[St. Louis] Building Racial Equity: Foundations - In Person

Commemorating Ferguson: A Decade of Reflection and Action

Calling all St. Louis locals committed to change – join Race Forward for our first in-person training since the pandemic!

We are happy to offer Building Racial Equity Foundations, a training designed for individuals eager to sharpen their skills and strategies to address systemic racism and advance racial equity.

As we mark the 10-year anniversary of the Ferguson uprisings following the M**der of Mike Brown, this training holds particular significance. Over the past decade, the St. Louis community and communities across the U.S. more broadly have witnessed profound challenges and transformations, highlighting the urgent need for a deeper understanding of systemic racism and collective action towards equity. We are honored for the chance to build on the ongoing legacy of racial equity work in St. Louis, and hope you will join us.

This training will delve into the history of systemic racism in St. Louis, unpacking its impact on the community and providing a platform for participants to discuss local issues. We will introduce essential concepts, frames, and tools for engaging in principled racial equity work. In this session, you will gain invaluable insights into the structures that perpetuate racial inequities and discover effective strategies to combat them. Participants will enhance their racial equity practices for themselves, their organizations, and their networks. By connecting historical contexts with current realities, we aim to empower participants to become agents of change in their own communities.

This is not just another training. It's a call to action for those who are committed to racial justice. By participating, you will be joining a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to making a tangible difference. Together, we will explore strategies to challenge and change institutional racial inequities, ensuring that our efforts lead to lasting, meaningful change.

Training Components:

• Racial Justice Values and Vision
• Key Concepts: Different Dimensions of Racism
• Systemic Analysis
• Countering Implicit Bias
• Opportunities to Advance Racial Equity

Participants will:

• Build a clear understanding of key racial equity concepts.
• Learn to talk about race constructively within their organizations and with their constituents.
• Gain tools and practices for counteracting racial bias in their work and practices.
• Identify opportunities and next steps for applying concepts and strategies to advance racial equity.

We invite you to register for Building Racial Equity Foundations and be part of this transformative journey. Share this opportunity with friends, family, colleagues, and anyone who is passionate about creating a more just and equitable St. Louis. Your participation and advocacy are crucial in building the momentum needed to drive systemic change.

FYI! This training is also part of a series of events we will host in St. Louis this year. We hope you consider joining us for:

• Race Forward and Americans for the Arts will host the kick-off event for the national - Friday, September 27th from 6-10pm at The Hawthorn in St. Louis. You can look forward to an evening of performances, arts and culture, and conversation. We’ll discuss how people are leveraging arts and culture to expand our understanding of democracy and racial justice, and new possibilities for a collective future that centers our values. And we’ll preview what’s to come over the week of action by highlighting ways that local communities are engaging in this exciting inaugural initiative.
• And be sure to come back from November 20-22 to join us for , the nation’s largest multiracial, intergenerational racial justice conference at the America’s Center Convention Complex. This one-of-a-kind space serves as a vital intersection where community organizers, activists, and movement makers converge to build power and strategies to advance racial justice.

FAQ

Access Needs

If you are registering for this event and have any access needs please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/PjFMZA2bYVkJZH6JA. We can offer ASL interpreters upon request.

Scholarships:

Scholarships are available for grassroots organizers and community organizations interested in attending our trainings. Apply here: https://forms.gle/82yieAu8cKBgbhbx9

Covid-19

As Covid-19 continues to disproportionately impact the health and well being of the most marginalized communities, we plan to ask participants to take thoughtful precautions to prevent spread when joining us for this in-person session. Details to be announced closer to the date.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Deaconess Foundation, 1000 North Vandeventer Avenue, St. Louis, United States