Day 21: Take Action in Your Community

Congratulations on completing the United Way Racial Equity Challenge. We are thankful that you have come along with us on this journey and made time to learn and reflect on topics of racial equity. We know these conversations and the feelings they evoke are not always easy but making space for brave dialogue is one of many actions we must take to dismantle systems of oppression. We challenge each of you to share a reflection on your experience with a family member, friend, or co-worker to continue the momentum from this challenge.

Please take a moment to share your feedback with this Post Challenge Survey.
As a reminder, all the equity challenge content can be accessed in the Racial Equity Challenge Catalogue on our website.

Today’s Challenge

The real challenge begins now. Here is a list of local resources to support you in continuing your racial equity work both internally and out in your community.

Battle Creek/Kalamazoo

• The Truth & Titus Collective is dedicated to fostering, co-creating, and sustaining organizational change with equity at the core. They provide equity and inclusion training on a long-term basis, equipping you with tools, knowledge, and support to move toward being a more equitable, intersectional organization. Their work is grounded in research, relationships, and love, putting the communities you serve at the center of your work.
• ERACCE – The mission of ERACCE is to eliminate systemic racism and build antiracist multicultural diversity within Michigan institutions by providing education, networking, technical assistance, and supportive resources to the region.
• Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation is committed to creating a broad movement to collectively face issues of privilege, race, and bias in Battle Creek. Battle Creek TRHT works to engage community members in dialogue to broaden perspectives, build trust, and promote racial equity. Follow their Facebook page for ways to get involved.
• Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Kalamazoo, hosted by Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF), is a community-based movement to bring about transformational and sustainable change to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism. Follow their Facebook page for upcoming events and public meetings.
• Connect with our local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) of Battle Creek/Kalamazoo. SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. SURJ works to connect people across the country while supporting and collaborating with local and national racial justice organizing efforts, and provides a space to build relationships, skills and political analysis to act for change.
• Visit Disability Network Southwest Michigan’s website for virtual webinars covering topics including Tips for Online Meetings for People with Disabilities, Disability Language and Etiquette, and Abelism 101. Additionally, their Community Education program offers presentations for your group or organization to help everyone better understand disability
• For over 30 years, OutFront Kalamazoo has worked to advance social justice, build coalitions, change hearts and open minds so that all people in southwest Michigan can live authentically and free from discrimination – regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Visit their website for LGBTQ+ resources, local events, and more. Visit their Trainings & Speakers page to learn about their offered LGBTQ+ Workplace Diversity and Inclusivity Trainings and LGBTQ+ Speakers Panels.
• Visit Battle Creek Pride‘s website for LGBTQ+ resources in the BC area.
• Kalamazoo Public Library’s OnePlace for free and open to the public, workshops on professional and personal development.
• Willard Library’s event calendar for community events and conversations.

Jackson

• Jackson Pride Center- has local LGBTQ resources like legal and civil rights, health services, LGBTQ BIPOC resources, etc. https://jacksonpridecenter.org/local-resources-1
• Jackson Public Library frequently hosts relevant cultural conversations. Keep an eye on their calendar here: https://jacks-cep.bc.sirsidynix.net/events/
• Disability Connections is one of Jackson’s local resources to “advance the independence, productivity and full inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in our communities…” https://www.disabilityconnect.org/mission
• Region 2 Area Agency on Aging works to improve conditions affecting the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities. They help identify concerns and develop a comprehensive and coordinated network of services to help our clients function as independently and safely as possible in their homes and communities. https://r2aaa.net/
• Practice allyship. Seek to understand what it feels like for another person or group to be oppressed, despite knowing you will never fully understand how it feels, and commit yourself to valuing and supporting people who are marginalized. Read The Work Of Allyship and Guidelines For Being A Strong White Ally.
• Shift the way you talk about others. Creating equitable outcomes requires that we change the way we talk about members of our community, focusing on their aspirations rather than their challenges-this is called asset-framing.

Lansing

• Lend a hand by volunteering in your community. Find an in person or virtual volunteer project or nonprofit service project that fits your schedule by visiting United Way of South Central Michigan-Capital Area Volunteer Center.
• Take action on a civil rights issue that you care about through the ACLU of Michigan.
• Explore the Michigan Department of Civil Rights – Racial Equity Toolkit and identify an action to take in your community or organization.
• Exercise your right to vote and help others to do the same. Register to vote here, request ballot to vote absentee here, and sign up to be an election worker here.
• Commit your time and talent to Michigan United, which organizes to build the power communities need to win the justice they deserve.