Liylah Storm Summers
Minneapolis
Summary
Afro-Colombian and Welsh trans woman facilitator, trainer, and direct action strategist, with 14 years of frontline organizing and a decade of experience in transformative movement education. Specializes in trauma-informed, participatory learning rooted in abolitionist, anticolonial, and land-based frameworks. Deeply committed to collective liberation, anti-oppression practices, and cooperative processes. Skilled facilitator designing and leading interactive curricula that build resilience, strategic power, and safety through joyfully serious learning, roleplay, games, and embodied methodologies.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Curriculum Development Coordinator
NDN Collective – Community Care Program
07.2024 - Current
- Coordinate the development of trauma-informed, land-based training materials in collaboration with community educators and organizers.
- Guide the design and creation of the first Indigenous-specific Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course on Turtle Island.
- Partner to integrate decolonial frameworks and interactive methods into popular and political education curricula, fostering a movement-rooted learning experience.
Facilitator & Trainer
S.A.S.S. Series (Special Assets Safety & Security)
09.2021 - 09.2023
- Facilitated tactical safety and security training sessions for frontline communities, empowering participants with practical skills to navigate high-risk environments.
- Led comprehensive modules on threat modeling, de-escalation techniques, strategic readiness, and physical security, enhancing community resilience and preparedness.
Facilitator, Trainer, Mentor
Namewag Camp (Stop Line 3)
02.2021 - 09.2021
- Trained over a thousand participants in land- and water-based direct action and movement strategy during a high-capacity frontline camp.
- Supported trauma-informed, community-rooted facilitation and political education.
- Coordinated daily safety and security infrastructure to support collective care and responsiveness.
- Mentored emerging leaders and trainers through Train-the-Trainer programs, fostering skill development, facilitation readiness, and leadership confidence.
Facilitator, Trainer, Mentor
L’eau Est La Vie Camp (Stop Bayou Bridge)
02.2018 - 10.2018
- Taught tactical powerboat operations and water safety for water-based direct action.
- Mentored and trained organizers in tactical and facilitation skills, supporting Black and Indigenous movement leadership through intentional skills transfer and relational organizing.
- Participated in a post-campaign West Coast tour to share learnings, support cross-movement dialogue, and present a documentary film about the campaign.
Kayak Trainer
Break Free Pacific Northwest
03.2016 - 05.2016
- Led kayak safety and direct action trainings for fossil fuel blockade mobilizations.
- Supported tactical planning and coordinated on-water logistics in high-risk action scenarios.
Additional Facilitation & Training Experience
- Delivered numerous trainings and workshops on movement strategy, campaign planning and oppositional research, safety, direct action and more, spanning 14 years of frontline organizing.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Education
University of Alaska
AKSkills
Facilitation and Education
- Facilitation and design of popular and political education programs
- Curriculum development and interactive learning
- Anti-oppression and trauma-informed facilitation
- Mentorship and leadership development
- Gamified and experiential methodologies
Organizing & Group Processes
- Consensus decision-making and group process
- Strategic direct action planning (land- and water-based)
- Tactical caravans
- Stages of pipeline construction (educational module)
- Jail support & post-action care
Safety, Security & Communications
- Security culture
- Threat modeling, risk assessment, and scenario mapping
- Radio communications
- Scouting
- Water safety and boat operations
References
- Ivette Casa Mercados, Community Care Team Director, NDN Collective, Alas@ndncollective.org
- Ben Jones, Communications Director, 350 Seattle, Ben@350seattle.org
Timeline
Curriculum Development Coordinator
NDN Collective – Community Care Program
07.2024 - Current
Facilitator & Trainer
S.A.S.S. Series (Special Assets Safety & Security)
09.2021 - 09.2023
Facilitator, Trainer, Mentor
Namewag Camp (Stop Line 3)
02.2021 - 09.2021
Facilitator, Trainer, Mentor
L’eau Est La Vie Camp (Stop Bayou Bridge)
02.2018 - 10.2018
Kayak Trainer
Break Free Pacific Northwest
03.2016 - 05.2016
Additional Facilitation & Training Experience
Some College (No Degree) - Education
University of Alaska