The YWCA Delaware is joining over two hundred YWCAs nationwide in launching the Racial Justice Challenge today.
This transformative Challenge, available in English and Spanish, unfolds online over four weeks. As a virtual community, participants will immerse themselves into the timely issues of bodily autonomy, women's financial empowerment (which includes childcare and dependent care), gun violence, and transportation.
Through the YWCA USA Racial Justice Challenge iPhone or Android app or by using the Challenge website, participants can engage with one or all curated articles, podcasts, videos, activities, and discussion boards.
Each Monday, YWCA Delaware hosts its virtual "Let's Talk" panel series from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and discusses the preceding week's topic. Each session provides a platform for Delawareans to share their professional, academic, volunteer, or lived experiences relating to the weekly themes of the Racial Justice Challenge. These discussions aim to elevate community engagement and foster public awareness regarding issues affecting our local communities. The series includes the following guest speakers:
April 8, Let's Talk Reproductive Justice
- Brittany Williams, Founder and CEO of the Black Girl Health Collective
- Mara Gorman, Public Affairs Manager at Planned Parenthood of Delaware
April 15, Let's Talk Women's Financial Empowerment
- Ayanna Khan, Founder, President & CEO of Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce
April 22, Let's Talk Gun Violence
- Mariann Kenville-Moore, Director of Advocacy & Policy at the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Traci Manza Murphy, Executive Director at Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence
- Guest Speaker from The Center for Structural Equity
April 29, Let's Talk Transportation
- La Vaida Owens-White, Board President of Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families
- Marissa McClenton, Environmental Justice Associate Organizer at the Sierra Club, Delaware Chapter
- Sean T. O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware and President of the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA)
Melissa Gonville, CEO of YWCA Delaware said, "It's very inspiring to see so many Delawareans coming together in an inclusive and empathetic space to talk about reproductive decisions, barriers women face to financial empowerment, what we can do to break the cycles of violence, and what a world where freedom of movement is accessible to everyone looks like. This challenge is an opportunity for growth and open to everyone."
The YWCA Racial Justice Challenge is designed to help participants build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.
"This Challenge is an educational and motivational experience that helps us understand that while throughout history certain laws lead to racial inequities, we can come together to build community and realize a world of equity for all," emphasized Becca Cotto, YWCA Delaware Director of Racial and Social Justice.
In tandem with the Challenge, YWCA USA will host a virtual Until Justice Just Is Town Hall: Bridges to Equity on Thursday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m. which will feature a panel of activists, advocates, and YWCA leaders to discuss how they each advance racial equity in their communities, and how you can get involved in bridge-building efforts to help realize a world of equity for all. Click here to register.
Tune in to hear from:
- Adrienne Maree Brown, Writer, Activist, Facilitator, Doula
- Areeba Haider, Senior Executive Administrator & Research Manager, National Partnership for Women and Families
- Francesca Rattray, CEO of YWCA San Antonio
- Nicole R. Robinson, CEO of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
- Joyce Levingston, MA CNP, Executive Director of YWCA Black Hawk County
YWCA Delaware's Racial Justice Challenge partners include, ACLU of Delaware, Archmere Academy, Children and Families First, the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative, the Friendship House, Healthy Communities Delaware, Network Connect, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Delaware Chapter, the Racial Equity Consortium, the United Way of Delaware, Westminster Church, and the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew.
More information about YWCA's Until Justice Just Is campaign can be found at https://www.ywcade.org/racial-justice-challenge.
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