What our participants say...
ADULT LESSONS
“The Practice Space (TPS) is a women-led nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, that provides communication strategies, concrete techniques and coaching to individuals of all ages.
I am a “early career” professional whose job requires almost monthly public speaking engagements. To be honest, I have never been a strong public speaker and shied away from it as a child. Recognizing the need to meet the expectations of my new role, I began searching for professional development opportunities. My employer recommended TPS. Initially, I was skeptical and embarrassed to sign up for 1:1 coaching, since most TPS’s portfolio focuses on enhancing the public speaking skills children and teenagers. However, I soon realized that I couldn’t have chosen a better or safer organization to support me in this area.
Since my first session, my coach, Maribel Lopez, facilitated a culture of safety and empowerment. She took time to understand my cultural context and the dynamics that shaped and impacted my willingness to engage in public speaking. As a young black woman in predominately non-black spaces, I’ve often felt silenced, leading little opportunity to develop or sharpen my public speaking skills. Maribel intently listened and carefully created a culturally responsive “curriculum” for me. The resources, tools, and guidance provided were not one-size-fits-all, but instead tailored for me.
Under Maribel’s expertise, I’ve grown significantly. Now, I will not say that I don’t stumble over my words or get anxious before speaking to a crowd (because that would be a lie!), but I have tools and resources that feel comfortable to reference and use in my current role and beyond.
Lastly, TPS offers a sliding scale payment program, allowing individuals to dictate to pay what they can afford. This sliding scale system opens up professional public speaking coaching — historically an inaccessible and elite service — to those who need it most: our society’s youngest learners, as well as historically silenced voices!”
“I love AnnMarie and the Practice Space! I have done one-on-one public speaking and interview prep coaching there, and my son has participated in their debate camp for high schoolers. Such a fantastic experience for me and my son felt the same way. Their staff are super knowledgeable, kind, and fun, and really impart a passion for speech and debate. The Practice Space is such a special place!!”
Corporate & Nonprofits
“In early 2022, I set out to do a project that centered equitable and socially just leadership development. Every vendor and design approach had to include an eye towards liberation from socialized ideas of what good leadership looked like. Finding the Practice Space was a true blessing. When researching Public Speaking vendors, AnnMarie was the only person who could concretely answer how to develop public speaking skills in our participants without upholding socialized values that continue to oppress marginalized voices. Our participants left the workshop feeling inspired, confident, and prepared to embrace their true and authentic voice. AnnMarie was a pleasure to work with and the coaches she brought on to support the workshop were spectacular. This is a partnership that I am proud to continue with. AnnMarie’s work has helped us to empower our leaders to liberate themselves from dominant narratives that have silenced them for too long.”
“AnnMarie’s presence on the stage, in small groups, and one-on-one is authentic, engaging, and purposeful. Her ability to think deeply and articulate her inquiry is a model for all organizations wishing to disrupt the status quo.”
Youth Ages 8-12
“Leadership skills that I’ve learned at The Practice Space are communicating with others because if I’m a leader, I need to learn how to communicate with others. I’ve also learned to speak in front of an audience. I feel like when I first started with The Practice Space, every time I would get on a stage, it would feel very unnatural and I would be scared and nervous. It’s okay to feel that way, but it’s a lot easier when you go to places like The Practice Space, who teach you how to be natural at things like that.”
Youth Ages 13-18
“The Practice Space has helped me to be able to share stories with low-stakes and have something to look forward to. My therapist approves.”
“My daughter had a wonderful time at The Practice Space’s Teen Speech & Debate Camp this summer. It was well-organized, with excellent coaching, a warm and encouraging environment, an opportunity to try different disciplines, and a low-pressure exhibition at the end. The commitment to and passion for cultivating young people in developing their voice is evident. My daughter really enjoyed herself and came away with new skills and with a sense of accomplishment. We are grateful!”
“The Practice Space has given me the opportunity to be heard.”
“I like this space because I feel like I can speak my voice here.”
“The Practice Space is there to serve people from all walks of life. Public speaking is present in so many parts of life, from school, to work, to hobbies, to even being around loved ones, and much more. Having a good relationship with public speaking can benefit anyone of any age.”
SCHOOLS (K-12)
"I'm just so pleased with the work that The Practice Space did with my class. Not only was it fun. Not only does it celebrate Hispanic heritage, but it was a really great deep literacy activity. I know they are going to enjoy the performance. I know the parents are going to enjoy their performances, but we had solid, solid practice developing the literacy skills in addition to public speaking. But their reading, their fluency, their confidence, it's all built up.”