Growing Racial Equity in Northeast Ohio: Continued Awareness & Action
Click here to view the updated digital training sessions.
Groundwater and Phase 1 Workshops presented by the Racial Equity Institute
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is thrilled to partner with ThirdSpace Action Lab to offer a third year of awareness and action. Throughout the Year of Awareness Building, more than 3,000 concerned citizens from across the region have participated in either the half-day Groundwater Training, or the two-day Phase I Workshop presented by the Racial Equity Institute. These intensive introductions to historical, institutional and systemic racism challenge deeply-held assumptions, and reveal—with sobering clarity—the devastating impacts of persistent racial inequality on our nation’s most marginalized populations.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive; and all indications suggest that this paradigm shift has begun to gain traction. However, the Year of Awareness Building was simply a starting point for our continued efforts to embed Racial Equity & Inclusion as a central organizing principle of a holistic approach to community development. To truly accomplish our vision for Cleveland’s neighborhoods, we must ensure that all residents—especially historically disadvantaged members of the community—feel connected to the fabric of their neighborhoods; have equal access to opportunities; and are meaningfully engaged in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Yet there are no quick fixes for racial inequity. Changing the course of history will take time, persistence, creativity, and courage. Furthermore, we understand that this work must be pursued on multiple levels at once—both personally and professionally; institutionally and system-wide. As we uncover and/or create new opportunities to turn Awareness into Action, we will leverage the momentum achieved in 2017, to broaden and strengthen our coalition. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that the Racial Equity Institute will once again facilitate monthly Groundwater Training and Racial Equity Phase I Workshop sessions in 2018.
Through our continued efforts to deepen our understanding of our history, the outcomes of unequal systems, and the language needed to describe with specificity how systemic racism impacts every facet of American life (including our work), we move one step closer to creating a more equitable society.
LATINO CHALLENGES WORKSHOPS
Latino Challenges is a two-day workshop for people who live in or work with Latino communities and are interested in ending racial disparities in our institutions and working together for social justice. Participants engage in a critical analysis of how racism dis-empowers Latinos, hindering both individual well-being and community development. We examine how Latinos have been racialized in the US, as well as the cultural backdrop of race and racism in Latin America that shapes our layered identity today. At the same time, we explore how our particular cultures, identities and histories of struggle are vital sources of strength for individuals and families of Latin American origin in the United States. Further, we directly address how racism is used as a wedge between Latinos and African Americans and undermines the anti-racism movement.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We are currently pursuing sponsorships to help us provide scholarships for 2020 sessions. If you indicated your interest in a scholarship on our website, we will reach out to you as soon as more information is available. If you know of someone else interested in a scholarship, please have them indicate this on the form at 3rdspaceactionlab.co/2020rei.
For more information or questions, please email REI@3rdspaceactionlab.co.
YEAR OF DEEPER AWARENESS AND ACTION (2018)
Click here to view the updated digital training sessions.