You are invited to join the SCSU Center for Continuing Studies, the Community Anti-Racism Education Initiative (CARE) and the Minnesota Collaborative Anti-Racism Initiative (MCARI) for a two and a half day workshop on dismantling racism in Central Minnesota.
Work with experienced facilitators, explore a common definition of racism, and examine the practical implications of change for individuals, institutions, organizations and our larger community.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop has been designed for public officials, government workers, educators, faith community leadership, business leaders, staff and board members of non-profit organizations, and community members who want to be involved in a process of long-term community transformation.
If you would like to see changes in your institution around the question of racism but don’t know where to start, then you and others in your organization will benefit from this workshop.
Overview
If we want to work on solutions to racism, we need to work from a common definition and understanding of racism. Racism is not just individual race prejudice, bias or bigotry. It is more than individual attitudes and actions. Race prejudice becomes racism when one group’s racial prejudices are enforced by the systems and institutions of the society.
Understanding and Dismantling Racism will provide a framework for individuals to explore anti-racism and to enhance their capacity to participate in multi-cultural collaborations that combat systemic racism. Workshop activities provide a context for institutional accountability to oppressed communities and offer participants the opportunity to become allies in the struggle for racial justice.
Expectations
Participants will:
Meet Your Presenters
Professor Debra Leigh has been on the faculty at St. Cloud State University as the Director of the Dance program for the past 17 years. Leigh is the founder and artistic director for the SCSU Repertory Dance Theater and the Summer Dance Institute. As a Fulbright Scholar, Professor Leigh worked in the community, choreographed, taught and presented dance performances in Indonesia. In South Africa she worked as both a teacher and artist-in-resident, conducting research in Human Rights, reconciliation, dance and HIV/Aides health issues. Prof. Leigh has been involved in community and institutional transformation in Minnesota since 1990. Leigh has served on various art boards, taskforces and organizations including the Council on Black Minnesotans, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the NAACP, the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, Central Minnesota Human Rights Regional Taskforce, Create Community, Multicultural Children’s Art Connection, and the Higher Education Anti-Racism Team. She is one of the co-founders of the Community Anti-Racism Education Initiative (CARE) at St. Cloud State University. Professor Leigh will join the MCARI staff as a trainer for this event.
Mr. R. James Addington is a training and organizational development consultant with the Minnesota Collaborative Anti-Racism Initiative (MCARI). MCARI provides anti-racism consultation and training for Faith-based organizations, non-profit institutions, government agencies and public and private educational institutions. Mr. Addington previously served for eleven years as the Initiative’s co-director. He has 30 years’ experience in local community development, leadership training, organizational development and strategic planning. He spent 10 years outside the United States in a variety of local and regional development projects. This included projects in Jamaica, Venezuela, India, the Philippines, and Nigeria. He served for nine years as the director of the Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota (an advocacy and public policy education arm of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). During this time he was also an adjunct faculty member of Luther Seminary. Mr. Addington is currently a training and curriculum design consultant for Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training (a national anti-racism training and consultation group based in the Chicago area). He previously served on the Board of Crossroads – including a 3-year term as co-chair. In spring 2008, Mr. Addington received the Facing Race Ambassador Award of The Saint Paul Foundation in recognition of his role in efforts to create an anti-racist East Metro community.
Workshop Details
Dates: June 15 - 17, 2011
Time: June 15: 1 pm - 5 pm
June 16 & 17: 8:30 am - 5 pm.
Location: SCSU Welcome Center
355 Fifth Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301
Workshop Flyer (PDF)
Fees
The early bird registration (by 06.01.11) fee is $299.00 per person and includes refreshments, lunch (on June 16 & 17) and workshop materials. Registration after 06.01.11 is $329 per person and includes refreshments, lunch (on June 16 & 17) and workshop materials.
Registration
Registration Form (PDF file)
All registrations are due by one week prior to workshop to allow for an accurate food count. Early registration is encouraged.
To register by phone, please call Charlotte at 320-308-4723. For additional information, contact Gail Ruhland at: gmruhland@stcloudstate.edu.
Note: A confirmation letter, map and workshop preparation materials will be mailed to all registered participants.
Special Accommodations
To ensure full participation in this workshop, please inform us about any dietary requirements or physical challenges which should be addressed prior to your arrival.
Please call if you would like more information or have questions. Contact Gail Ruhland at (320) 308-5759.
St. Cloud State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer.
St. Cloud State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
© 2012 St. Cloud State University