73.6%
of employees in reviewed workplace studies experienced microaggressions.1
Inclusiveness begins with action.
Make the invisible visible.
The Macro Movement helps middle and high school students recognize microaggressions, understand their impact, and respond with confidence.
Student-led presentations
About the movement
Built by students, for students.
The Macro Movement was created to make conversations about microaggressions clearer, more practical, and more approachable for young people. Our presentations help students move beyond simply hearing the term and toward recognizing real situations, understanding different perspectives, and knowing how to respond.
Microaggressions can be subtle. Their impact is not.
Microaggressions are subtle words, actions, or behaviors that communicate prejudice or exclusion. While a single incident may seem small, repeated microaggressions accumulate over time, contributing to chronic stress, anxiety, and diminished well-being.
We give students the language and tools to recognize these moments, understand their impact, and respond productively.
Why this matters
Small moments, lasting effects.
Microaggressions are easy to dismiss in the moment. The research on what they leave behind is not.
18,000+
participants across research linking greater microaggression exposure to higher anxiety, depression, and stress.2
141studies
find repeated microaggressions associated with poorer mental and physical health and worse workplace outcomes.1
- Costa et al. (2023). Microaggressions: Mega Problems or Micro Issues? A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Community Psychology. Meta-analysis of 141 studies (154 independent samples).
- Lui et al. (2019). Associations Between Microaggression and Adjustment Outcomes: A Meta-Analytic and Narrative Review. Psychological Bulletin. Meta-analysis of 72 studies (18,718 participants).
What we teach
Recognize. Understand. Respond.
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01
Recognize.
Identify microaggressions in everyday school and social situations.
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02
Understand.
Explore the assumptions behind them and why their impact can differ from their intent.
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03
Respond.
Practice constructive ways to speak up, ask questions, and support others.
Built to be trusted
Backed by more than good intentions.
Our curriculum was created by our own student team and grounded in published research. In every presentation we teach the RAVEN method—a five-step framework from CORA Learning's research—so students leave with a concrete way to respond, not just an understanding of the problem. Building on established research is our peer review: an outside, evidence-based standard that keeps what we teach credible.
In partnership with the San Jose City Council
The RAVEN method
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Redirect
Redirect the conversation or interaction.
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Ask
Ask probing questions.
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Values
Clarify the values at play.
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Emphasize
Emphasize your own thoughts.
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Next steps
Offer concrete next steps.
Our impact
One class.
Measurable change.
Drawn from a pool of 80 students, anonymous surveys conducted immediately before and after a Macro Movement presentation show a substantial shift in students’ reported understanding and preparedness.
Result 01
Understanding microaggressions
Percentage of respondents who rated their understanding a 4 or 5 out of 5.
Before the session, 9.1 percent, or 5 of 55 respondents, selected 4 or 5. After the session, 86.7 percent, or 39 of 45 respondents, selected 4 or 5. This is a 77.6 percentage-point change.
Percentage-point change+77.6
Result 02
Knowing how to respond
Percentage of respondents who rated their ability to confront a microaggression a 4 or 5 out of 5.
Before the session, 3.6 percent, or 2 of 55 respondents, selected 4 or 5. After the session, 73.3 percent, or 33 of 45 respondents, selected 4 or 5. This is a 69.7 percentage-point change.
Percentage-point change+69.7
Methodology: Based on anonymous pre-session and post-session surveys. Pre-session n=55; post-session n=45. Percentages show respondents selecting 4 or 5 on a five-point scale. The surveys were not individually matched.
100
Students reached
14
Schools onboarded
12
States & countries
Where we've launched
- Montgomery Bell AcademyNashville, TN
- Calvert Hall College High SchoolBaltimore, MD
- Pace AcademyAtlanta, GA
- North Broward Preparatory SchoolParkland, FL
- Mississippi School for Math & ScienceColumbus, MS
- Washburn Rural High SchoolTopeka, KS
- Blue Valley North High SchoolKansas City, KS
- LASAAustin, TX
- New Trier High SchoolChicago, IL
- Park City High SchoolPark City, UT
- Archbishop Mitty High SchoolSan Jose, CA
- Leland High SchoolSan Jose, CA
- Leigh High SchoolSan Jose, CA
- Taipei Fuhsing Private SchoolTaipei, Taiwan
For schools
Designed for real classrooms.
Flexible formats make it possible to start the conversation in the setting that works for your students.
Request Workshop Details- Grades
- Middle and high school
- Formats
- Classroom presentation, assembly, or student-group workshop
- Length
- Details coming soon
- Delivery
- Details coming soon
- Group size
- Details coming soon
- Cost
- Details coming soon
What students experience
A presentation students participate in—not just sit through.
01
Realistic scenarios
Students discuss examples based on situations they may encounter at school or socially.
Guided discussion
Presenters create space for questions, different viewpoints, and reflection.
Interactive learning
Polls, activities, and group exercises keep students engaged.
04
Practical response tools
Students practice what they can say when they experience or witness a microaggression.
Our team
Meet the people behind the movement.
Led by students for students.
Hanbo Song
Founder / President
Nolan Watts
Director of Operations
Austin Yoo
Director of Programs
Justin Chang
Director of Curriculum
Kabeer Kochar
Director of Marketing
Colin Bauman
Director of Outreach
Start a conversation
Bring The Macro Movement to your school.
Interested in hosting a presentation, classroom workshop, or student discussion? Tell us about your school and what you are looking for.