Partners for a Racism-Free Community

Michigan Nightlight: In your view, what makes your program innovative, effective or remarkable?
Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) Executive Director Lisa Mitchell: As a small nonprofit organization, the Partners for a Racism-Free Community program effort focuses completely on eliminating racism to make the greater Grand Rapids area a successful and thriving community where everyone -- including young people -- feels welcomed.
 
Volunteers committed to the work of eliminating racism knew that having an annual summit on racism, which the Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism has provided for a decade, wouldn’t solely change racial equity in our community. So,

The best lesson learned in this past year is that businesses, including not-for-profit organizations, are hungry for information and education on diversity, inclusion and cultural competence.

they designed an assessment and credentialing process for organizations to intentionally examine their racism-free behavior – and they give us feedback on how it helps them implement what they want to accomplish. Among partnering organizations that have completed the program are Kent Intermediate School District and Calvin College.  
 
What was the best lesson learned in the past year?
The best lesson learned in this past year is that businesses, including not-for-profit organizations, are hungry for information and education on diversity, inclusion and cultural competence. This is the first step to take in eliminating racism in schools, youth organizations, workplaces and more.
 
What was the hardest lesson learned in the past year?
That our assessment and credentialing program is a lengthy process that, since it is not prescriptive, is often more time consuming than organizations thought it would be, and they are having trouble with measurements and results. We have since fine-tuned the original document and added sample outcomes, sample indicators, and sample measurement tools. We are also adjusting the orientation process so that organizations can ask more in-depth questions and be more prepared for its process.
 
What really differentiates this program? 
While there are tools on creating an inclusive environment, there are none as in-depth as the Partners for a Racism-Free Community’s assessment program. There are none that have accountability processes built in -- and none examine every aspect of the structure of an organization with the same diligence and intentionality. If schools, colleges and other organizations are truly are committed to creating a racism-free environment, this process will enable them to do that.
 
What are the keys to success for your program?

Partners for a Racism-Free Community seeks to enhance dozens of initiatives -- including the youth-centered initiatives that already work to overcome the racial divide among greater Grand Rapids area children.

We already have a successful, multi-pronged approach to generating and sustaining revenue in place. We do need to build upon them, reaching more organizations, corporations, foundations and individuals, to sustain and generate even more streams of revenue. 
 
Another is that our assessment and credentialing program can be replicated anywhere in the world. It is appropriate for educational facilities, large, small, not-for-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, or any other structured organization. We feel the time is right for organizations to pursue this work.
 
Specifically, how does the Partners for a Racism-Free Community movement impact children?
As committed people, we aspire to achieve a standard of excellence in racial equality, choosing to become identified with others of a like mind in order to create the critical mass necessary for community transformation. This transformation impacts all of us, especially the future for our children.
 
Partners for a Racism-Free Community promotes a color-rich presence in all sectors and age brackets in the community, including young people. As a community catalyst, Partners for a Racism-Free Community seeks to enhance dozens of initiatives -- including the youth-centered initiatives that already work to overcome the racial divide among greater Grand Rapids area children.
 
Specifically, the Partners for a Racism-Free Community movement will impact the entire community, including children, as we assist organizations to look at themselves with a racial equity lens.