
OMO does not have any evening sessions scheduled at this time. See past session info below.
From Community Forums to Study Groups, Evening Sessions are just right for adults and teens who want to learn and grow together through dialogue and discussion of reference materials.
From Community Forums to Study Groups, Evening Sessions are just right for adults and teens who want to learn and grow together through dialogue and discussion of reference materials.
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Want to learn more about how to advocate and what's needed? Check out Oakland Mills United's OM Advocacy page. Thanks to everyone who joined the conversation Tuesday!
Join the OM community at the OMHS Homecoming Saturday, October 14. The Homecoming Community Festival is from 9:00am-11:00am rain or shine. Alumni will have an info table that explains more plus tours will be given. |
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Now is the Time
Virtual Community Forum on Education Thursday, January 20, 2022, 7:00pm Join a conversation with HCEA, NAACP, and more organizations to learn about ways we can uplift our students, strengthen our schools, and stand on the side of justice. We will be talking recent events in our schools, including attacks on curriculum and educators. These education focused forums will happen the third Thursday of the month. Visit the Education Forum page for notes from each session |
We use Eventbrite to help you set reminders for upcoming can't-miss sessions.
Visit our OMO Eventbrite page to view all upcoming sessions
Visit our OMO Eventbrite page to view all upcoming sessions
Looking for Book Groups?
Find Recommended Reads, past selections, and upcoming events on our Book Groups page
Past Evening Sessions
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Using Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents as a starting point, OMO will explore the topics of the hidden and not-so-hidden hierarchies which define our society. We will discuss the chapters from the book and dive deeper into each section with related articles, documentaries, and podcasts (assigned prior to the next session).
This group, led by Rick McCray and Jessica Mahajan, will be run similarly to The 1619 Project study group, with many overlapping themes advancing the discussion. Register through Eventbrite to get reminders. Visit our Caste Study Group page for more information. |
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During the first forum on the Columbia Association, we learned about Columbia’s and CA’s history and about Columbia’s governance. In this follow-up session, we will provide a brief recap of Part 1, then use small group discussion to talk as neighbors about what aspects of Columbia and CA spaces and places mean the most to us and to learn how we find community within CA's portfolio of spaces. CA decision-makers, village boards, and candidates will be invited to participate in the conversation.
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Join us to talk about Women's Memoirs on Thursday, March 18 at 7pm
We'll be talking about Becoming, We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders, When They Call You A Terrorist, and If Women Rose Rooted. Bring along any women's memoirs that you'd like to recommend! |
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Restorative Justice is a practice of addressing harm in a way that can empower individuals, heal communities, and ensure true justice occurs.
Special Guests for Restorative Justice: Dr. Ivy Hylton - Co-Founder MAAT Institute for Restorative Justice Dr. Saleem Hylton - Co-Founder MAAT Institute for Restorative Justice Roman Harferd - Civil Rights Attorney & RJ Coordinator |
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Columbia was designed by Jim Rouse to be a place without racial, religious and class segregation. Columbia Association acts as its governing body. During this forum, Ian Kennedy, Oakland Mills resident and community advocate, will guide us as we talk about the past, present, and future of the Columbia Association (CA), what we want and need from the CA, and how we advocate and work for any changes.
For reference prior to the forum: Columbia Association's Proposed Budget |
Visit our Redistricting Forum page to see the responses from HCPSS and notes from the session.
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During our Community Forum on Redistricting, many attendees voiced concerns about the process for the upcoming HCPSS High School #13. Join us to learn how the school system will be handling community input on boundaries for the new high school, and what to expect for future Capital Improvement Processes.
This session was attended by three Board of Education members--Chairman Chao Wu, Jolene Mosley, and Antonia Watts--and by James LeMon (HCPSS Executive Dir. Community, Parent, and School Outreach). |
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On Thursday, October 8, join us to learn from special guests about Mass Incarceration. Listen to their stories and learn about possible reforms to our current criminal justice system. Watch the recording |
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Educator Rebecca Beall guides adult caregivers and parents through Mindfulness Practices for children and explains how these habits can help child and adult. View the presentation on our Mindfulness with Rebecca Beall page |
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Oakland Mills is Awesome! Join us to talk with local leaders and organizations who are #OMProud about how (mis)perceptions of our neighborhoods impact our community. Brainstorm future actions, discuss ways to empower our schools and students, and join with others to keep OM Stronger Together. |
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Experienced cook and host Paula Seabright shares her tips and tricks for holiday cooking, from cutting pomegranate to preparing your favorite big dishes in smaller quantities. |
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The New York Times' 1619 by Nikole Hannah-Jones examines the long shadow of American slavery. The project can be found in print, digital, and podcast form.
Rick McCray will be hosting OMO's 1619 study group, every other Thursday until December. Visit our The 1619 Project page for more information and links to project resources. Register through Eventbrite. |
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Learn about where we are with LGBTQ+ Representation in HCPSS and where students and staff hope we will go. Hear from leaders and community members from CARY (Community Allies of Rainbow Youth) to GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) participants.
This will be a great conversation to learn more about gender-neutral bathrooms, cross-curricular inclusion, book clubs, and staff training in HCPSS. |
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How can we support Maryland schools and advocate for proper school funding?
Join this conversation to learn more about the Kirwan Commission and about how proposed legislation could allow some of the most beneficial parts of the Commission's findings to be approved. View the session: Maryland Legislation |
Did you miss our Earth Day Forum? Check out the info and below.
Happy Earth Day! Earth Lovers UNITE! hosted by Amy Brooks
Details: We were joined by local environmental organizations and education groups including our partner Community Ecology Institute, Yards Alive!, and the Green Scorpions, a student environmental club, for this idea-sharing session. We talked over local initiatives led by the Green Scorpions including asking CA for more pet waste stations and requesting composting at the schools. We also discussed foraging, the benefits of native gardens in yards and schools, and the resources we have in the county to help us all learn more about protecting our environment and growing our own food. More information about community initiatives can be found on the websites below:
Community Ecology Institute - CEI educates people of all ages on sustainable farming practices, ecological well being, and connections with nature
Freetown Farm - The last family farm in Columbia has been preserved and acts as an education center as well as a working farm that donates food all over the county; visit for a tour or volunteer your time
Harvest Unite - Learn more about growing food at home, from aquaculture to potted plants to garden plots, and how you can grow to support your family and your neighbors
Yards Alive! OM - Learn more about how to make your yard more pollinator-friendly and ways you can grow food at home
Weed Warrior Program - This CA sponsored training helps community members identify invasive non-native species and organize clean up events to remove these harmful species from CA open spaces
Happy Earth Day! Earth Lovers UNITE! hosted by Amy Brooks
Details: We were joined by local environmental organizations and education groups including our partner Community Ecology Institute, Yards Alive!, and the Green Scorpions, a student environmental club, for this idea-sharing session. We talked over local initiatives led by the Green Scorpions including asking CA for more pet waste stations and requesting composting at the schools. We also discussed foraging, the benefits of native gardens in yards and schools, and the resources we have in the county to help us all learn more about protecting our environment and growing our own food. More information about community initiatives can be found on the websites below:
Community Ecology Institute - CEI educates people of all ages on sustainable farming practices, ecological well being, and connections with nature
Freetown Farm - The last family farm in Columbia has been preserved and acts as an education center as well as a working farm that donates food all over the county; visit for a tour or volunteer your time
Harvest Unite - Learn more about growing food at home, from aquaculture to potted plants to garden plots, and how you can grow to support your family and your neighbors
Yards Alive! OM - Learn more about how to make your yard more pollinator-friendly and ways you can grow food at home
Weed Warrior Program - This CA sponsored training helps community members identify invasive non-native species and organize clean up events to remove these harmful species from CA open spaces
Community Forum: Local Business Shout Out!
Key takeaways (pun intended):
Cured/18th&21st offers to-go service 7 days a week, with sit-down service at Cured 7 days a week and at 18th&21st Thurs-Sun. They have special gift boxes including The 12 Whiskeys of Christmas as well as special menus throughout the winter. Please call to place pick up orders and use OpenTable to reserve seats. They are happy to accommodate special orders, just give them a call!
The Pottery Stop offers Pottery To Go: order online, pick up kit with paint, paint, return for firing. They have all sorts of fun projects to do alone or as a virtual party. They work with local PTA for fundraisers.
Bonheur Patisserie and Deli makes every treat fresh daily in-house. From sandwiches to cakes, with plenty of pastries in between and even some speciality dinners, they can brighten your winter days. For each meal purchased, they donate to Columbia Community Care and do lots of fundraisers for local PTAs.
Roll Up N Dye's Erin Cassell loves to teach, but until she can get back to full-time tie dye lessons, she's sharing her artistry through at-home tie dye mask making kits and Kindness Kits. Keep an eye out for her fundraisers to support the tie dye kits she's doing for children in the hospital.
The Face Place is known in the county for their wonderful massages and facials (and for their involvement in fundraisers for local school groups). Check out their special $150 spa day deal with the code PROMO2020 or use code OMO2020 to receive 10% off any service.
Pizzaman offers a variety of comfort food to get you through the cold days. Look out for their special PTA Restaurant Nights.
Aim Maryland specializes in the treatment of chronic pain, infertility, and difficult to treat conditions. Located near the OM Walgreens, Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland loves to call Oakland Mills hOMe.
Other Local Businesses that Received Appreciation:
Chutney
Cinco de Mayo
Doodlehatch
Dunkin in OM
Laundry Force Laundromat in OM
Lucky's China Inn
Royal Taj
Tino's Italian Bistro
Vennari's Pizza
Key takeaways (pun intended):
- Shop Local (these are your neighbors and they want to be part of your lives and to donate to local organizations)
- Call the restaurant instead of using a third-party app (apps like GrubHub take around 15% of the total)
- Local businesses want to help: got a special request, a concern about covid-safety, or need catering? Give them a call to talk it over! If they can't meet your needs, they will probably know someone else local who can.
Cured/18th&21st offers to-go service 7 days a week, with sit-down service at Cured 7 days a week and at 18th&21st Thurs-Sun. They have special gift boxes including The 12 Whiskeys of Christmas as well as special menus throughout the winter. Please call to place pick up orders and use OpenTable to reserve seats. They are happy to accommodate special orders, just give them a call!
The Pottery Stop offers Pottery To Go: order online, pick up kit with paint, paint, return for firing. They have all sorts of fun projects to do alone or as a virtual party. They work with local PTA for fundraisers.
Bonheur Patisserie and Deli makes every treat fresh daily in-house. From sandwiches to cakes, with plenty of pastries in between and even some speciality dinners, they can brighten your winter days. For each meal purchased, they donate to Columbia Community Care and do lots of fundraisers for local PTAs.
Roll Up N Dye's Erin Cassell loves to teach, but until she can get back to full-time tie dye lessons, she's sharing her artistry through at-home tie dye mask making kits and Kindness Kits. Keep an eye out for her fundraisers to support the tie dye kits she's doing for children in the hospital.
The Face Place is known in the county for their wonderful massages and facials (and for their involvement in fundraisers for local school groups). Check out their special $150 spa day deal with the code PROMO2020 or use code OMO2020 to receive 10% off any service.
Pizzaman offers a variety of comfort food to get you through the cold days. Look out for their special PTA Restaurant Nights.
Aim Maryland specializes in the treatment of chronic pain, infertility, and difficult to treat conditions. Located near the OM Walgreens, Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland loves to call Oakland Mills hOMe.
Other Local Businesses that Received Appreciation:
Chutney
Cinco de Mayo
Doodlehatch
Dunkin in OM
Laundry Force Laundromat in OM
Lucky's China Inn
Royal Taj
Tino's Italian Bistro
Vennari's Pizza